Only meat during the holidays – Here’s what happened

Introduction

I have been on a health and wellness journey since 2019, where I switched to a low-carb/keto diet. It was a big transition, but one that brought me countless health benefits. Recently I decided to try something new, something I had read about on Mikhaila Peterson‘s blog but never thought I would try myself: the carnivore diet.

My anticipation and surprising discovery

I had already cut out sugar, coffee, caffeine, sweets and soft drinks, so the switch to meat only didn’t seem so daunting. I’ve been practicing intermittent fasting for a long time. The first day I tried it, I was amazed at how full I felt. It was a deep sense of satiety I hadn’t felt in a while, and I decided to keep going.

As the days went by, I noticed that the inflammation in my body decreased and I was able to exercise without pain in my shoulder for the first time in years. It was a surprising and welcome change.

How the diet affected my daily routine

Eating only meat during the holidays affected several aspects of my life, including exercise, sleep and energy levels. I noticed that I had more stamina and could complete my workout without any problems. My sleep improved and I woke up every morning feeling refreshed. Except for a few nights where the kids kept us awake only to get up again at 06:00. My energy levels were stable throughout the day, although I did experience some episodes of “oxalate dumping”, which is quite normal at the start.

Challenges and how I overcame them

As with any restrictive diet, there are challenges. For me, it was social situations. When everyone else is grilling sausages and vegetables, you’re sitting there with a 700g entrecote. But I learned to bring my own food and stand on my own. I also learned that not caring about what you think others think is quite liberating.

There were times when I had to say no to a French fry menu in a water park. But not feeling bloated and having energy throughout the day was a small price to pay. I also noticed that I saved money on my diet choice. Although entrecote can be expensive, I saved money on all the little snacks and snacks that I didn’t eat.

Finding the right types of meat

At the beginning of my journey with the carnivore diet, I experimented with different types of meat. I tried everything from chicken, fish, pork, and even some more exotic varieties. But as time went on, I started to notice how my body reacted to different types of meat and that butter was better than cheese.

Lamb and beef – my go-to meat choices

What I discovered was that I worked best on lamb and beef. Something about these two meats gave me energy and satiety that no other type of meat could. I don’t know if it was the protein content, the fatty acids, or just the way my body digested these types of meat, but I felt incredibly good when I ate lamb and beef.

Local, grass-fed meat

After figuring out which types of meat worked best for me, I decided to go one step further. I wanted to ensure that the meat I was eating was of the highest quality, and that meant it had to be grass-fed and come from a local source.

I got in the car and drove 30 miles to pick up 50 kilos of beef from a local farmer. It was a long trip, but it was definitely worth it. The meat was some of the best I’ve ever tasted and I knew I was giving my body the best of the best.

As an added bonus, I also supported local agriculture and contributed to a more sustainable food chain. It felt good to know that I was not only taking care of my own health, but also taking care of the environment.

The way forward

Continuing with the Carnivore Diet

After a successful meat-only vacation, I’ve decided to continue with the carnivore diet for a few more months. My health has never been better and I’m excited to see what other benefits this diet can bring me. While I still believe in the importance of dietary variety, I’m going to focus on meat as the main component of my diet.

Goals for Health and Diet

As a committed father and entrepreneur with several projects on the go, I need all the cognitive execution power I can get. The Carnivore diet has given me an improvement in both health and wellbeing, which has helped me focus on my work and family life. I have big goals for my health and diet, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.

Open for Change

This experience has taught me the importance of being open to changes, even those I initially had strong reservations about. I’m excited to continue exploring other health strategies in the future, and I look forward to sharing my experiences and learnings with you.

Conclusion: My advice to others

My experience of eating only meat during the holidays was surprisingly positive. I experienced many health benefits and it helped me to have a more relaxing and energetic vacation. For those considering trying the carnivore diet, or any other restrictive diet, I would say, “Go for it!” Don’t worry about what others say. Your health is your own, and you are the only one who can decide what is best for you. Bring your own food, stay strong, and remember that it’s the small changes that make the biggest difference. It’s a very restrictive diet, so don’t attempt it without professional guidance.