No Carbs, No Cravings, No Pain: 30 Days on the Carnivore Diet

By Rob Shaul, Founder

BLUF:

This has been both the most restrictive—and the easiest—diet I’ve ever tried.

In 30 days, I’ve:

• Lost 12 pounds
• Significantly reduced chronic joint pain (I’m 57)
• Eliminated cravings and constant food “noise”
• Eaten less overall—without ever feeling hungry
• Maintained strength and endurance
• Experienced no digestive issues, fatigue, or brain fog

I feel great and plan to continue.

Background

The “Carnivore” diet is a low-carb, restrictive eating plan that allows animial-based food exclusively: 

• Red meat (beef is often the centerpiece)
• Organ meats (like liver or kidney)
• Animal fats (including tallow, butter, etc.)
• Fish and seafood
• Eggs
• Sometimes dairy (depending on the version)
• Salt and water (the only non-animal additions typically allowed)

It excludes all plant-based foods, including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Some stricter followers even avoid coffee, spices, or dairy altogether, whereas others may include limited amounts of those.

Dr. Shawn Baker, an orthopedic surgeon, popularlized the diet beginning in 2016 via social media, and published the book, “The Carnivore Diet” in 2019. 

I first heard about it from Dr. Jordan Peterson on a podcast years ago. He and his daughter reported that the Carnivore Diet significantly helped with autoimmune and mental health conditions. 

However, even before that I remember reading Gary Taubes’ book, “Good Calories, Bad Calories” and his passage about Vilhjalmur Stefansson, an arctic explorer who spent extended periods in the early 1900s living with Inuits in the Candian Arctic and eating their meat-and-fat-only diet of seal meat, caribou, fish, blubber and dried meat. This was essentially a zero-carb diet, and Sefansson reported thriving on the diet with no vitamin deficiencies, no scurvy, and excellent physical and mental health. “When I lived on a diet of meat and water in the Arctic,” Stefansson wrote, “I had no constipation, no headaches, no colds. I felt better than I ever have before.” 

In 2020 podcaster Joe Rogan, inspired by Dr. Baker, tried the Carnivore diet for 30 days. He had issues for the first two weeks, including “explosive diarrhea” … but those symptoms faded away and at the end of the period he had lost 12 pounds, and “I started feeling amazing.” However, he didn’t remain on the diet. 

Why I Started

I’m never afraid to try new diets and in the past have tried a protein-shake only diet for 3 weeks, the Whole 30 diet, Keto (didn’t work for me), and most recently, my Metabolic Slowdown Protein Shake Diet – which is essentially 1 normal meal a day, and all other meals ar low carb, whey protein protein shakes.

Until starting Carnivore, I’d continued with the Metaboilic Slowdown Protein Shake Diet but found my weight still creeping up. As well, I often felt hungry and had to fight constant cravings, primarily those great tasting carbs and sugar which are hard to pass up. 

So, a month ago, on a long drive I listened so another 50-year hold who spoke praise about the Carnivore Diet and I decided right then to give it a go, and I haven’t a vegetable or fruit since then.ention.

What I Eat

It’s interesting that there are so many Carnivore influencers on social media because there’s not much to the diet and not much variety on the menu. 

Dr. Baker recommends eating fatty meat (steak, ground beef) mostly, and supplementing with eggs and a little dairy if your gut can take it. Salt and pepper for seasoning. 

There is no calorie counting. Eat to saity. 

Some influencers eat sticks of butter to up their fat intake, but I haven’t – and feel fine. My typical meal is two hamber patties topped with chase, and 4 over-easy eggs. This is what I had for breakfast today at 0930. It’s currently 1500 and I haven’t eaten anything else today. 

I’ve had just steak for dinner or a meal, which has been fine, but usually I’ll have scrambeld or over-easy eggs as well as beef. 

Tonight for dinner I plan on some flank steak and more eggs. 

It’s the most simple diet ever. 

I supplement with some electrolytes after a big endurance effort, and I take a multi-vitamin daily – just to be sure I don’t get scurvy! 

I also drink coffee with heavy cream, and diet coke (I know …), and water.

My Experience

Joint pain reduction was immediate. As I understand it, carbs are inflammatory and could have been causing the knee, low back, hip, ankle and shoulder joint pain I’d surrendered to as an inevitable part of growing old. The pain is down significantly since starting Carnivore. 

I’ve lost 12 pounds, with no loss in max effort strength, and an increase in relative strength.

I haven’t experienced any diarrhea. From what I understand is that people new to the diet who eat a lot of fat and this can cause loose stools. When I tried the Keto diet I ate a lot of avacados and butter and it didn’t sit well with me – so I avoided that this time, and haven’t had any issues. 

As well – I haven’t experienced constipation. I visit the John every morning, but just once per day – unlike previously when I’d need 2-3 visits per day. My understanding is a lot of the fiber in vegetables can’t be digested and must be flushed often as waste product. 

Energy overall has been normal or up. I do get the early afternoon fog and need my afternoon cup of coffee, but other than that, my energy has been good. 

I am sleeping less. Normally I sleep between 5-6 hours/night, but now, on Carnivore, I’m getting 4-5 hours/night regularly and keeping my regular training and work schedule. 

Training-wise, I’m doing MTI’s Polar GenX programming – long slow endurance combined with max effort strength – often in 2-a-day sessions. I’m currently at 90 minutes of endurance, and 30 minutes in the gym. I train continous days in a row until my body or schedule gets in the way – usually 6 or 7.

The decrease in food cravings and food “noise” has been most unexpected and pleasantly surprising.. Previously, it was difficult to walk by the fridge and not peak inside for an apple or handful of berries. This doesn’t happen under Carnivore. I honestly don’t feel like snacking. I don’t have to think about desert and when I do get hungry, I crave salty beef or steak. 

Family & Social Life

Me wife is used to me on a restrictive diet, and impatient with it. She doesn’t even want to know the details of this one! So, I don’t mention it to her or talk about food and I do my own cooking. I haven’t been over to friends for dinner or eaten out since starting the Carnivore diet, so I haven’t had to deal with carb avoidance in a social situation. However, most friends and family know I’m a little nuts, and give me space.

Final Thoughts

Despite its restrictions, Carnivore has been the easiest and most effective diet I’ve ever tried.

I’ve:

• Lost weight
• Reduced joint pain
• Eliminated cravings
• Maintained physical performance
• Increased mental clarity

How sustainable is it long-term? I don’t know. But for now, I have no plans to stop.

Questions/Feedback? Email rob@mtntactical.com