Craig’s Journey Towards a Mostly Carnivore Diet
Craig, 33, was able to shed 30 pounds and curb his cravings for alcohol while following a mostly carnivore diet and incorporating fasting and intermittent fasting over three months.
Beginning his journey three months ago at 5’9” and 235 pounds, Craig discovered videos from Dr. Jason Fung on fasting and Joe Rogan’s famous podcast interview with Dr. Shawn Baker. “It really got me thinking.
I have always enjoyed eating meat. I had tried to lose weight with low-fat and low-carb diets. I was successful for a few months, but would rebound on and off over the last ten years. I ended up putting back on all of the weight.”
The Influence of Fasting and Intermittent Fasting
Three months ago, Craig decided to incorporate fasting and intermittent fasting into a diet of 80% meat. He included carnivore foods like beef, eggs, and bacon, but still enjoyed macadamia nuts and a limited number of vegetables. He’s been gradually inching more towards carnivore, and estimates about 90% of his diet now is animal-based.
Unexpected Effects of the Diet on Alcohol Cravings
Craig noticed an interesting side effect of making the shift to animal-based foods that he certainly wasn’t expecting. “I had been a pretty big drinker”, he shares. “I wouldn’t consider myself an alcoholic by any means, but I typically would drink most days of the week.”
This routine had been going on since Craig was in his early twenties, and he wasn’t looking to cut back on his intake when he switched his diet. “I was able to regain control of my actions and my appetite, and the craving for alcohol, a cold beer or a shot, just went away.”
The combination of fasting and focusing on animal-based food allowed Craig to focus on satisfying his hunger with nutrient-dense food from animals, and as a result, he noticed a direct effect on his desire to drink. “After a 72-hour fast, the last thing I was thinking about was drinking!”
While he still occasionally will have some drinks with friends on the weekend, he says he no longer craves beer in the afternoon as he had for many years before. “The cravings for alcohol just disappeared, it was very easy to just drop it,” he explains. “That did not happen when I was eating a low-fat diet or eating a handful of almonds six times a day.”
Success on the Carnivore Diet and Future Plans
Craig’s first three months on the carnivore diet have been a success so far. “I’ve lost 30 pounds and am hovering at 205 pounds. I just got back from vacation, and while I gained a couple of pounds, as soon as I came back, I fasted and the extra weight just flew off!”
Besides being overweight, Craig didn’t have any health conditions prior to carnivore. A recent blood test did not raise any concern from his doctors, beyond the typical nutrition advice to eat a balanced diet that includes fruit, grains, and vegetables.
However, Craig plans to continue the carnivore diet with fasting, as the results have been great for him so far. “I feel strong and healthy, and I’m sleeping great now. I feel amazing! It’s a very powerful feeling to be in control of your appetite.”
