Have you ever considered the possibility that eating only meat could be healthier? Or do you listen to the Jordan Peterson diet? It might sound drastic, especially since conventional nutrition promotes variety and plant-based foods. But more and more evidence shows that a diet focused on fatty meats can be good for our health.
Let’s introduce Jordan Peterson, the well-known Canadian psychologist who advocates for this carnivorous way of living. It is commonly referred to as the “Jordan Peterson diet.” Numerous people, including those dealing with obesity, insulin resistance, inflammatory health conditions, and even mental health difficulties, have allegedly benefited from this diet. This article will discuss Jordan Peterson diet and how it may have health benefits.
Who is Dr. Jordan B. Peterson?
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist, professor of psychology, and a prominent public intellectual. He gained worldwide recognition for his critiques of political correctness, identity politics, and postmodernism, particularly through his opposition to Canada’s Bill C-16 in 2016, which he argued could infringe on free speech by mandating the use of specific gender pronouns.
Peterson is also known for his psychological insights and self-help advice, often focusing on topics like personal responsibility, individual development, and the importance of meaning in life. His book, “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos”, became a global bestseller.
Peterson’s views on topics like mental health, gender, and society have sparked both significant support and criticism, leading him to become a divisive figure in contemporary discourse. Despite the controversy, his influence remains significant, particularly among those interested in psychology, self-improvement, and political issues.
What is the Jordan Peterson Carnivore Diet?
A carnivore diet where you exclusively eat animal products like beef is known as the Jordan Peterson diet. It eliminates most vegetables, fruits, and grains. Both Jordan Peterson and his daughter, Mikhaila Peterson, have publicly endorsed this diet, claiming it has improved their mental and physical health.
Key Features of the Jordan Peterson Carnivore Diet
Meat-Based Foods: This diet includes only meat based products like beef, along with other animal products like fish and eggs. The main focus is to get energy, especially protein which is found in fatty cuts of meat, such as steaks, ground beef, and organ meats (like liver), which are nutrient-dense.
Elimination of Plant Foods: While this diet is only based on meat consumption, It eliminates the intake of plant based food items including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts.
Simple and Restrictive: The diet is simple and restrictive, with a primary emphasis on eating animal products and avoiding processed foods.
Focus on Mental Health: Jordan Peterson and his daughter have had many mental health issues in the past but they claim after taking this diet they reported significant improvements in mental health. Peterson has discussed how this diet helped him with issues like depression, fatigue, and autoimmune symptoms.
Nutrient-Dense: This diet is considered full of nutrients like proteins, fats, vitamins (such as B12 and Vitamin D), and minerals like iron and zinc which helps in overall health.
Jordan Peterson Carnivore Diet based on two parts
The Jordan Peterson Carnivore Diet is often described in two phases, each with a different focus on food choices. These stages reflect how Jordan and his daughter, Mikhaila Peterson, gradually adapted the diet to suit their needs and health goals. Here’s a breakdown of the two parts:
Part I: Steak, Water, and Salt (Strict Carnivore)
The first part of Jordan Peterson diet focused only on animal-based food that is meat. This phase is created to remove potential food triggers and allow the body to reset. The main elements of this stage are as follow:
Steak(or beef): The primary element in this restrictive diet is high-quality beef, particularly fatty cuts like steak or ground beef. The main reason for including just beef is because of its nutrient-dense, providing protein, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Water: Like meat is a key ingredient in this diet, water also plays an essential role because there is no room for drinks with calories, sugar, or other additives.
Salt: Salt is used to season the meat and ensure proper electrolyte balance. Since the diet is low in carbs, individuals may need to supplement their intake of sodium to avoid electrolyte imbalances, which can lead to fatigue or dizziness.
Part II: Meat and Greens (Modified Carnivore Diet)
In the first part the main focus of the diet is based on Meat, water and salt but the second part, this diet became more flexible and introduced some plant-based foods, specifically greens. While it is a purely meat based diet it allows you to add a little amount of certain vegetables primarily leafy greens like spinach, kale to add variety and nutrients so you don’t get bored. These remain staples of the diet in this stage as well, ensuring hydration and electrolyte balance.
