The Carnivore Diet Revealed: Doctor's 3-Year Experience With All-Meat Eating Plan
For nearly three years, Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician, has adhered to a carnivore diet consisting solely of meat, beef, butter, bacon, eggs, and occasional full-fat dairy products. He has completely eliminated plant foods from his diet, including vegetables, fruits, and grains. Dr. Berry wants to share his personal experience with this restrictive eating pattern and the unexpected consequences it has had on his health.
Before adopting the carnivore diet, Dr. Berry struggled with several health issues including rosacea, sugar addiction, severe reflux, morbid obesity (weighing 297 pounds at his heaviest), pre-diabetes, knee pain from a previous injury, digestive problems, and excessive flatulence. Since switching to the carnivore diet, he has experienced significant improvements in all these conditions, effectively eliminating symptoms that had previously been a regular part of his daily life.
Key Takeaways
Dr. Berry's carnivore diet has eliminated numerous chronic health conditions including rosacea, reflux, and pre-diabetes.
His physical health improved dramatically with weight loss and reduced knee pain from a previous sports injury.
The elimination of digestive issues and autoimmune condition flare-ups represents a significant quality of life improvement.
Dr. Ken Berry's Professional Background
Dr. Ken Berry is a family physician who has adopted the carnivore diet for approximately three years. His dietary approach consists primarily of meat, beef, butter, bacon, eggs, and occasional full-fat dairy products such as cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese.
Before changing his eating habits, Dr. Berry experienced several health issues. He suffered from mild to moderate rosacea which required regular hydrocortisone cream application. He also struggled with sugar addiction and consumed excessive carbohydrates in the form of sugary foods.
Dr. Berry previously dealt with severe daily reflux, heartburn, and GERD. His symptoms were so intense that he took two Nexium (equivalent to omeprazole) daily, kept apple cider vinegar at his clinic for symptom relief, and still experienced significant discomfort. His weight reached 297 pounds at his heaviest point, classifying him as morbidly obese.
Previous Health Conditions:
Rosacea requiring regular treatment
Sugar addiction
Severe reflux/GERD requiring daily medication
Morbid obesity (297 pounds at maximum)
Pre-diabetes (HbA1c of 6.2)
Knee pain from a torn ACL
Digestive issues (frequent, large bowel movements)
Excessive flatulence
Since adopting the carnivore diet, Dr. Berry reports significant health improvements. His rosacea has cleared, and he no longer requires medication for reflux. His weight has decreased substantially, and his blood sugar levels have normalized to an HbA1c of approximately 5.3, effectively reversing his pre-diabetes.
His knee pain from a previous ACL tear has subsided despite engaging in physical farm work including hill climbing, chainsaw operation, and lifting. Dr. Berry also notes changes in his digestive system, with more regular and less problematic bowel movements.
The Carnivore Approach to Eating
Limiting Food Categories
The carnivore dietary pattern involves significant food category limitations, focusing exclusively on animal-based products. This approach eliminates all plant foods from the diet completely. Many who follow this regimen report experiencing relief from various chronic health conditions that previously required medication or management.
Those who adopt this eating style must be prepared to eliminate vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds entirely. This represents a significant departure from conventional nutritional recommendations that typically emphasize plant foods. The diet also restricts all processed foods, especially those containing added sugars and carbohydrates.
Animal-Based Foods Permitted
The carnivore diet centers on consuming animal products exclusively. Primary protein sources include beef, bacon, and eggs, which form the foundation of most meals. Full-fat dairy products are sometimes included in limited quantities, such as butter, cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese.
These permitted foods include:
Food Category Examples Meat Beef, pork, lamb, poultry, organ meats Seafood Fish, shellfish Animal Products Eggs, bone marrow, bone broth Dairy (limited) Butter, cheese, full-fat sour cream, cream cheese
Proponents often report that this simplified eating approach leads to improved health markers. Many adherents note reductions in weight, inflammatory symptoms, digestive issues, and skin conditions. Some also report experiencing normalized blood sugar levels and reduced joint pain after transitioning to this style of eating.
Personal Health Improvements
Rosacea Management
Dr. Berry's experience with rosacea changed dramatically after switching to a carnivore diet. Previously, he dealt with mild to moderate facial rosacea that required hydrocortisone cream applications multiple times weekly. The condition would occasionally flare up noticeably, prompting questions from others. After nearly three years on the carnivore diet, these symptoms have subsided completely.
Sugar Dependency Reversal
Before changing his diet, Dr. Berry identified as having a significant sugar addiction. He frequently consumed excessive carbohydrates, particularly in the form of sugary processed foods. This habit contributed to various health complications that have since resolved following his dietary shift to meat-based nutrition.
Acid Reflux Resolution
Severe daily reflux and heartburn previously dominated Dr. Berry's life. His condition required:
Two Nexium (esomeprazole) tablets daily
Regular apple cider vinegar consumption
Constant throat clearing
Despite medication, he still experienced significant pain. After adopting the carnivore diet, his reflux symptoms disappeared completely, eliminating his need for any reflux medications.
Weight Management Success
At his heaviest, Dr. Berry weighed 297 pounds, placing him in the morbidly obese category. This excess weight affected his credibility as a physician and subjected him to negative comments about his inability to manage his own health. His carnivore diet approach helped him achieve significant weight loss, transforming both his physical health and professional image.
Blood Sugar Normalization
Dr. Berry previously had pre-diabetes with a hemoglobin A1C of 6.2%. Following his dietary changes, his A1C levels returned to normal range, measuring approximately 5.3%. This improvement effectively reversed his pre-diabetic status and eliminated associated health risks.
