The carnivore diet—a regimen that consists exclusively of animal products—has exploded in popularity over the past few years. What started as a niche elimination diet has become mainstream, thanks in large part to the celebrities, athletes, and influencers who have shared their transformative results.
Let's explore why this diet is attracting high-profile followers and how it might aid in weight loss.
Celebrity Endorsements: Who's Going All-In on Meat?
Several notable figures have publicly shared their experiences with the carnivore diet. Here's what they've reported:
🎙️ Joe Rogan
The comedian and host of The Joe Rogan Experience undertook a 30-day carnivore challenge, documenting his journey for his millions of listeners. He reported losing 12 pounds, increased energy levels, and significant improvement in his autoimmune condition (vitiligo), noting that "bunches of white spots went away" . He did mention initial digestive adjustments, including two weeks of diarrhea before things normalized .
🥩 Jordan & Mikhaila Peterson
The psychologist and his daughter have both advocated for the diet. Mikhaila Peterson developed the "Lion Diet" (ruminant meat, salt, water) to manage severe autoimmune conditions and depression that had plagued her since childhood. She has written extensively on her website about her remission from juvenile arthritis. Jordan Peterson credits the diet with resolving his own health issues, including sleep apnea and depression .
🏆 Georges St-Pierre (GSP)
The former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion experimented with the carnivore diet under the guidance of Dr. Paul Saladino. He reported losing 4 pounds, feeling "lean and strong," and noted that inflammation from arthritis in his big toe disappeared . His ulcerative colitis symptoms also improved significantly .
🥊 Chad Mendes
The retired UFC featherweight contender used the carnivore diet to manage his psoriasis. On Instagram, he shared before-and-after photos showing remarkable improvement after two months on the diet, writing: "The crazy thing is, I have been told by two different dermatologists that 'diet has no affect on psoriasis'... A picture says a thousand words" .
🏛️ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.)
The current HHS Secretary and MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement leader follows a carnivore diet. In a February 2026 interview with Fox News, he revealed his Super Bowl snack would be yogurt, explaining: "I'm on a carnivore diet, so I just eat meat and ferments, and I'm very happy with that" . He has declared that the "war on protein is over" and urges Americans to check ingredients for seed oils and corn syrup .
🐻 Bear Grylls
The survivalist and TV host made headlines when he publicly switched from a vegan to a primarily carnivorous diet. He reported feeling "drained" on a plant-based diet and sought to restore his vitality. His current approach focuses heavily on red meat and nutrient-rich organs like liver .
🏋️ Dr. Shawn Baker
An orthopedic surgeon and world-record-holding rower (Concept 2 ergometer), Baker serves as both a medical advocate and living proof of the diet's athletic potential. His performance challenges conventional wisdom that high-intensity anaerobic activity requires carbohydrates.
🏋️ Mark & Chris Bell (The Bell Brothers)
Powerlifters and filmmakers behind the documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster, the Bell brothers have been instrumental in bringing the carnivore diet into the strength sports community. They use meat-based nutrition to maintain strength while managing body composition.
🥩 Bella (Steak and Butter Gal)
A classically trained pianist and violinist who studied at Juilliard, Bella transitioned from vegan to carnivore and has gained 627,000 YouTube subscribers sharing her journey. She credits the diet with resolving health issues she experienced during her vegan years .
🏋️ Eric Kim
A street-photographer-turned-fitness-philosopher with approximately 1 million TikTok followers, Kim lives on one enormous all-meal each night after training. He reports that this radical simplicity supercharges strength, mental focus, and creative output, documenting his 6.8×-body-weight rack pulls and daily physique updates online .
🩺 Dr. Tony Hampton
A board-certified family and obesity medicine physician, Dr. Hampton follows and advocates for the carnivore diet. He is a founding member of the American Diabetes Society and has treated patients with multiple chronic conditions since 1998 .
What Do They Actually Eat?
|
Celebrity |
Typical Intake |
|
Joe Rogan |
Ribeye steaks, ground beef, eggs, bone broth, occasional liver |
|
Mikhaila Peterson |
Beef, salt, water (ruminant meat only) |
|
Georges St-Pierre |
Red meat, organs, eggs, salt |
|
Heidi Montag |
Raw steak, raw liver, raw eggs, beef tallow |
|
Eric Kim |
One massive evening meal (2-3 lbs beef or lamb) |
How the Carnivore Diet May Promote Weight Loss
While scientific research on the carnivore diet is still emerging, several mechanisms suggest it could support weight loss:
|
Mechanism |
How It Works |
Source |
|
Increased satiety |
High protein intake increases peptide YY and GLP-1, hormones that signal fullness |
|
|
Simplified eating choices |
Restricted food variety naturally reduces calorie intake without conscious restriction |
|
|
Stable blood sugar |
Carbohydrate elimination reduces insulin spikes and promotes fat oxidation |
A 2021 case series in Current Developments in Nutrition documented self-reported improvements in weight, mood, and energy among carnivore diet adherents. However, the authors emphasized the need for controlled trials to establish causality.
Considerations Before Going Full Carnivore
Before diving into an all-meat diet, it's essential to weigh potential benefits against possible risks:
Potential Nutrient Deficiencies
- Vitamin C: While meat contains some vitamin C (particularly liver), levels are lower than in fruits and vegetables. The NIH notes that vitamin C deficiency can occur on restrictive diets if organ meats are not included.
- Fiber: The carnivore diet contains zero fiber. While some individuals report improved digestion without fiber, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes that fiber supports gut microbiome diversity in most populations.
Digestive Issues
Some individuals report digestive discomfort when transitioning to a carnivore diet, including changes in bowel movements. A gradual transition (rather than going "cold turkey") may ease these symptoms. Joe Rogan, for example, reported two weeks of digestive adjustment before things normalized .
Long-Term Health Effects
The long-term impacts of the carnivore diet are not well-studied. A 2020 meta-analysis in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found no significant association between dietary saturated fat and cardiovascular disease when consumed as part of a nutrient-dense whole-foods diet—but emphasized that food source matters.
Quality matters: regeneratively raised beef has a more favorable fatty acid profile than conventionally raised grain-fed beef .
Who Should Avoid the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet is not for everyone. Avoid if you:
- Have kidney disease (high protein load can be problematic)
- Have a history of eating disorders
- Have specific nutrient deficiencies that require plant-based sources
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding (safety data is lacking)
Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any restrictive diet.
The Bottom Line
The carnivore diet's popularity among celebrities has spotlighted its potential for weight loss and other health benefits. Anecdotal reports from figures like Joe Rogan, Georges St-Pierre, Mikhaila Peterson, and RFK Jr. have driven interest, and mechanistic research supports possible benefits for satiety, blood sugar stability, and simplified eating.
However, the diet is not without risks. Potential nutrient deficiencies, digestive adjustments, and unknown long-term effects warrant caution. If you choose to explore the carnivore diet, prioritize high-quality, regeneratively raised meat—like what we offer at Dude Food—and consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it aligns with your individual health needs.
