The Carnivore Diet: What is the Name of the Diet with Only Protein?

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

According to nutritionists, a truly protein-only diet is medically unfeasible and dangerous, yet a popular fad diet exists that promotes this ideal. This extreme eating plan is called the carnivore diet and is what most people are searching for when they ask, "What is the name of the diet with only protein?". This guide explains its premise, its risks, and healthier alternatives.

Quick Summary

The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive fad consisting of only animal products and excluding all plant foods, leading to nutrient deficiencies and health risks.

Key Points

Carnivore Diet: This is the closest and most extreme form of a "protein-only" diet, involving consumption of only animal products.
Nutritional Deficiencies: The carnivore diet lacks essential nutrients, fiber, and vitamins found in plant-based foods, leading to health risks.
Health Risks: Potential dangers include high LDL cholesterol, kidney damage, constipation, and nutrient deficiencies.
No Scientific Backing: Claims about the carnivore diet's health benefits are mostly anecdotal and lack robust clinical evidence.
Balanced Alternatives: Safer, more sustainable high-protein diets exist that incorporate a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates from varied food sources.
Consult Professionals: Due to significant health risks, consulting a doctor or dietitian is crucial before attempting extreme diets.

What is a "Protein-Only" Diet?

Despite popular searches for a diet with only protein, a truly protein-exclusive diet is both impractical and medically unsound. The human body requires a balance of macronutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrates—for essential functions. An excessive, singular focus on protein can lead to a condition known as "rabbit starvation" or protein poisoning, which results from a diet lacking fat. In this state, the liver is overwhelmed by the metabolic demands of processing large quantities of protein, leading to severe nutritional imbalances and illness. For these reasons, the concept of a "protein-only diet" is a misnomer, and what people typically mean is a very high-protein, zero-carbohydrate diet, the most extreme version of which is the carnivore diet.

The Carnivore Diet: An All-Animal Approach

The carnivore diet, also known as the zero-carb diet, is a restrictive eating plan that consists exclusively of animal products. This includes meat, fish, eggs, and certain dairy products. The diet's proponents believe that by eliminating all plant-based foods, they can address various health issues like autoimmune disorders, inflammation, and weight management. However, these claims are largely based on anecdotal evidence and lack substantial scientific backing. In fact, experts express significant health concerns regarding the diet's safety and long-term sustainability.

Key Components of the Carnivore Diet

Allowed Foods: Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, butter, lard, and some hard cheeses are typically consumed. Water is the primary beverage.
Forbidden Foods: All fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds are strictly excluded. This eliminates major sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Some variations also restrict dairy.
The Lion Diet: A more extreme version, popularized on social media, limits intake to only ruminant meat (like beef or lamb), salt, and water.

Comparison of Protein-Focused Diets

Not all high-protein diets are created equal. The table below compares the ultra-restrictive carnivore diet with other popular high-protein eating plans that allow for more nutritional diversity.


Feature	Carnivore Diet	Atkins Diet (Phases)	Paleo Diet	Standard High-Protein Diet
Carbohydrates	Zero intake	Very low, gradually increases	Low to moderate	Balanced with other macros
Fat	High intake from animal sources	High intake from various sources	Moderate, focusing on healthy fats	Moderate, from balanced sources
Protein Source	Animal products only	Animal products, supplemented with some plant-based foods	Lean animal sources, fish	Lean meats, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts
Fiber Source	None	Limited from low-carb veggies	Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds	Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes
Nutrient Diversity	Extremely low; high risk of deficiencies	Moderate to low, can be supplemented	Moderate to high, depending on food choices	High, encourages balanced food groups
Sustainability	Very difficult; not recommended long-term	Designed for long-term management	Designed for long-term health	Highly sustainable and recommended

Significant Health Risks of the Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet, in its pursuit of a "protein-only" approach, exposes followers to a host of health dangers that should not be overlooked. The elimination of entire food groups means the body is deprived of crucial nutrients it needs to function properly.

List of Potential Risks

Nutrient Deficiencies: The absence of plant-based foods means no dietary fiber, and a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, folate, and calcium. This can lead to issues like scurvy, constipation, and other gastrointestinal problems.
High LDL Cholesterol: A diet heavy in red meat and saturated fats can significantly increase LDL ("bad") cholesterol, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Kidney Strain: The high protein load forces the kidneys to work harder to filter waste products, which can exacerbate existing kidney disease or cause damage over time.
Gout: A high intake of red meat and certain seafood can elevate uric acid levels, increasing the risk of gout.
Microbiome Disruption: Eliminating fiber can severely damage the gut microbiome, which is vital for digestive health and overall immunity.
Mental Health Issues: The restrictive nature of the diet and lack of carbohydrates can negatively impact mood, energy levels, and cognitive function.

Who Should Avoid a "Protein-Only" Diet?

While some individuals may be drawn to the restrictive nature of a carnivore diet for perceived health benefits, certain groups of people should absolutely avoid this eating pattern. Those with existing kidney disease, for example, could face severe health complications due to the high protein burden on their filtering organs. People with a history of cardiovascular disease or high cholesterol should also steer clear, as the high intake of saturated fat could worsen their condition. In general, anyone with underlying chronic health issues should consult with a healthcare professional before considering such an extreme dietary change. Moreover, long-term sustainability is a major concern, and most healthy adults will find such a limited diet difficult to adhere to without experiencing significant side effects.

Conclusion: Prioritize Balance Over Extremes

While the search for a simple, quick-fix solution to health concerns is understandable, the answer to "what is the name of the diet with only protein?" leads to a path fraught with risk. The carnivore diet is not a sustainable or healthy long-term option due to its extreme restrictions and severe nutritional deficiencies. Instead of pursuing an all-or-nothing approach, a balanced diet that incorporates lean protein sources, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense plant foods is the most effective and safest route to achieving health goals. If you are considering a high-protein diet, seek guidance from a doctor or registered dietitian to find a plan that is both safe and tailored to your specific needs. A balanced approach is almost always the best approach. Learn more about the potential risks and nutritional needs of high-protein diets from authoritative health organizations.

Mayo Clinic - High-protein diets: Are they safe?

Frequently Asked Questions

The carnivore diet is the closest thing to a diet with only protein. It is an extremely restrictive fad diet that consists entirely of animal products, including meat, fish, and eggs, while excluding all plant-based foods.

No, eating only protein is not safe or possible long-term. Such a restrictive diet would lead to severe nutrient deficiencies, lack of fiber, and potential organ damage from the metabolic burden of processing excessive protein.

Rabbit starvation is a form of malnutrition caused by a diet that is too lean, consisting almost entirely of protein with little to no fat. The body cannot efficiently process an overabundance of protein without fat, which can lead to illness or even death.

Common health risks include nutrient deficiencies (especially fiber and vitamin C), high cholesterol levels, impaired kidney function, constipation, and an increased risk of chronic diseases due to its restrictive nature.

The health benefits often associated with the carnivore diet are largely based on anecdotal claims rather than scientific evidence. Any short-term benefits often come with significant long-term risks and could likely be achieved through a more balanced, less extreme diet.

Healthier alternatives include balanced high-protein diets, like the Paleo or Zone diet, which emphasize lean protein while incorporating healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables to ensure a broader nutrient intake. A standard high-protein diet for weight loss is also a more balanced approach.

People with existing kidney disease, those with high cholesterol or a history of heart disease, and anyone with a history of disordered eating should avoid the carnivore diet. Consulting a healthcare provider is essential for anyone considering such a major dietary change.