Deciding on the best diet can be a daunting task given the vast array of information available. You may have come across the carnivore or animal based diet, the pegan diet, or the vegan blueprint protocol, all promising distinct health advantages. The question is, what on earth should I eat?
Every one of these diets are forms of elimination diets aiming to eliminate certeain foods, in order to reduce toxic loads, food triggering symptoms and hence improve your health and well being. But which what is right for you??
The carnivore diet is as simple as it gets: only eat animal products and avoid plants. It’s a diet that has become more popular recently, largely due to advocates like Dr. Paul Saladino. Paul has recently also started adding fruits, honey and raw dairy and changed the name to “Animal Based Diet”. He did this as he noticed that he needed some additional nutrients. Supporters claim that it can lead to weight loss, increased energy levels, and relief from a variety of chronic health problems like autoimmune conditions and gut issues.
On the opposite outer scal you have longevity expert Bryan Johnson’s vegan blueprint protocol, which is a radical longevity protocol with a pure plant based diet. This protocol is designed to give the body all the nutrients it needs to thrive for maximum life-span.
Somwhere in the middle, we find the pegan diet, a term created by Dr. Mark Hyman. It combines the paleo diet’s emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods with the vegan diet’s avoidance of animal products. The pegan diet promotes eating low-glycemic fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and a moderate amount of responsibly sourced meats and fish.
Let’s dig a little deeper into each of these diets to help you figure out which one might work best for you.
* Screenshot from PaulSaladinoMD.com.
The animal-based approach is an elimination diet that posits that we can achieve optimal health by eating mainly meat, but also fruits, honey and some raw dairy. Those who endorse this diet argue that the chronic diseases plaguing our society are largely due to the consumption of plant-based foods and their anti-nutrients and defense chemicals (the ones contracting researchers point to are beneficial… hmm?).
There are several advantages to following this diet:
However, the carnivore diet also has its drawbacks:
In conclusion, many are seeing significant symptom reduction and wellbeing with this diet, but it is really a long-term balanced and sustainable alternative for you?
* Screenshot from https://protocol.bryanjohnson.com/
“All foods are plant based” – Bryan Johnson
The vegan blueprint protocol is a structured approach to veganism that is primarily focused on longevity and optimizing the life-span of a human being by only adding what the body needs.
The vegan blueprint protocol is simple: no animal products, and an emphasis on whole, unprocessed plant foods. This includes vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. It’s a diet that’s high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but it requires careful planning to ensure you’re getting enough protein and certain nutrients like B12, which are naturally found in animal products.
Switching to a vegan diet has supposedly several health benefits:
If done properly, veganism can be a long-term diet, but will for many feel overly restrictive. However, it requires a commitment to meal planning and ensuring a balanced intake of all necessary nutrients. Supplementation of nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids should also be considered.
* Screenshot from https://drhyman.com/pages/about-dr-hyman
Dr. Mark Hyman’s is one of the leading Functional Medicine and longevity experts and is even endorsed by president candidate Robert F. Kennedy. He invented the Pegan Diet can seem like a middle ground trying to strike a balance between the two aiming to incorporate the most beneficial aspects of both the paleo and vegan diets. It’s intended to decrease inflammation, aid in blood sugar regulation, and enhance overall health.
Here are a few of the key advantages he highlights:
In conclusion, ALL the diets outlined above are forms of elimination diets. They all focus on food quality and all eliminate processed foods, but they are also contradiciting.
This is important as this can help you to determine if you should create a framework closer to one side or the other and then add and eliminate to find YOUR optimal equilibrium.
Now, let’s directly compare these diets to see how they measure up against each other.
Each diet has its own unique nutritional content. For a deeper understanding of these differences, you can explore the benefits and downsides of the Pegan diet.
While the carnivore diet may seem simple in terms of accessibility, sourcing high-quality meats can be both expensive and difficult for some. The pegan diet, while nutritionally balanced, requires access to a wide variety of foods and can also be on the pricey side. The vegan diet is generally more accessible, as plant-based foods are usually more affordable, but it can be a challenge to find options when eating out or traveling.
In the end, the optimal diet for you is one that aligns with your moral values, health requirements, and way of life. It’s about finding a balance that feels right and supports your body’s unique needs. And most importantly, it’s about tuning into your body and making modifications as necessary.
Deciding on the best diet is a personal journey and should be based on what makes you feel your best while also aligning with your personal beliefs. It’s not just about following the latest fad or what worked for your friend; it’s about finding out what works best for you. Whether you’re attracted to the simplicity of a animal-based carnivore diet, the balanced approach of the pegan diet, or the ethical and health reasons behind the vegan blueprint, your choice should support your overall health and well-being.
When selecting a diet, think about your typical day, how active you are, and what you want to achieve health-wise. If you’re very active, you might need a diet that’s higher in protein and calories, making the carnivore or pegan diets a possible fit. If you’re a big believer in animal rights or want to help the environment, you might be drawn to the vegan blueprint. Don’t forget to take into account any food allergies or sensitivities you have, as they can greatly affect what you can and can’t eat.
Adapting to a new diet is a journey, and it’s crucial to take it step by step. Begin by gradually introducing aspects of the diet into your existing eating habits before fully committing. This might mean increasing your vegetable intake and incorporating more plant-based meals for the pegan or vegan diet, or gradually cutting down on carbs for the carnivore diet. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself; it’s perfectly normal for changes to take a while.
When you switch to a new diet, it’s important to watch how your body reacts. You may see signs of better health, like more energy, better digestion, and a more stable mood. On the other hand, if you feel tired, have digestive problems, or other bad effects, the diet may not be a good fit for you. Always talk to a healthcare provider before you make big changes to your diet. This is especially important if you have health problems already.
These are some questions that often come up when people are thinking about these diets:
Yes, it’s completely feasible to get the required amount of protein on a vegan diet. Sources of plant-based protein include legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, and whole grains. It might necessitate more planning to ensure you’re getting a complete amino acid profile, but if you eat a variety of foods, you can meet your protein needs.
Some people worry that the carnivore diet’s high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol could raise your risk of heart disease. However, supporters of the diet argue that getting rid of processed foods and carbohydrates can actually improve heart health indicators. If you decide to follow this diet, you should keep a close eye on your health with regular doctor’s visits and blood tests.
The pegan diet cuts out many typical allergens and inflammatory foods, such as dairy, gluten, and processed sugars. This could be helpful for people with food sensitivities or intolerances. However, because it also restricts grains and legumes, people with sensitivities to other foods might find it easier to avoid triggers on this diet.
Definitely. There is no one-size-fits-all diet, and you may discover that a combination of different diets suits you best. For example, you might choose to eat mostly plant-based foods with the occasional sustainably sourced meat, which is similar to the pegan diet. The most important thing is to find a balance that makes you feel good and that you can maintain over the long term.