After 4 Years on Carnivore, Here's What I'd NEVER Do Again

Summary

After four years following a carnivore diet, Jenny Mitich says she would be less dogmatic about popular rules and more attentive to her own health, preferences, and results. Her main message is that a carnivore diet can be a useful tool, but there is no single version that works for everyone.

Strategies She Would Use Instead

• Don’t assume more fat is always better. Include enough natural fat to support energy and satisfaction, but don’t force extra butter, tallow, or cream—especially if fat loss is a goal. Prioritize protein, then adjust fat based on energy, digestion, activity, and goals.
• Don’t fixate on calorie counting—or dismiss energy intake altogether. Mitich favors eating protein-rich meals until pleasantly full and observing hunger, energy, digestion, strength, waist size, and body composition. If progress stalls, review intake and activity along with other possible factors.
• Avoid unnecessary food restrictions. A strict elimination approach may help some people investigate symptoms, but it need not be the only acceptable version. Consider a range of animal foods—such as eggs, seafood, poultry, pork, and dairy if tolerated—and use modest seasonings if they work for you.
• Use blood tests and other health indicators. Mitich recommends considering baseline tests before changing diets and follow-up testing after a period of time. Markers may include cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, insulin, thyroid measures when relevant, blood pressure, and personal risk factors.
• Treat fasting as optional, not a requirement. Rather than starting with aggressive fasting, first establish filling meals and adequate nutrition. Let appetite guide meal timing; don’t force one meal a day just because it is popular.
• Keep supplements targeted. Start with adequate food and protein, hydration, attention to electrolytes during a transition, sleep, and movement. Consider supplements for a specific need or deficiency rather than assuming a large stack is necessary.
• Measure progress beyond the scale. Weight can fluctuate, and early losses may include water. Track longer-term trends and consider waist measurements, body composition, strength, and metabolic markers too.
• Include movement, especially strength training. Regular resistance training—two or three sessions weekly as a possible start—and walking can support muscle and physical function. Diet does not replace the stimulus of movement.
• Investigate problems instead of automatically getting stricter. Persistent fatigue, digestive issues, poor sleep, or other symptoms may have many possible causes, including insufficient protein, excessive fat, stress, overtraining, food intolerance, or a medical issue. Don’t assume every problem means the diet needs tighter rules.
• Personalize the approach and reassess it. Pay attention to how you feel, sleep, recover, and perform, as well as objective measures. Be willing to change what you’re doing instead of following someone else’s rules or prioritizing a diet identity.

Mitich’s closing principles are to learn the basics, prioritize protein, avoid assuming more fat is always better, monitor health, build muscle, eat enough, and stay curious. The video also includes a sponsored segment promoting Crowd Health, which Mitich describes as a healthcare crowdfunding community rather than insurance.

Presenters and Sources

• Jenny Mitich — Presenter and author of Complete Carnivore.
• Andy Schoonover — Crowd Health founder and CEO, mentioned in a sponsored interview.
• Crowd Health — Sponsor featured in the video.