"Carnivore Diet" – The Dangerous Nutrition Trend

New nutrition trends constantly emerge on social media, promising everything from health benefits to the "dream body." One current hype, which almost seems like a counter-movement in times of growing awareness about the environment and animal welfare, is the so-called "Carnivore Diet"—a diet based solely on animal products.

But how healthy can a diet be that completely eliminates vegetables, fruits, and other plant-based foods?

What Is the "Carnivore Diet"?

The "Carnivore Diet" focuses on consuming meat and other animal products such as eggs, butter, and certain dairy products. Followers of this diet completely avoid plant-based foods, often arguing that the human body is naturally designed for such a way of eating. Excessive meat consumption is justified by a supposedly "lost natural way of eating," as humans have always been hunters. With this perception, the diet positions itself as the opposite of plant-based nutrition like veganism, which is often devalued in this community as unnatural.

One of the most well-known proponents is the controversial fitness influencer Liver King, who promoted a radical "ancestral" diet for years—only to later admit that he also took performance-enhancing steroids. Other influencers in the fitness and biohacking scene also market the "Carnivore Diet" as a cure for various ailments, often without scientific evidence.

The Trend on Social Media

Social media plays a crucial role in the success of this diet. On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the "Carnivore Diet" is promoted by various influencers. They share success stories, post pictures of lavish meat-based meals, and report supposed health benefits such as weight loss, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

The hashtag #CarnivoreDiet now has over a million posts on Instagram and TikTok. Particularly popular are extreme followers of the movement who claim that eliminating plant-based foods has cured autoimmune diseases, depression, or even cancer—but there is no scientific proof for these claims. Critical voices often struggle in this dogmatic online community.

While followers often argue that nutrition is highly individual when faced with criticism, many of them seem to take a missionary approach when trying to convince others to adopt this way of eating. This lack of critical discussion makes the trend so dangerous, as personal experiences are presented as absolute truths to an easily influenced audience.

Scientific Perspective and Health Risks

Nutrition experts are skeptical about the "Carnivore Diet." A diet that consists exclusively of animal products can lead to severe nutrient deficiencies, as essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber—normally obtained from plant-based sources—are entirely absent.
Another issue is the high intake of saturated fats and cholesterol, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. A particularly alarming risk is the development of kidney stones, as a meat-heavy diet raises uric acid levels.

A case study describes a 61-year-old man who developed recurring kidney stones after following the "Carnivore Diet" for several years, requiring multiple medical procedures. Other potential health risks being discussed in scientific research include a lack of fiber, disturbances in gut microbiota, and an increased cancer risk.

A 23-year-old woman from the U.S. also followed the diet’s principles—until she suddenly woke up with severe pain and blood in her urine. Doctors diagnosed kidney issues, likely caused by excessive protein intake and nutrient deficiencies.
Despite such cases, the carnivore community largely remains uncritical. Incidents like these are often dismissed as a "misapplication" of the diet, even though experts emphasize that these health complications can be a direct result of such an extreme way of eating.

Beware of Extreme Diet Trends

The "Carnivore Diet" is the perfect example of how trends on social media work: an idea is simplified, promoted with dramatic success stories, and ultimately presented as the ultimate solution—often without considering scientific facts or potential health risks.
The diet is marketed as a quick fix for weight loss and better health, but scientific evidence suggests significant health risks rather than long-term benefits.
Of course, nutrition is highly individual, but extreme diets like the "Carnivore Diet" should be critically examined.

A balanced and diverse diet is generally the best foundation for long-term health. Anyone serious about their nutrition should avoid being influenced by TikTok trends and instead rely on scientifically proven information.

Photo by Nico Smit via Unsplash