Marcella La Cioppa A man who drastically changed his diet to limit himself to red meat and eggs has revealed the impacts it had on his weight and overall health.
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Patrick Ensley and his wife, Caitlynn, embarked on a unique self-experiment: adopting a carnivore diet. At the start of this journey, Patrick weighed approximately 300 pounds (136 kg).
In an interview, Patrick shared:
“I would wake up multiple times during the night. Even after 10 hours of sleep, I’d wake up just wanting to go back to bed.”
Patrick also struggled with severe physical discomfort. He would find himself breathless after climbing a single flight of stairs and described feeling like a “prisoner” in his own body due to being “so big, heavy, and unhealthy”.
How Patrick changed his diet
To regain control of his health, Patrick adopted a strict carnivore diet, consuming:
- A 1-pound (450 g) steak daily
- 1 pound (500 g) of ground beef
- Half a dozen eggs
He removed all non-carnivore foods from his home to resist temptation and devised a structured eating plan to prevent excessive snacking. When he did snack, options included homemade meatballs, pork rinds, string cheese, beef jerky, salami, and pepperoni.
What impact did the carnivore diet have?
One year later, Patrick’s transformation was remarkable. He lost 140 pounds (63 kg) and shed 19 inches (48 cm) from his waistline. His sleep quality improved dramatically, and he now wakes up feeling “refreshed, energized,” and free of the aches and pains that once plagued him.
“Even after the first month or two, I noticed a huge change in my mood, ambition, and positivity. I felt mentally better almost immediately,” Patrick noted.
What do experts say about the carnivore diet?
The carnivore diet has sparked debate among health professionals. While Patrick’s success is undeniable, experts warn of potential risks. These include increased intake of saturated fats, which could lead to higher cholesterol levels, and potential health issues such as kidney stones, gout, and osteoporosis.
Moreover, the diet’s high protein content may strain kidney function, and the absence of fruits and vegetables could result in deficiencies in essential nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin E.