Joint Pain Improvement
An old ACL tear in Dr. Berry's right knee caused daily grinding, clicking, swelling, and pain before his diet change. These symptoms completely disappeared on the carnivore diet. He can now perform physically demanding farm work including:
Walking up and down hills
Operating equipment like chainsaws
Squatting and lifting heavy items
All these activities can be performed without experiencing knee pain or inflammation.
Digestive System Changes
Dr. Berry's digestive patterns changed significantly. Previously, he experienced:
Before Carnivore After Carnivore 3 large bowel movements daily 1 small bowel movement daily Required multiple flushes Minimal cleanup needed Extended time in bathroom Quicker, more efficient digestion
These changes represent a dramatic shift in his digestive function and efficiency.
Gas Production Decrease
Prior to dietary changes, Dr. Berry experienced excessive flatulence with strong odors. This symptom was so prominent it became something of a personal trademark during his younger years. The carnivore diet eliminated this issue completely, resulting in minimal to no gas production and removing what had previously been a source of discomfort and social disruption.
Social and Lifestyle Changes
After nearly three years of following a carnivore diet, I've experienced several unexpected changes in my daily life. My diet now consists exclusively of animal products: beef, butter, bacon, eggs, and occasional full-fat dairy items like cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese.
Many health issues that were once part of my routine have disappeared. My rosacea, which previously required regular hydrocortisone cream applications, has resolved completely. The sugar addiction that dominated my eating habits is gone, along with the associated health complications.
Digestive changes have been particularly noticeable. The severe daily reflux and heartburn that once required multiple medications have vanished. I no longer need to take Nexium or Omeprazole, and my apple cider vinegar remedy has been forgotten somewhere in the house.
Weight and Metabolic Improvements:
Lost significant weight (previously 297 pounds)
Reversed pre-diabetes (A1C dropped from 6.2 to 5.3)
No more being the subject of negative comments about weight
Physical comfort has improved dramatically. The knee injury from my basketball days that used to cause daily pain, grinding, swelling, and clicking is now completely silent. Farm work, including challenging activities like chainsaw use and hill climbing, no longer triggers pain.
Bathroom habits have changed substantially. Instead of multiple large, odorous bowel movements daily, I now have a single small, almost odorless movement per day. Similarly, the excessive gas that once served as a "signature trait" has disappeared entirely.
These changes might seem like restrictions to some people. The carnivore diet has eliminated not just certain foods but also the symptoms, medications, and doctor visits that were once regular features of life. For those considering this dietary approach, it's worth understanding that these "restrictions" may actually represent significant improvements in quality of life.
Carnivore Diet Impact on Autoimmune Conditions
The carnivore diet has shown promising results for individuals suffering from autoimmune conditions. This meat-based dietary approach, which eliminates all plant foods including vegetables, fruits, and grains, appears to significantly reduce inflammatory responses in some patients.
Many individuals who transition to the carnivore diet report remission of autoimmune symptoms. Conditions like rosacea, which previously required regular treatment with hydrocortisone cream, often resolve completely within weeks or months of adopting this dietary approach.
Key Benefits for Autoimmune Conditions:
Reduction or elimination of inflammatory skin conditions
Decreased joint pain and inflammation
Improved digestive health
Elimination of pre-existing gastrointestinal issues
The diet's anti-inflammatory effects may stem from the elimination of potential plant-based irritants and allergens. By removing these triggers, the body's immune system appears to calm down, reducing the overactive responses characteristic of autoimmune disorders.
For those with joint-related autoimmune issues, the reduction in inflammation can be particularly noticeable. Many report decreased pain, swelling, and improved mobility after adopting the carnivore approach.
Typical Foods in the Carnivore Diet:
Included Excluded Beef All vegetables Bacon All fruits Eggs All grains Butter Processed foods Limited dairy (full-fat cheese, sour cream) Sugar and sweeteners
While the diet may seem restrictive, many practitioners find the trade-off worthwhile when their autoimmune symptoms subside. The elimination of chronic health issues often outweighs the limitations of food choices.
It's worth noting that transitional periods can vary. Some individuals experience rapid improvement in their autoimmune conditions, while others may require several months before noticing significant changes.
Concluding Thoughts on Diet Restrictions
The carnivore diet often gets labeled as highly restrictive, but this perspective deserves reconsideration. Many individuals who adopt this diet experience unexpected health improvements rather than feelings of deprivation.
For those considering this dietary approach, it's worth noting the potential "restrictions" might actually be liberation from chronic health issues. Many practitioners report significant improvements in skin conditions like rosacea, which completely disappear after eliminating plant foods.
Sugar addiction and its accompanying health problems often resolve on a carnivore diet. The freedom from constant cravings represents a significant quality of life improvement for many individuals.
Digestive issues frequently improve dramatically. People who previously suffered from severe GERD, requiring daily medication and remedies like apple cider vinegar, often find these problems disappear entirely on a meat-based diet.
Health Markers That Often Improve:
Weight normalization
Blood sugar regulation
Joint pain reduction
Digestive function
The diet typically leads to more efficient digestion with less waste production. This means fewer, smaller bowel movements without the uncomfortable bloating and excessive gas that many experience on plant-heavy diets.
For those with autoimmune conditions, the carnivore diet may help achieve remission or significantly reduce symptom flare-ups. This improvement often eliminates the need for ongoing medical appointments and prescription medications.
Before dismissing this approach as too limiting, consider that the true restrictions might be the chronic health conditions that impact daily life. The dietary change might ultimately provide more freedom than limitation.
