What is an Animal Based Diet?

What is an Animal-Based Diet & How Does it Compare to Similar Diets like Carnivore, Paleo & AIP?

Paleo. Autoimmune Protocol. Carnivore. There are so many ways of eating out there, and some of them can seem quite similar.

There has been a rise in popularity in the past few years of an animal-based, low-toxin carnivore diet. And as with any new diet, there are usually a lot of questions and even more misinformation.

Are these diets all just passing fads, or is one diet better than another? To use a very poor metaphor given the subject matter, comparing all of these diets is a bit like comparing apples and oranges.

The Basics of An Animal-Based Diet

To put it in simple terms, the details are right there in the name. The anima-based diet is a carnivore, or meat-product only, diet that allows for some plant foods so long as they contain little to no plant toxins.

What the heck are plant toxins? Glad you asked!

Plant toxins are natural chemical properties found in plant foods. They are the plant’s way of defending itself by causing illness in those who eat them. Since they cannot be properly broken down by the human body during the digestion process, they end up in the gut where they can, in some people, wreak a little or (a lot of) havoc.

Eating these toxins may result in an upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, gas, or further down the line trigger health issues like autoimmunity. In addition to gastrointestinal issues, plant toxins can also prohibit the absorption of some essential micronutrients.

Want to dig further into the toxic capabilities of plants and the science behind this “wild accusation?” Order a copy of THE CARNIVORE CODE and get Primally nerdy!

How an Animal-Based Diet Differs from Other Ways of Eating

A low-toxin carnivore diet differs from a regular carnivore diet because it allows for some plant foods provided they are low in lectins, phytates, polyphenols, and sulforaphane. Whew…that’s a mouthful, huh? Please allow me to explain little further:

Legumes, whole grains, and nightshades such as tomatoes and peppers are foods that are high in lectins. Lectins are referred to as anti-nutrients because they bind to carbohydrates, a source of fuel for the body, and deplete vital nutrients from the body while they find their way into all of the body’s systems.

Phytates are found in beans, nuts, and grains. Like lectins, they are also referred to as anti-nutrients because they can stunt the absorption of essential micronutrients, creating deficiencies in the body of important vitamins and minerals.

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, are high in sulforaphane. Sulforaphane may trigger a decrease in muscular strength and motor skills.

Polyphenols, found in black tea, matcha coffee, and bell peppers, though touted widely in the health industry as beneficial, have a dark side. From flushing out calcium in the urine, to inhibiting absorption of iron, and compromising androgen receptors, polyphenols may be causing us more harm than good. Some other names for polyphenols are capsaicin, curcumin, flavonoids, lignans, quercetin, resveratrol, and stilbenes, so be on the lookout for these not so super “superfoods!”

Beets, beans, and leafy greens are other superfoods, right? Think again! These repeat offenders are full of oxalates which can bind to the thyroid hormone T3, causing worsening issues in those with thyroid disease. Those with kidney issues may want to avoid these to reduce the probability of kidney stones.

To obtain the appropriate amount of essential vitamins and minerals, nutrient-dense organ meats are highly encouraged. To learn how an animal-based diet differs from other similar eating protocols, read on.

Animal-Based vs. AIP

An autoimmune protocol diet, or AIP, is an elimination diet that those who suffer from autoimmune diseases are encouraged to try in an effort to find out which foods trigger their symptoms. It encourages the elimination of foods like beans, grains, eggs, coffee, nuts, seeds, sugar, chemical additives, and dairy.

The goal here is to allow the gut to mend itself while reducing inflammation. After allowing your body and gut enough time to recover, you can try to add certain foods back, cross your fingers that coffee is still a go, and see how you react. The AIP diet differs from the animal-based diet because it is not intended to be a life-long change. Its goal is to reverse inflammation and shed light on what may be causing issues.

Animal-Based vs. Paleo

The paleo, short for Paleolithic, diet is centered around the idea that we should be eating the way some experts interpet how humans ate tens of thousands of years ago. This means that fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and honey are all permitted on a paleo diet. Though the paleo diet can be low in toxins depending on your food choices, it does not call for their elimination or reduction.

Since Paleolithic man did not participate in modern farming practices to produce massive amounts of grains and dairy, those are – literally and figuratively – off the table. This leaves meats, seafood, and lots of fruits and vegetables as options for a paleo plate. Though much better than a standard American diet, aptly named SAD, eating the fruits and vegetables that a paleo diet permits may not work for all people.

Animal-Based vs. Carnivore

A carnivore diet tells you all you need to know right there in the name. It allows for only animal products, which includes both eggs and dairy. Though that is similar to what is allowed in a low-toxin carnivore diet, it is closer to a no-toxin than low-toxin diet.

Meals on a carnivore diet can include pasture-raised meats, wild-caught seafood, cheeses, eggs, and sea salt free from microplastics, like Real Salt. (Use code CAVEWOMAN for 10% off your first Redmond Salt order!) All plant foods, including low-toxin plants, are avoided on a carnivore diet.

And Now for the Gray Area

Though dairy and eggs may fit into an animal-based diet, the fact is that some people do not tolerate them very well. When it comes to dairy and eggs, it’s obviously not plant toxins that are the issue. For some, the casein proteins and lactose found in dairy may lead to inflammation. When it comes to eggs, the proteins found in egg whites may trigger an autoimmune response or aggravate the gut.

To understand whether or not you are one of those people negatively affected by dairy or eggs, start your low-toxin carnivore diet by eliminating both of them for about the first 4-6 weeks. When trying to add them back, start with just the egg yolks first, as egg whites can be a known allergen. When adding back dairy, choose hard cheeses, such as parmesan, as they are lower in lactose, or A2 variety dairy like goat and sheep’s milks and cheeses.

Which Diet is Best?

Hey, I never promised we were done with gray areas! If diets were black and white, I’d be out of a job. The truth is that it depends. If you are battling autoimmune disease or are experiencing any symptoms associated with poor gut health, an AIP diet may make sense to heal any issues and help you understand your triggers.

A carnivore diet is fairly easy to follow though it does not allow for any fruits or vegetables even if they are well-tolerated. When it comes to a low-toxin carnivore diet, you can jump right in with both feet, or transition there from an AIP or carnivore diet to see if adding certain plants brings a return of your symptoms.

Ready to get started? Grab my best Animal-Based recipe from the blog archives!