The Results of Jordan Peterson on the Carnivore Diet
In this journey, Peterson discovered that cutting off veggies and sticking to just dairy & meats was greatly improving his health.
“I shed fifty pounds. I think my hunger has decreased by 70%. Blood sugar dysregulation issues don’t affect me. I no longer have gum disease, thus I sleep much less. Like, what the heck is going on?”
Dr. Peterson says he’s no longer depressed or anxious and that his mental clarity has improved. However, he is not the only one who has had success. Many Carnivores report substantial health benefits.
How and when did Jordan Peterson’s Diet occur?
The carnivore diet gained attention when Jordan Peterson shared his experience on the 2018 episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, one of the world’s most popular podcasts. Peterson learned about the benefits of this diet from his daughter, Mikhaila.
Mikhaila Peterson’s Journey
Mikhaila was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, hypersomnia, bipolar disorder, Lyme disease, and psoriasis by the time she was 22 years old. She thinks all of these illnesses are now in cure because of the carnivorous diet.
Jordan Peterson’s Transformation
Motivated by his daughter’s achievements, Jordan Peterson decided to give the diet a go. Initially, he followed the strict “lion diet” for two months, which exclusively calls for red meat consumption.
After that, he spent a year eating meat and greens as part of a modified carnivore diet.
Positive Results
Peterson told Joe Rogan that he had improved his gum disease and sleep, reduced fifty pounds, and saw a seventy percent decrease in hunger. Furthermore, he saw a reduction in anxiety and despair as well as an improvement in mental clarity, which impressed him with the diet’s effects.
What is the role of fats in Jordan Peterson’s Diet?
Remember that a carnivore diet is just a high-fat, low-carb, moderate-protein diet, just like the keto diet.
Choose the fattiest steak cuts and pair them with other high-fat keto meats to ensure you’re receiving adequate fat. Protein poisoning can occur if you don’t consume enough fat while on the keto diet.
Indeed, scientists like Amber O’Hearn believe that, in addition to being carnivores, humans are also “lipivores,” having a special inclination towards ingesting and surviving on animal fats.
Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide About Gary Brecka Diet
Evolutionary Foundations of an All-Meat Diet
Dieters who follow the Jordan Peterson diet frequently cite studies that demonstrate how their diet is consistent with how humans evolved to eat. Professor Miki Ben-Dor’s recent research indicates that early humans lived for almost two million years eating a diet high in fatty, huge animals.
The Early Human Diet
Hunting for bone meat, which is high in nutrients and aided in the rapid growth of our brains, allowed humans to initially evolve. We became smarter as our brains expanded, which made it possible for us to make weapons to hunt big game.
The Role of Megafauna
This occurred when the world was home to enormous beasts known as megafauna. It’s possible that humans contributed significantly to the extinction of these creatures since we became such adept hunters.
Our Modern Physiology
Our bodies are still shaped by this lengthy history of consuming fatty meat to this day. Here’s the detail;
- When we eat fat, we don’t feel like eating much else since it is so gratifying.
- Compared to other primates, humans accumulate fat on their bodies considerably more easily.
- Humans, in contrast to other animals, may use their fat reserves as an energy source even when they are not starving.
- Large digestive tracts enable our primate cousins to convert fibre into fatty acids. However, due to their shorter digestive processes, humans are unable to accomplish this.
- Our stomachs are more acidic than those of most carnivores, So, we are better able to fend off microorganisms that our ancestors long ago scavenged off meat.
- Our relationship with fatty meat has influenced who we are as people today.
Should You Do the Jordan Peterson Diet?
There are many advantages to the Jordan Peterson diet, which is an early form of carnivorous feeding. It does leave out some crucial information, such as how significant eating fatty meat is. High-fat, low-carb, meat-centred diets can be approached in a more smart, practical, and long-lasting way.
