Interview with Carla.

1) Introduce Yourself

My name is Carla; I’m a Brazilian lawyer living the American dream. I work for a Cosmetics Company but my passion is nutrition. What keeps me motivated and inspired in life is my love for traveling, meeting new people, discovering new cultures and enjoying delicious local foods. Being open-minded to experience new things is very empowering and exciting.

2) How did you eat before Carnivore?

I grow up pretty much as a vegetarian and kept a healthy weight in my teenage years. It was in my early twenties when I started developing signs of compulsive eating. For many years, I was obsessed with diets, counting calories and starving myself to keep skinny. It was only about 6 years ago when I realized that I was damaging my health and I needed to change.  I started researching about nutrition and tried to figure out what would be the best approach to get healthier.

I started with the gluten-free, plant-based kind of vegetarian diet for a few years. It was a huge improvement in my relationship with food, but I still struggled to keep the weight stable and control my food addictions. I learned later about the low-carb and keto diets. I got really interested since my most difficult struggles were with carbs and sugar. The Keto diet was extremely positive to improve my health in general. I experienced great results like weight loss, and it was easier to keep my cravings under control.

Even doing keto for almost a year, I still didn’t have any red meat on my diet. Probably, it was what was missing, and after more than 30 years, I reintroduced red meat in my life, around the same time I decided to give the Carnivore Diet a try, and it was a life changing experience.

3) Why did you try Carnivore to begin with?

Carnivore Diet for me was a natural transition from keto. Even on keto diet, I was still overeating some kinds of foods and not eating enough meat. I thought that by doing an Elimination diet, I would re-educate my body since I am not the typical carnivore that loves meat. I’m learning to enjoy a steak after so many years as a vegetarian.  The Carnivore Diet keeps me on track both mentally and physically.

4) How do you personally approach the Carnivore Diet?

I’m learning and experiencing new things every day, but at the same time, I’m trying to keep it simple and practical. I eliminated, almost completely, dairy for now. I still have some cream in my coffee. I eat a lot of pastured eggs, and progressively, I am replacing chicken for more fatty cuts of red meats. I incorporated Intermittent Fasting, and I basically eat two or three meals per day. I don’t want to gain weight on the Carnivore Diet, so I am trying to have moderate portions and not snack during the day. It is very important for the success of this diet to not get too hungry.  I believe that we don’t need to over-eat, and finding our own balance is the key.

5) What benefits have you seen since starting the carnivore Diet?

I’ve been on the Carnivore Diet for just 4 months. However, I can feel many benefits. I enjoy the feeling of not being hungry and thinking about food all the time. I’m feeling stronger, more energetic, less bloated. My mood, digestion, and skin are much better, too.

Every winter, for many years, I suffered from Raynaud’s Syndrome, poor circulation causing painful inflammation in the fingertips.  This year, for the first time, I have hardly experienced any symptoms. I’m extremely pleased about that. I believe I have less inflammation in my body, and for sure, my hormones have improved.

For me, all those physical improvements are amazing, but what is more exciting and rewarding is the emotional peace I’m feeling. The Carnivore lifestyle has made me calm and helped me have a more restful sleep. Definitively, eating this way have reduced my anxiety and is giving me the straight to have more control over what I eat. I’m not craving carbs and sweets all the time. The meat fulfills me and makes me happy.

6) What negatives have you found with the Carnivore Diet.

There aren’t too many downsides, besides not being able to eat some of the foods that I still love, but I know they are not good for me. I could say that it is still challenging to keep the Carnivore Diet when I travel or go to social events. I’m getting better, but it is a little tricky to pack lunch for work. For me, the Carnivore Diet is not a diet but a lifestyle.  I’m touching just the tip of the iceberg, and I know I still have a long way to go.

7) Do you exercise on the Carnivore Diet, if so how do you find it and what do you do?

I do exercise. I try to do some kind of physical activity every day. I work out two or three times a week at the Gym (basic strength training/cardio), and when I’m not doing that, I do yoga, walk or run. I feel stronger, and definitively, my New Year’s resolution is to improve my muscle mass.

8) What piece of advice would you give someone who is interested in trying this diet, but hasn’t taken the leap yet?

I believe that there isn’t a single diet that works perfectly for everybody. Our bodies, minds, and cultures are so unique and different. Each person has to listen to his or her own body and figure out which one is better. We have to take ownership of our health and not wait for others to solve our problems. Keep motivated, read books, research, watch videos and listen to podcasts. They definitively helped me and were a great way to build knowledge. Eat real foods, cook at home, plan and prepare yourself for the challenge. Keep track of your results and progress. Try to get a friend to join the journey with you: exchange of experiences, successes, and failures makes all the difference. I would advise people to try the Carnivore Diet for a month then go from there.

9) Do you think Carnivore will ever be accepted as a mainstream diet?

I totally believe the Carnivore Diet will be accepted as a mainstream diet. A few years ago Keto Diet was considered extremely dangerous, restrictive and unhealthy. Today, it is very popular, and there are many scientific studies to prove its efficacy. The same thing is already happening to the Carnivore Diet. People that can’t find solutions to their health problems are desperately looking for new approaches. The Carnivore Diet clearly works, and with the help of social media, word is spreading fast.

10) Anything you would like to add, and where can people follow your journey.

Regardless of your current situation in life, prioritize your health and let your goals and resolutions motivate, encourage, and inspire you, no matter what you do.

I share my Carnivore Lifestyle adventures on Instagram @hungrycarnivoregirl

Ketogenic Endurance – I hoped you enjoyed this post.

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