Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Carnivore Couple
Topics: Food and Drink, Health, YouTube, Social Media, Fitness
Jen Thomas
Topics: Food and Drink, Health, YouTube, Social Media, Fitness
A man who ate nothing but red meat and eggs for a year has revealed the reason he quit the diet, despite praising the diet for 'changing his life'.
If you're a fan of carbs, look away now as this could be your worst nightmare.
Patrick Ensley had adopted the hardcore carnivore lifestyle last year, alongside his wife Caitlin, after he experienced severe chronic pain and weight gain.
He decided to take drastic measures to see what it could do for his health.
Advert
Committing to only eating red meat and eggs, the dieter revealed he started off at around 300 pounds but has managed to shift 140lbs, as well as a whopping 19 inches from his waist.
He said he started the diet to try and overcome a sugar and carb addiction.
He also experienced a reduction in pain, and says that the new diet did him the world of good, so why quit?
Patrick has been documenting his progress on YouTube under the name of The Carnivore Couple, but has shocked followers by announcing that he will no longer be following the strict diet.
In a video titled 'Why I Quit Carnivore' he explained: "I'm entering that maintenance phase now where I'm hitting my goals weight wise, and I'm wondering if I should stay carnivore."
He explained he will give three ways his diet will be changing and why he won't be able to call it carnivore anymore.
Patrick said his first reason was that he 'never wanted to be carnivore just to meet a definition', and said he wanted to lose weight to be there for his son and twins which are on the way, as well as being around for his grandchildren in future too.
He explained: "In the end, I want to do what makes my body feel its best. I've lost over 140lbs drinking coffee, eating mustard and red hot sauce, which people said 'that's not carnivore, you're not carnivore', but at the end of the day you have to do what's sustainable for you and helps you to be consistent for a long time."
Pat also showed himself using plenty of seasonings on his steak, which is apparently also not allowed on the strictest definition of carnivore eating.
His second reason is: "Now, that I'm at a healthy weight I'm no longer insulin resistant and I want to add a few things back in to see how my body reacts."
In other words, those sweet, sweet carbs.
"I still plan to be about 95% carnivore, but I'm starting to add low carb fruits in to see how my body reacts." He said he couldn't previously handle the fruit or the sugar, but he's been adding things like strawberries and blueberries back into his diet.
He says he has been able to stave off cravings for more sugar, and feels like fruits are 'fine' to eat if you're insulin sensitive and at a healthy weight.
He has also been experimenting with reintroducing jalapeno peppers as he believes if they are cooked, they are OK, so he has had jalapeno poppers made with cream cheese and a pork panko.
Patrick said he tried raw vegetables and had negative results.
"I'm still having eggs cooked in butter with New York strip, some chicken here and there, but if I want a little bit of sweetness I'll eat about five strawberries," he explained.
He refers to his diet as 'animal-based' now rather than carnivore.
"I don't want to live my life in constant restriction. Carnivore not only changed my life, it saved it... I'm not going to be as restrictive going forward. Instead of one meal a day, I'm having two meals a day."
He says he had one 'cheat meal' in 15 months, but he now might introduce one 'cheat meal' once a month.
Patrick again stressed the importance of finding what works for you and sticking to it.
Always speak to a doctor before making any drastic dietary changes.