What Do You Call a Person Who Eats Meat Only? Understanding the Carnivore Diet

While animals are scientifically classified as carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores based on their biology, a person who eats meat only is generally referred to by a modern dietary label. This practice has gained attention as the 'Carnivore Diet,' an exclusive all-meat and animal product regimen.

Quick Summary

This article clarifies the proper terms for someone who exclusively eats meat, distinguishing between the biological classification and modern dietary labels like 'carnitarian.'

Key Points

• Term Confusion: A human who eats only meat is not biologically a carnivore (humans are omnivores) but might colloquially be called one due to a specific diet choice.

• Modern Label: The most accurate term for a person on an exclusive meat-eating regimen is a 'carnitarian,' though many simply refer to it as the 'Carnivore Diet'.

• Nutritional Deficiencies: The primary risk of a carnivore diet is the lack of dietary fiber and key nutrients, like Vitamin C, found only in plant-based foods.

• Health Risks: Health experts warn that a long-term, meat-only diet can lead to digestive issues, heart problems due to high saturated fat intake, and stress on the kidneys.

• Historical Context: While some indigenous cultures historically had high-meat diets, these were often survival-based and included nutrient-dense organ meats, which differs from modern trends.

• No Scientific Consensus: Long-term clinical studies supporting the health claims of the modern Carnivore Diet are lacking, and most positive reports are anecdotal.

Terminology: Human Diet vs. Biological Classification

When considering what do you call a person who eats meat only, it is crucial to separate the biological classification of an animal from a modern human dietary choice. While the term 'carnivore' is technically and biologically correct for any organism that derives its energy from consuming animal tissue, applying it to humans is more of a colloquialism. Biologically, humans are considered omnivores, meaning our bodies are designed to derive nutrients from both plant and animal matter.

For humans intentionally following a meat-only diet, more specific terminology has emerged. Some may refer to themselves simply as being on the "Carnivore Diet". Others might use the neologism "carnitarian," a term specifically created to describe a person whose dietary choice is to only consume animal-sourced food, similar to how "vegetarian" refers to a human dietary choice. The phrase "zero carb" is also sometimes used, highlighting the elimination of carbohydrates that come primarily from plants.

The Carnivore Diet: What’s on the Menu?

The modern Carnivore Diet is an elimination diet that consists exclusively of animal products. The primary components typically include:

• Meat: This covers a wide range, including red meat (beef, lamb, pork), poultry (chicken, turkey), and organ meats, which are valued for their high nutrient density.
• Fish and Seafood: An important source of omega-3 fatty acids, often included for nutritional balance.
• Eggs: A staple of the diet, providing protein and fat.
• Dairy: Some variations include low-lactose dairy products like butter, hard cheeses, and heavy cream, while more restrictive versions exclude them.
• Salt: The only required seasoning, crucial for maintaining electrolyte balance on a zero-carb diet.

Notably, all plant-based foods are strictly excluded. This includes fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Some followers even remove all but ruminant meats and water, a restrictive variant known as the "Lion Diet".

Potential Health Effects and Controversies

Proponents of the Carnivore Diet cite various benefits, although most evidence is anecdotal or extrapolated from low-carb and ketogenic diet research. These claimed benefits often include:

• Weight loss: Drastically cutting carbs can lead to ketosis, where the body burns fat for fuel.
• Reduced inflammation: Some believe that eliminating plant-based food irritants can improve autoimmune conditions and reduce inflammation.
• Improved mental clarity: Reported by some to be a result of stabilized blood sugar and reduced systemic inflammation.

However, health and nutrition experts warn of significant risks and drawbacks associated with this restrictive eating plan. Potential issues include:

• Nutrient deficiencies: Eliminating all plant foods can lead to shortages of essential vitamins (like Vitamin C and E), minerals, and beneficial plant compounds like antioxidants.
• Digestive problems: The complete lack of dietary fiber, exclusively found in plants, often causes constipation.
• Cardiovascular concerns: The diet's high saturated fat and cholesterol content may increase the risk of heart disease, though some recent research challenges the strength of this link.
• Stress on kidneys: A very high protein intake can place added stress on the kidneys, potentially affecting long-term function.
• Sustainability: The long-term adherence to such a restrictive diet is questionable, and it may lead to disordered eating patterns.

