Steph improves mood, mental health, weight loss on carnivore diet

Steph switched to a carnivore diet six months ago and has noticed remarkable improvements in both her mental and physical health. “An all-meat diet has changed me as a person drastically!”

Steph transitioned to a carnivore diet after following a ketogenic diet. A standard “keto” diet focuses on macronutrient ratios, typically allowing for no more than 10 percent of the day’s calories from carbohydrates, 20 percent from protein, and 70 percent from fat. The keto diet works by changing the body’s energy source from carbs to fat by placing the body into a state of ketosis. Fat is released from cells and turned into ketones which the body uses for fuel.

The carnivore diet works similarly by eliminating virtually all carbohydrates present in plant foods. Once Steph switched to eating only meat, she saw even better results. She has lost 50 pounds of fat but still “has a long way to go in the weight department.”

“My mind is what has gotten me through these first six months!” Steph is amazed at how much her mental health has improved in a relatively short time on a carnivore diet. “I’ve had depression and anxiety since I was a child,” she notes, and recalls being “scared to talk to people.”

Throughout her life, Steph struggled with suicide three separate times. “I should have been medicated, but I hated the numb feeling.”

Steph also describes her years-long battle with an eating disorder. “I was bulimic for 15 years. I would binge and purge every day at least twice a day. I never thought that would be something I could ever heal from.” Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that can be life-threatening. Binging on large amounts of food is often associated with a loss of control and is typically followed by trying to “purge” the extra calories by vomiting or taking laxatives. Consequences usually include severe nutrient deficiency, weakness, digestive issues, and damaged tooth enamel.

As with any mental health condition, anyone suffering from an eating disorder should always speak with their doctor to discuss treatment options and address any resulting complications. Revero members are encouraged to bring mental health concerns and serious health conditions to the attention of a Revero coach or doctor. In Steph’s case, following a carnivore diet has helped her find healing and support. “I have not had an emotional outburst or a bulimic episode in the six months of eating nothing but meat!”

While it is difficult to pinpoint a direct cause of mental illness, many people who follow a low-carb ketogenic diet or a zero-carb carnivore diet report improvements in their mental health. One theory is that mental illness shows up as inflammation of the brain, and a diet that eliminates sugar and plant foods can effectively reduce inflammation in the entire body.

While following a carnivore diet is generally regarded as safe, it’s important to bring any mental health concerns under the advisement of a qualified medical professional.

For Steph, eating only animal products has changed her health for the better, and she says she is “not looking back!”