From Perimenopause to Powerful
At 53 years old, Rachel has discovered a new lease on life through the carnivore diet. Her journey began around age 41 when perimenopausal symptoms started appearing. “Each year, I added another symptom, and I put on a considerable amount of weight. My hormones were all over the place,” Rachel explains. She spent years following menopausal specialists online, trying to find natural solutions while diving deep into biohacking and various health protocols.
Before discovering carnivore, Rachel’s nutrition consisted mainly of whole foods. She grew her own vegetables and generally avoided processed foods. However, she admits, “What was bad was the fact that I drank quite a lot of alcohol, especially during lockdown.”
The First Step: Goodbye Alcohol
Rachel’s transformation began in April 2022 when she decided to quit drinking. “I used to drink to forget about how awful I felt. I was tired, just sick of everything. I’d have a few glasses of wine each night and then basically blackout most of the time,” she recalls.
What started as a one-week break from alcohol turned into a permanent lifestyle change. “That is honestly the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m so glad I did it, and I really recommend it to anyone, especially perimenopausal women. You don’t need the drink. You really don’t.”
The Carnivore Revelation
In January 2024, Rachel decided to try World Carnivore Month after following carnivore content online. Prior to that, she had already been following a low-carb approach and had lost some weight.
“I had a DNA test done which showed I had a sensitivity to carbohydrates. Had I known this years ago, I probably would have been fine,” she says. The test results confirmed what her body was already telling her through the success she was experiencing on carnivore.
Fat: The Missing Piece
One of Rachel’s biggest revelations was embracing dietary fat. “I always had this thing in my head where if it’s fat, I’m going to get fat. I lived with that all my life,” she admits. Initially on carnivore, she wasn’t choosing fatty cuts of meat.
“I used to see people eating butter, and I used to think that is just grim. When I actually tried a spoonful of butter, my mouth was watering. I thought, ‘I need to have more fat.'” Adding more fat to her diet has dramatically improved her mood. “I just feel happier. I’ve got more joy.”
Freedom from Food Obsession
One unexpected benefit of carnivore has been Rachel’s liberation from food fixation. “I’m not hungry on carnivore. I haven’t been hungry at all, not to the point where I get rumbly tummies anymore. Sometimes I don’t even eat. I just go through the day and just eat at night.”
She observes how others still experience intense pleasure from food choices. “I see people’s faces when they’re looking at different foods, and I see joy in their face. I haven’t got that anymore. My life is not revolving around food anymore. It’s not like a party anymore.”
The Physical Transformation
Rachel’s physical changes have been remarkable. “I’ve worked out with weights for quite a long time. Back in 2017, I had a home gym built. I’ve been doing it a long time, and I’ve never seen any muscles until probably this year—like decent sized muscles.”
She adds, “That was just from losing all the actual fat. I can see them now. Finally, it’s paid off.” Rachel notes that she’s now quite tiny and is focusing on building more muscle.
The Health Revolution
The list of health improvements Rachel has experienced is extensive. Her previously bloated stomach is now flat. “I looked pregnant most of the time. Always constipated. Always. I used to eat tons of vegetables, tons of fiber, and I used to take constipation medication.”
After switching to carnivore, everything changed. “Now I’ve got no bloating. I go to the toilet definitely once a day, sometimes twice. There’s no forcing it. No pain.”
Her perimenopausal symptoms have improved dramatically. “Three to four months into carnivore, my periods came back,” she notes with surprise. Her thin, dry hair has been replaced with new growth and softness. Her formerly flaky skin is now smooth, her constantly splitting nails are now strong, and her energy levels have soared.
Looking Forward
After one year on the carnivore diet, Rachel has no plans to change her approach. She tried adding a few berries to yogurt but experienced an immediate negative reaction. “My throat just almost closed over. I thought, it’s not worth it.”
She now focuses primarily on ruminant meats—beef, lamb, and venison—along with eggs and some dairy. “I drink quite a lot of milk, and I add collagen to my milk as well for extra protein.”
For Rachel, the carnivore diet has been transformative, addressing everything from hormonal issues to physical appearance to emotional well-being. “I would definitely recommend it to any woman in their forties, or even younger, to definitely try it because it works.”