To tackle carnivores in a less severe and, to be honest, more pleasurable way, Doctor Kiltz created the BABIES regimen. Bacon, eggs, butter, beef, ice cream, intermittent fasting, and salt are the components of the acronym B.E.B.B.I.I.S. By concentrating on these full foods derived from animals, you may significantly lower inflammation, shield your body from the damaging effects of carbs, get rid of exposure to toxins found in plants, and provide your body with necessary nutrients and good fats for every cell.
Also Read: Exploring Joe Rogan Carnivore Diet: Tips, Benefits, and Long-Term Effects
Benefits of A Carnivore Diet
There are several advantages to eating meat, and a carnivorous diet increases these advantages.
- An increase in vital elements that are exclusive to meat
- Lowering additional sugar and carbohydrates
- removing antinutrients and poisons from plants
- getting rid of insoluble fiber from plants
- Saturated fats and animal fats are beneficial, but meat does not cause cancer.
- There are environmental benefits to raising and consuming meat.
Drawbacks to the Jordan Peterson diet
Using apple cider as an example, Peterson claimed that an inflammatory reaction left him unable to function for a month. It’s possible that Peterson’s response was unusual and that he had underlying inflammatory problems. A carnivorous diet will indeed make you more sensitive to the poisons and high sugar content of typical American diet items.
However, this exposure is a good thing, indicating that your metabolism has stabilized and reverted to its healthy, naturally occurring baseline. Similar to Jordan Peterson, you could occasionally find it challenging to eat with other people while following a restricted carnivorous diet. However, a lot of eateries have easy-to-find meat meals.
Client reviews on the Jordan Peterson Diet
A overview of the general feedback based on personal testimonials and online discussions from people who have followed the diet are as follow:
Positive Reviews:
- Review 1: “I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression for years, but after switching to the carnivore diet, I felt like a fog lifted from my mind. It’s been life-changing!”
- Review 2: “I’ve struggled with digestive issues for years, but after starting the carnivore diet, I’ve noticed a huge improvement. No more bloating or stomach pains.”
- Review 3: “I lost 15 pounds in a month and feel more energized than ever. My focus at work has also improved.”
- Review 4: “I’ve suffered from arthritis for years, but after a few weeks on the carnivore diet, my joint pain significantly decreased. I can move with much less discomfort.”
Negative Reviews:
- Review 1: “While I saw some benefits, it’s hard to stick to such a restrictive diet. I missed the variety of fruits and vegetables, and eating meat all the time became tiresome.”
- Review 2: “I lost some weight, but I started feeling lethargic after a few months. I realized I wasn’t getting enough fiber and vitamins that come from vegetables and fruits.”
- Review 3: “While I felt good initially, I’m concerned about the long-term effects. Eating so much meat every day can’t be healthy, and I’m thinking of adding more variety back into my meals.”
- Review 4: “The first few weeks were tough. I felt sluggish and had headaches as my body adjusted. But once I got through that phase, I started feeling better.”
Have you tried Jordan Peterson’s all-meat diet? Does it work?
Yes, I almost followed Jordan Peterson’s all-meat diet. Although I noticed an increase in energy and mental clarity, I found it difficult to maintain over time. It isn’t sustainable for everyone, but overall it worked for some advantages.
According to a Harvard study, 84% of respondents who ate a carnivorous diet said their mental health issues, like anxiety and sadness, had improved.
Is Jordan Peterson still on a beef and salt diet?
Peterson gave up eating anything in 2018 except for water, salt, and meat. To be clear, he stays away from eating pork, lamb, or chicken.
He consumes beef. Jordan’s five-year experience going without meat. In addition to helping him shed sixty pounds, Jordan Peterson credits his reduced anxiety and despair to an all-beef, all-salt diet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Jordan Peterson Carnivore Diet offers a unique, two-stage approach to nutrition that focuses primarily on animal-based foods. Stage I, with its strict emphasis on steak, water, and salt, aims to reset the body, eliminate potential food sensitivities, and promote mental and physical healing. Stage II introduces some flexibility by adding greens to the diet, providing additional nutrients while maintaining the core focus on animal products.
Also Read: Why Carnivore Diet is Bad: Health Risks and Long-Term Concerns