The Shift from PHD to a Pure Carnivore Diet
Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician and vocal advocate for low-carb nutrition, initially developed and promoted his philosophy through the Proper Human Diet (PHD). The PHD was already restrictive, emphasizing high-quality meats and animal fats while minimizing or eliminating most plant-based foods. However, around 2020, Dr. Berry transitioned to an even more focused approach, adopting a strict, all-meat carnivore diet based on personal experimentation and observation. His mission is to promote this lifestyle to help people combat chronic conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hyperinsulinemia. The central belief is that human physiology is best suited for an animal-based diet, mirroring ancestral eating patterns.
Dr. Ken Berry's Approved Food List
For anyone wondering what does Dr. Ken Berry eat, the list is straightforward and focuses entirely on animal-based products. The core of his diet is built on fatty meat and animal fats, with the addition of other animal products like eggs and organ meats.
- Ruminant Meats: The absolute cornerstone of the diet. This includes fatty cuts of beef (like ribeye), lamb, bison, and venison. Dr. Berry often highlights that consuming fatty cuts provides a greater feeling of satiety and superior nutrition.
- Other Animal Meats: Pork, chicken, turkey, and other poultry are also included. Fatty cuts like pork belly are considered excellent for boosting fat intake.
- Organ Meats: Considered 'nature's premier multivitamin,' organ meats such as liver, heart, and kidney are highly recommended for their dense concentration of vitamins and minerals. Berry urges followers to incorporate liver regularly.
- Eggs: He considers eggs one of the most nutritionally complete foods available, containing a powerful combination of healthy fats and complete proteins.
- Seafood: Fish, such as fatty salmon, and shellfish like oysters and mussels are approved, though advised to be consumed with caution due to potential pollution.
- Animal Fats: This includes butter, ghee, lard, and tallow. Berry stresses the importance of cooking with and liberally applying these fats to meals.
- Limited Dairy: Full-fat, low-lactose dairy like hard cheeses, heavy cream, and butter are permitted for those who tolerate them well. However, he suggests a dairy-free trial for 30-90 days to check for sensitivities.
- Bone Broth: Homemade bone broth is highly encouraged to provide collagen and minerals.
Foods Dr. Ken Berry Avoids
Equally important to what Dr. Berry eats is what he avoids. His diet philosophy is defined by a strict elimination of all plant-based foods and processed items that were not part of ancestral human diets.
- Sugar and Grains: All forms of sugar and grains are completely eliminated, including bread, pasta, and rice.
- Industrial Seed Oils: He regards industrial vegetable oils (like canola, soy, and corn oil) as toxic and inflammatory and advises against them entirely.
- Most Fruits and Vegetables: While the original PHD allowed for some low-carb leafy greens, his current carnivore diet strictly excludes all plant foods. He views plant foods as non-essential and potentially containing toxins.
- Nuts and Seeds: These are avoided due to their high fiber and omega-6 content, along with potential antinutrients.
- Processed Foods: All highly processed foods with long ingredient lists are off the table.
Carnivore vs. Standard American Diet
To better understand Dr. Berry's philosophy, a comparison with the standard American diet (SAD) is essential. The contrast highlights the fundamental differences in nutritional focus and health outcomes.
| Feature | Dr. Ken Berry's Carnivore Diet | Standard American Diet (SAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Fatty, nutrient-dense animal products. | High carbohydrates, processed foods, and added sugars. |
| Macronutrient Ratio | High fat, moderate protein, zero-to-low carb. | High carbohydrate, moderate protein, variable fat (often high in inflammatory omega-6s). |
| Food Quality | Emphasis on high-quality, ancestrally-aligned whole foods. | Heavy reliance on processed, nutrient-poor, industrially produced foods. |
| Plant Foods | Strictly eliminated. | Core components, including grains, fruits, and vegetables. |
| Oils | Uses only animal fats (butter, lard, tallow). | Frequently uses inflammatory seed and vegetable oils. |
| Health Goals | Reversing metabolic diseases, reducing inflammation, weight loss. | Often associated with chronic illnesses and weight gain. |
| Meal Frequency | Focuses on 1-3 full meals a day, eating to satiety with no snacking. | Encourages frequent eating and snacking. |
Conclusion: The Carnivore Lifestyle
Dr. Ken Berry's eating style has evolved from the low-carb PHD to a more strict carnivore diet, based on his belief that focusing exclusively on animal products is optimal for human health. He centers his meals around high-fat meats, organ meats, and other animal products, while meticulously avoiding all processed foods and plant matter. This nutrient-dense approach is designed to promote satiety, reduce inflammation, and help manage or reverse metabolic conditions. For those considering this path, he recommends focusing on high-quality, fatty meats, eating nose-to-tail, and liberally using animal fats for cooking. Adherence requires eliminating sugar, grains, and vegetable oils from the diet completely. For more detailed information on his philosophy and resources, one can visit his official website at https://www.drberry.com/community.
A Sample Day of Eating for Dr. Berry
While Dr. Berry emphasizes flexibility and eating to satiety, a representative daily meal plan might include:
- Breakfast (or first meal of the day): Scrambled eggs cooked in butter, often accompanied by bacon or sausages.
- Lunch (optional): A large, fatty piece of steak, such as a ribeye, cooked in beef tallow.
- Dinner: Ground beef patties cooked with butter or a meal incorporating nutrient-rich organ meats like liver. Bone broth may also be consumed.
- Beverages: Water, and sometimes black coffee or tea, are the only drinks consumed.
This simple structure contrasts sharply with modern dietary habits and reflects his focus on primal, animal-based nutrition.
