The Shift from Strict Carnivore
Paul Saladino, initially known as 'Carnivore MD', gained prominence as a leading advocate for the carnivore diet, which he detailed in his book, The Carnivore Code. His original dietary philosophy centered on consuming only animal products, believing plants contained harmful toxins. However, around 2020, Saladino publicly disclosed experiencing negative health symptoms on the long-term strict carnivore regimen, including sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, and a drop in testosterone levels. He openly discussed his conclusion that long-term ketosis might not be optimal for most people and decided to modify his approach, marking a significant evolution in his dietary philosophy.
Components of the Animal-Based Diet
Saladino's current 'animal-based' diet prioritizes nose-to-tail animal consumption, but reintroduces a select number of plant foods. The core components are:
- High-Quality Meat and Organ Meats: This remains a cornerstone of his diet. He emphasizes consuming nose-to-tail, including nutrient-dense organ meats like liver, heart, and kidney, from grass-fed and regeneratively raised animals whenever possible.
- Fruit: He re-introduced fruit as a carbohydrate source, based on his belief that fruit is a "least toxic" plant food, evolved to be eaten and dispersed by animals.
- Raw Honey: As another source of carbohydrates and glucose, he includes raw honey in his daily intake.
- Raw Dairy: Raw milk and other raw dairy products are also included, provided they are well-tolerated.
- Other Select Plant Foods: Occasional additions of avocado and certain squashes have also been observed, which he classifies as fruits with less toxic defense chemicals.
The Rationale for Saladino's Choices
Saladino's animal-based diet is rooted in his interpretation of ancestral eating patterns, refined by his personal experience. His rationale for incorporating certain foods and excluding others is detailed below:
- Organ Meats: His continued advocacy for organ meats stems from their unparalleled nutrient density. He cites grass-fed liver as being rich in bioavailable vitamins A and B12, while heart provides CoQ10 for cardiovascular health.
- Fruit and Honey: The reintroduction of carbohydrates via fruit and honey was crucial for addressing the hormonal and electrolyte imbalances he experienced on a strict carnivore diet. He views fruit's natural sweetness as a signal that the plant 'wants' to be eaten, resulting in fewer defense chemicals compared to leaves or seeds.
- Continued Plant Avoidance: Despite adding fruit, Saladino maintains his stance against most other plant foods, such as grains, seeds, and fibrous vegetables, due to concerns over 'anti-nutrients' and other plant defense chemicals. He believes these compounds can cause inflammation and other negative health effects.
Comparing Carnivore and Animal-Based Diets
| Feature | Strict Carnivore Diet | Animal-Based Diet (Saladino's) |
|---|---|---|
| Protein & Fat Source | Exclusively meat, organs, and animal fats. | Meat, organs, animal fats, and eggs. |
| Carbohydrate Source | None; diet is ketogenic. | Fruit and raw honey. |
| Dairy | May include some hard cheeses and butter. | Includes raw milk and dairy products. |
| Plants Included | None. | "Least toxic" fruits and select soft plants like avocado. |
| Health Rationale | Evolutionary biology, nutrient density, and avoidance of plant toxins. | Evolutionary biology, nutrient density, and minimizing plant toxins, but with carbohydrates for hormonal and metabolic health. |
A Typical Day's Meal Structure
Based on his public content and diet showcases, a day in the life of Paul Saladino's eating might look like this:
Breakfast: A larger meal often consisting of fatty cuts of meat like ribeye steak, potentially with raw egg yolks or a glass of raw milk.
Lunch: Might include more cooked meat, often mixed with a fruit like papaya or mango.
Dinner: A meal of beef patties or other meat, possibly accompanied by another helping of fruit or a spoonful of raw honey.
Throughout the Day: He might have organ meat supplements from his company, Heart & Soil, and consume raw honey for energy, especially before or after exercise.
Conclusion: An Evolving Nutritional Philosophy
Paul Saladino's dietary journey demonstrates a willingness to adapt based on personal health experiences, moving beyond the strict ideology of the all-meat carnivore diet. His current animal-based diet reflects a recalibrated focus on ancestral eating, which now incorporates fruit and honey to address issues he faced with long-term ketosis. While his diet remains controversial and highly restrictive by conventional standards, it is a testament to his evolving philosophy on nutrition. His journey offers an important lesson for anyone following a restrictive diet: listen to your body and be open to adjusting your approach, even if it means moving away from a stance you once championed. For those interested in exploring his brand further, his company offers more resources on the topic: Heart & Soil: The Ultimate Guide To The Animal-Based Diet.
