From Strict Carnivore to Animal-Based
For years, Paul Saladino was one of the most vocal proponents of a strict carnivore diet, which eliminates all plant foods. His initial focus was on consuming only meat, fish, and organ meats to avoid what he refers to as "plant toxins" or "anti-nutrients". This rigid approach gained him a significant following and established his "Carnivore MD" persona. However, Saladino's personal dietary journey did not stop there. The doctor began to experiment with his diet, eventually reintroducing carbohydrates from specific sources after experiencing his own health setbacks.
His transition began in 2020 after moving to Costa Rica, where he noticed issues with electrolyte balance and experienced disrupted sleep while on a strict meat-only diet. He began to hypothesize that certain carbohydrates might be beneficial, particularly those that are not heavily defended by plants. This led him to explore a new dietary framework that prioritized animal products but included specific plant foods he deemed less toxic. This new way of eating is what he now refers to as an "animal-based" diet.
The Role of Fruit in Paul Saladino's Diet
One of the most surprising and controversial additions to his diet was fruit. For a proponent of eating solely animal products, embracing fruit was a significant U-turn that raised eyebrows and sparked debate within the carnivore community. Saladino’s justification for including fruit is twofold. First, he believes that fruit provides carbohydrates with the fewest plant defense chemicals, or anti-nutrients. Secondly, he found that adding these carbs helped resolve some of the hormonal and electrolyte issues he was experiencing on a zero-carb diet.
Which fruits does Paul Saladino eat?
Saladino is selective about the types of fruit he consumes. His preferences often lean towards tropical and seasonal varieties that are local to him, such as:
- Mangoes: A sweet, carb-rich fruit.
- Pineapple: Another tropical option he includes.
- Papaya: Eaten for its sugar content and potentially beneficial properties.
- Berries: In moderation, as a lower-fructose option.
- Honey: While not a fruit, honey is a naturally derived sugar he also includes for carbohydrates.
He argues that these fruits are less likely to contain harmful compounds compared to vegetables or grains, which he still largely avoids. The amount of fruit can vary, with reports suggesting he gets a significant portion of his daily carbohydrates—up to 200-300 grams—from fruit and honey.
Contrasting the Old and New: Carnivore vs. Animal-Based
The table below highlights the key differences between Saladino's former strict carnivore diet and his current animal-based approach, specifically regarding his fruit consumption.
| Feature | Strict Carnivore (Paul Saladino's Past) | Animal-Based Diet (Paul Saladino's Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Food Group | Exclusively animal products (meat, organs, fish, certain dairy). | Primarily animal products, supplemented with fruit and honey. |
| Carbohydrates | Near-zero carbohydrate intake, aiming for a ketogenic state. | Significant carbohydrate intake from fruit and honey. |
| Rationale | Avoidance of all plant toxins and anti-nutrients. | Prioritization of low-toxicity, nutritionally dense carbohydrates from specific plants. |
| Health Focus | Minimizing inflammation and maximizing nutrient absorption from animal sources. | Addressing hormonal and electrolyte balance issues, in addition to nutrient optimization. |
| Allowed Plant Foods | None whatsoever. | Select fruits and honey. |
Saladino's Rationale: Fruit Sugar vs. Refined Sugar
Saladino’s change of heart on fruit sugar, or fructose, is another pivotal point in his dietary evolution. He has publicly discussed his re-evaluated perspective, stating that the context in which a sugar is consumed is crucial. Unlike high-fructose corn syrup or refined sugars, which are devoid of other nutrients, Saladino argues that the sugar in whole fruits is accompanied by other compounds like polyphenols. These compounds, he suggests, may mitigate some of the potential negative effects of the sugar itself, distinguishing it from an isolated sugar molecule.
He emphasizes that he is now more aligned with an ancestral way of eating, which would have naturally included seasonal fruits. His argument is that the human body is well-adapted to metabolize fruit sugars when consumed in their natural, whole form, especially for active individuals who require glycogen for fuel. This contrasts sharply with his former views, which lumped all forms of sugar into one category to be avoided. This nuanced position highlights his ongoing exploration of what constitutes an optimal human diet.
Conclusion: A Constantly Evolving Approach
In conclusion, the answer to the question "Does Paul Saladino eat fruit?" is a definitive yes, though this represents a notable shift from his original dietary stance. He has moved away from a dogmatic, all-meat carnivore diet to a more flexible "animal-based" protocol that strategically incorporates fruit and honey. This change was driven by his personal experience with health issues on a strict regimen, prompting a re-evaluation of his nutritional beliefs. His rationale centers on sourcing carbohydrates with minimal plant toxins and acknowledging the potential benefits of natural sugars in their whole-food context. Ultimately, Saladino's journey is a testament to the fact that dietary approaches, even those promoted by public figures, can and do evolve based on personal experimentation and new insights.
To learn more about his dietary evolution, visit the website discussing the benefits and risks of his diet approach.
The Takeaway: It's a Flexible Animal-Based Diet, Not Carnivore
Paul Saladino no longer adheres to a strict carnivore diet, having transitioned to an "animal-based" model that includes fruit and honey. This change was prompted by health issues, particularly related to electrolytes and hormones, experienced on his previous all-meat diet. His choice of fruit focuses on tropical varieties, and he justifies this inclusion by distinguishing between natural fruit sugars and processed ones. This evolved approach highlights his ongoing experimentation rather than a fixed dietary doctrine.
FAQ
Question: Is Paul Saladino still on the carnivore diet? Answer: No, Paul Saladino no longer follows a strict carnivore diet. He now adheres to an "animal-based" diet that includes meat, fruit, honey, and some raw dairy.
Question: Why did Paul Saladino add fruit to his diet? Answer: He began incorporating fruit and honey to resolve negative health effects, such as electrolyte imbalances and poor sleep, that he experienced on a strict meat-only diet.
Question: What specific fruits does Paul Saladino eat? Answer: He mentions eating tropical fruits like pineapple, mangoes, and papaya, which are local to him in Costa Rica. He also includes honey as a carbohydrate source.
Question: How does Saladino justify eating fruit when he warns against plant toxins? Answer: He argues that fruit contains the fewest plant defense chemicals compared to other plant foods like vegetables. He also believes the context of whole-food sugar is important.
Question: Is Paul Saladino's animal-based diet the same as a carnivore diet? Answer: No, the key difference is the inclusion of plant-based carbohydrates like fruit and honey, which are explicitly excluded from a strict carnivore diet.
Question: Do other carnivore diet advocates support Saladino's switch to fruit? Answer: His decision has been controversial within the purist carnivore community, with some criticizing his inclusion of non-animal products.
Question: Did Paul Saladino change his mind on fructose? Answer: Yes, he has changed his perspective, now arguing that fructose from whole fruit is not the same as refined sugar and can be part of a healthy diet, particularly for active people.
Question: How does Paul Saladino differentiate between fruit and honey vs. refined sugar? Answer: He states that whole foods like fruit and honey come with other compounds, such as polyphenols, which can mitigate the negative effects of pure, refined sugar.
Question: Has Saladino always held this perspective on fruit? Answer: No, his views have evolved. His earlier advocacy was for a strictly carnivore diet, whereas his current approach incorporates fruit based on his personal health experiments.
Question: What health benefits does Saladino attribute to adding fruit and honey? Answer: He reported improvements in sleep quality, electrolyte balance, and hormone issues after adding these carbohydrate sources back into his diet.
