The Shift from Strict Carnivore to an Animal-Based Approach
Around 2022, Paul Saladino, known to his followers as 'Carnivore MD', began to deviate from his strict meat-only diet. His public image and book, The Carnivore Code, cemented his position as a leading advocate for eliminating all plant-based foods, including vegetables, grains, and starches. This shift was not a casual one, but a response to persistent health issues he encountered after years of strict adherence. Symptoms such as sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, and a drop in testosterone levels prompted a re-evaluation of his nutritional philosophy. The self-experimentation that led to the carnivore diet also guided his next phase of exploration: reintroducing carbohydrates.
He concluded that long-term ketosis, a state his strict diet had induced, was not serving his body well and was 'probably not a great thing for most humans'. His candor about these struggles marked a significant turn, leading him to advocate for a more nuanced 'animal-based' diet rather than the rigid carnivore approach. This new philosophy maintains a focus on animal foods, but strategically incorporates specific carbohydrates.
The Animal-Based Diet and New Carbohydrate Sources
Paul Saladino's modern animal-based diet retains a heavy emphasis on nutrient-dense animal products but diverges significantly by including certain plant-derived foods. The core of his approach still centers on nose-to-tail consumption, but it now includes select, low-toxicity carbohydrates. His preferred sources for these carbohydrates are fruits and honey.
Saladino argues that fruits offer carbohydrates with minimal plant toxins, which he refers to as 'anti-nutrients'. This selective reintroduction of carbohydrates was his solution to the physiological issues he experienced on the strict carnivore diet. He found that fruits and honey provided the glucose his body needed without the adverse effects he associated with other carbohydrate sources, which he still views with skepticism.
The Role of Fruits and Honey
- Fruits: He favors specific fruits like berries, papaya, and watermelon, viewing them as a clean and evolutionarily consistent source of energy.
- Honey: Saladino sees honey as a unique carbohydrate source derived from animal activity (bees), and therefore not a 'plant food' in the same sense as grains. He added honey back to his diet specifically to increase his carbohydrate intake.
Did Paul Saladino Add Rice and Potatoes? The Starch Experiment
For many following his journey, the key question remained whether traditional starchy carbs would be part of his new diet. The short answer is that he experimented with adding rice and white potatoes but ultimately found them detrimental to his health.
During this experimentation phase, Saladino described experiencing negative effects, including a noticeable brain fog. This personal experience led him to conclude that for his specific physiology, these starches were not a beneficial addition. He shared his findings openly, reinforcing his belief that individual experimentation is the best way to determine dietary needs. While acknowledging that some people might tolerate starches like sweet potatoes, his own experience with rice and white potatoes was unfavorable.
Preparation Methods and Individual Tolerance
Despite his personal negative experience, Saladino has provided guidance for others who might choose to consume rice. He suggests specific preparation methods to mitigate potential downsides, such as heavy metal accumulation, which is higher in brown rice.
- Rinsing: Rinsing white rice multiple times.
- Soaking: Soaking the rice in warm water with apple cider vinegar.
- Pressure Cooking: Pressure cooking to further reduce problematic compounds like lectins.
He noted that even with these preparation steps, rice still caused him to feel unwell, underscoring the importance of listening to one's own body.
Comparison: Strict Carnivore vs. Animal-Based Diet
| Feature | Strict Carnivore (Past) | Animal-Based (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Macronutrients | Exclusively animal fats and proteins | Animal fats and proteins with added carbs from fruit/honey |
| Carbohydrate Sources | None, long-term ketosis was the goal | Fruits (berries, papaya), honey, and limited squash |
| Plant-Derived Foods | Excluded entirely | Limited to select fruits and honey |
| Starches (Rice/Potatoes) | Excluded | Experimented with, but rejected due to adverse effects |
| Dairy | Included | Included, with a preference for raw dairy |
| Goal | Achieve optimal health through zero-carb, ancestral eating | Achieve optimal health through a balanced, low-toxicity animal-based diet |
Conclusion: Learning from Saladino's Evolution
Paul Saladino's dietary evolution serves as a powerful case study in the complexities of nutrition. The answer to the question, 'Did Paul Saladino add rice and potatoes to his diet?', is yes, he experimented with them, but ultimately, they are not part of his diet due to negative personal health reactions. His shift away from a rigid dogma and toward a more nuanced, individualized approach highlights several key takeaways. The pursuit of optimal nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all journey, and even a prominent advocate of a restrictive diet may find it necessary to evolve based on personal health markers and experimentation. Saladino's current diet embraces the importance of carbohydrates, sourced from fruits and honey, while still avoiding starchy vegetables and grains, which he believes contain problematic compounds. This evolution demonstrates the importance of listening to one's own body and remaining open to change in the quest for radical health, regardless of prior dietary convictions. For those interested in the scientific evidence surrounding anti-nutrients and plant compounds, resources like the National Institutes of Health provide valuable context beyond influencer claims.