The Carnivore Diet vs. The Ketogenic Diet

The Carnivore Diet is often confused with or seen as an offshoot of the ketogenic diet due to their low-carb nature, but they have key differences.

Feature	Carnivore Diet	Ketogenic Diet
Allowed Foods	Exclusively animal products: meat, fish, eggs, some dairy.	Animal products and select low-carb plant foods: leafy greens, vegetables, nuts, seeds.
Carbohydrate Intake	Aims for zero carbohydrates.	Restricts carbs significantly, typically to 20-50 grams per day.
Plant Food Intake	No plant foods allowed.	Incorporates a variety of low-carb plant foods, providing fiber and micronutrients.
Dietary Fiber	None.	Small to moderate amounts from plant sources.
Nutrient Variety	Limited to what is found in animal products, potentially leading to deficiencies.	Broader range of micronutrients due to the inclusion of plant-based foods.

A Broader Look at All-Meat Diets

While the Carnivore Diet is a modern trend, the concept of a high-meat diet has historical and anthropological precedent. Various indigenous cultures, such as the Inuit of the Arctic, traditionally relied heavily on animal foods like fish, seals, and whale meat, especially in regions where plant sources were scarce for much of the year. Similarly, some pastoralist communities, like the Maasai warriors in East Africa, historically consumed diets predominantly consisting of milk and meat.

However, it is important to contextualize these historical diets. They often included organ meats, which provide a more complete range of vitamins and minerals than muscle meat alone. This is different from many modern Carnivore Diet followers who may focus solely on muscle meats. Also, these were survival diets adapted to specific environments, not necessarily models for long-term optimal health in a modern context with access to varied food sources.

Conclusion

In summary, while the biological term for an animal that eats only meat is a carnivore, humans are technically omnivores. A person who chooses to follow an exclusive meat-only diet today is typically referred to as following the "Carnivore Diet," and might be called a "carnitarian" or a "carnivore" in a dietary context. This highly restrictive diet, while embraced by some for potential short-term benefits like weight loss, carries significant long-term health risks, including nutrient deficiencies and digestive issues, which are flagged by numerous health professionals. When considering such an extreme dietary shift, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional and weigh the potential drawbacks against any perceived gains. The debate over its health implications reflects broader conversations about nutritional science and dietary sustainability.

For more information on the potential risks and limitations of the carnivore diet, the British Heart Foundation offers a detailed overview of the potential negative effects on heart health and overall wellness, which can be found at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/behind-the-headlines/carnivore-diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'carnivore' the correct term for a human who eats only meat?

No, 'carnivore' is a biological term for animals. Humans are biologically omnivores. While a person on a meat-only diet might call themselves a carnivore colloquially, the more precise term is 'carnitarian'.

What is the Carnivore Diet?

The Carnivore Diet is a restrictive eating plan where individuals consume only animal products, including meat, fish, eggs, and sometimes dairy. It excludes all plant-based foods.

Are there any risks to following a meat-only diet?

Yes. Health experts warn of significant risks, including potential nutrient deficiencies (especially fiber and vitamin C), high saturated fat intake, kidney stress, and digestive problems like constipation.

What are some of the potential benefits of the Carnivore Diet?

Reported benefits, often based on anecdotal evidence, include short-term weight loss, reduced inflammation, and improved mental clarity. However, these claims lack substantial long-term scientific backing.

How does the Carnivore Diet differ from the Keto Diet?

While both are low-carb, the Keto Diet allows for a limited intake of certain plant foods like leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. The Carnivore Diet strictly excludes all plant matter, aiming for zero carbs.

Did historical human populations only eat meat?

Some indigenous cultures, like the Inuit, traditionally relied heavily on animal products due to their environment. However, their diets often included organ meats and were different from the modern Carnivore Diet.

Is the Carnivore Diet a sustainable lifestyle?

Most health professionals consider the Carnivore Diet extremely difficult to sustain long-term due to its restrictive nature. Balanced diets with varied food sources are generally considered more sustainable for overall health.