
🎙️ Episode Title:
Episode #22 | Eating Healthy with Carnivore & Animal-Based Diets (Part 4 0f 7)
Published: 10/8/2025
🔍 Episode Summary:
Welcome back to Current Thoughts! In this fourth installment of our 7-part Eating Healthy series, D and J dive into the rising trend of carnivore and animal-based diets. From the ultra-strict “just meat and water” version to lighter approaches that include dairy, seafood, and even fruit, they break down what these diets look like in real life, the appeal of their simplicity, and the trade-offs that come with cutting out plants entirely.
With lived experiences, early research, and practical tips, this conversation helps you sort through the hype, the potential benefits, and the important cautions—so you can decide if trying carnivore or animal-based makes sense for you.
📝 Topics Covered:
✔️ What “animal-based” vs. “carnivore” really means
✔️ How simple meals like steak and eggs appeal to many
✔️ Reported benefits: fewer cravings, weight changes, and steadier energy
✔️ The social and budget challenges of eating this way
✔️ Key health concerns: cholesterol, fiber, and nutrient gaps
✔️ Harvard survey findings on carnivore eaters
✔️ Practical ways to test these diets safely
✔️ Myth-busting common claims around fiber, red meat, and health risks
✔️ Guardrails for tweaking or deciding if it’s not the right fit
💡 Key Takeaways:
✅ Carnivore = strict animal foods only; animal-based = broader and often includes fruit or dairy
✅ Many report fewer cravings and simple eating, but cholesterol and nutrient gaps are real concerns
✅ Fiber and plant foods still have strong links to long-term health
✅ Testing these diets should be short-term, with labs checked before and after
✅ Treat diet as a tool, not an identity—learn what actually works for your body
📢 Connect With Us:
📸 Instagram: @thereallifedandj
📺 YouTube: The Real Life with D&J
🌐 Website: thereallifedandj.com
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💬 Join the Conversation:
What’s your biggest question about animal-based eating—or your personal experience if you’ve tried it? Drop us a comment on Instagram or YouTube, or share your story with us directly.