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Jenny McCarthy is claiming veganism made her sick and that a carnivore diet has been “incredible” for her health. (Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)
Jenny McCarthy is opening up about a new meat-only diet she’s following, one that numerous experts have warned might come with health risks. The Masked Singer judge, 52, was a recent guest on a podcast hosted by TV host Maria Menounos, 46, where she explained she “almost died” as a vegan and was advised to go “full carnivore.”
“I tried vegan and I almost died. I literally almost died,” the model said on an episode of the “Heal Squad x Maris Menounos” podcast. “I became so ill from being a vegan. … I was exhausted, fatigued — I was a mess.”
McCarthy shared her functional medicine doctor told her last year to go “full carnivore,” and doing so gave her “huge energy.” She added going carnivore was her “last resort diet,” but that it has been “incredible” for her health. The former co-host of The View explained she now experiences normal digestion without needing laxatives.
She’s not the first celebrity to try adopting a carnivore diet. McCarthy joins the ranks of people like Joe Rogan, Heidi Montag, Emma Slater and Mikhaila Peterson, all of whom have touted the supposed benefits of a diet full of meat and animal products. Even TikTok wellness influencers have suggested the carnivore diet is a solution for everything from adult acne to gut health.
However, experts have been raising concerns about solely eating animal products, insisting a carnivore diet could come with health risks. In a previous interview, Canadian dietitian Abbey Sharp previously explained this diet comes with several drawbacks and possible long-term health effects you shouldn’t ignore. “It basically goes against all the good science we have on the most beneficial dietary patterns for good health.”
Consuming a diet full of meat and animal products will increase your daily intake of protein, which is also “incredibly satiating,” according to Sharp. In turn, this can help you feel full for longer throughout your day, meaning you may eat less and see weight loss. Removing fermentable carbohydrates like FODMAPs can also reduce your bloating and digestive comfort.
But Sharp emphasized the drawbacks of a carnivore diet, indicating for instance that cutting out fibre from your diet essentially starves your gut bacteria. “Long-term, this can increase the risk of severe dysbiosis, wiping out the good gut bacteria.”
Celebrities like Joe Rogan, Emma Slater and Heidi Montag have previously touted the supposed benefits of adopting a carnivore diet. (Photos via Getty Images)
Additionally, a carnivore diet could lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin C, antioxidants and plant-based polyphenols. Moreover, having a diet high in saturated fat and low in fibre and other nutrients is a “recipe to increase your risk of heart disease,” Sharp noted.
Long term, it’s best to not overlook the possible health implications. Staying on a carnivore diet for long period of time may lead to an increased risk of gut health disturbances. “When we disrupt the delicate balance of our gut microbiome, this has a trickle-down effect to interfere with the health of every other bodily process,” Sharp said.
Instead of taking on extreme dietary measures like the carnivore diet, it’s best to work with a dietitian to identify specific triggers causing symptoms. For Sharp, the carnivore diet isn’t something people should be practicing: “This is a bottom-of-the-list diet that I wouldn’t recommend. It’s up there as an ‘absolute no’ in almost every case.”
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