If you’ve seen videos of people eating sticks of butter or digging into massive steaks, you’ve probably heard of the carnivore diet. The diet, which consists of only animal products, has exploded on social media over the last few years with people touting their life-changing results, both good and bad.

But the diet is nothing new. There’s a history of experimentation with eating animal products, beyond just prehistoric and hunter-gatherer cultures. In 1856, the German writer Bernard Montcriff subsisted on beef and milk for one year, then published The Philosophy of the Stomach: Or, An Exclusively Animal Diet. Also in the 1800s was Dr. James Henry Salisbury, the inventor of what would become known as the Salisbury steak and the Salisbury diet, which seems to be comprised mainly of Salisbury steak.

But what we know today as the carnivore diet was popularized by Dr. Shawn Baker, an orthopedic surgeon and athlete who discussed it on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast in 2017 and published a book, The Carnivore Diet, in 2018.

Since then, the diet has gained a lot of traction online—how could someone biting into a stick of butter not grab your attention? But with so many varied claims and stories from both influencers and doctors, it’s difficult to sort fact from myth. Could someone really be healthy consuming only steak, eggs, butter, and no veggies? Why does the diet seemingly “work” for some and not others? We went to the experts to get some answers.

What Is The Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet allows only meat, fish, seafood, eggs, and some dairy. It might be one of the few, or only, well-known diets that excludes produce.

“The carnivore diet is pretty extreme—it’s all animal products, no plants at all,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, Chief Medical Advisor for Garage Gym Reviews.

Is The Carnivore Diet Healthy?

Whether or not the carnivore diet is healthy varies depending on who you ask.

Lauren Manaker, R.D.N., says it’s rare that she gives a dietary pattern a “hard no,” but when it comes to the carnivore diet, she doesn’t consider it healthy, nor does she recommend trying it.

In addition to the lack of vitamins and health benefits from fruits and vegetables, her main concern is the absence of fiber, which is important for digestive health and a healthy gut. The lack of fiber, she adds, may be linked to an increased risk of colon cancer.

Given the diet’s high consumption of meat and saturated fat, both experts also note the potential negative impact on heart health.

There are also the emotional effects to consider. “Eliminating entire food groups can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and may even contribute to disordered eating patterns,” Manaker cautions.

But still, some people, especially on social media, give the diet positive reviews. Manaker says this could be due to the diet’s simplicity and reducing “potentially problematic foods” such as ultra-processed foods. For some, the high protein intake promotes satiety, and fewer carbs help control blood sugar.

Bella, also known as the “Steak and Butter Gal,” has shared her journey from veganism to the carnivore diet on social media. She’s been on the carnivore diet for six years and is often seen on Instagram biting into a stick of butter or steak. “I have lost 25 pounds of unhealthy weight, regained my period, overcame my depression, and healed my acne, eczema, and psoriasis,” she wrote on her Patreon.

Others didn’t have the same experience. Georgia Heins shared her negative experience with the carnivore diet in an Instagram video. She was on the diet for eight weeks and said she lost fat, but also developed Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, lost her period, and developed acne.

“It depends a lot on the person,” Dr. Dasgupta says, who echoes Manaker, saying that those with autoimmune issues or food sensitivities might seem to feel better simply because they’re removing irritants.

“Others don’t do well on it—they might feel sluggish, constipated, or just miss variety in their diet,” he adds. “Our bodies, genetics, and gut health all respond differently to big changes like this.”

What’s The Difference Between The Carnivore Diet & The Paleo Diet?

There are a lot of low-carb or grain-free diets out there. And with the Paleo diet’s similar emphasis on meat, it can get a bit confusing. The carnivore diet is not the same as the Paleo diet, but it is ketogenic.

“The paleo diet is more balanced by comparison; it cuts out processed foods but still includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds,” Dr. Dasgupta says. “So while both are low in processed carbs, carnivore is way more restrictive and eliminates plant foods entirely.”

The keto diet, on the other hand, keeps carb intake low and fat intake high, which, theoretically, puts the body in a state of ketosis where it burns fat for energy. In a Harvard Medical School article, Dr. Howard E. LeWine says that in the keto diet, about 10% of calories come from carbs, and that the food that makes up this percentage can vary. This makes the carnivore diet, he says, “the most ketogenic.”

The Bottom Line

Curious about the carnivore diet? Here’s what our health experts advise.

“Don’t do it,” Manaker says, who recommends a balanced diet of a variety of nutritious foods versus extreme restrictions.

“If you’re curious, go in with your eyes open,” Dr. Dasgupta says, who emphasizes doing your research and identifying the reason why you’re doing it.

Both health experts say you should discuss any diet changes with a doctor, dietitian, or nutritionist to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.

“Pay attention to how your body feels—your health should guide your choices, not just internet trends,” Dasgupta says.