A woman who has been following a diet of only meat, eggs, and butter for the past four years has shared the surprising effects it has had on her body.
We’re all familiar with the standard dietary advice promoting a balanced, varied diet with moderation, often represented in food pyramids.
But what happens if you eliminate entire food groups?
That’s exactly what Rachel Ashby, a mother, chose to do when she adopted the controversial carnivore diet, a decision she claims completely transformed her life.
The 41-year-old mother of four shared that after years of struggling to lose weight, she stumbled upon a video by Dr. Shawn Baker, who advocates that a carnivore diet can “reverse” chronic conditions, autoimmune disorders, and mental health issues. Intrigued by his claims, Rachel decided to give it a try, and hasn’t looked back since.
Rachel revealed that her daily intake consists of around 5,000 calories, all from meat, eggs, and butter. Her day starts with a breakfast of 10 eggs, a chunk of butter, and some salt. For lunch, she enjoys chicken wings, followed by two or three rib-eye steaks for dinner.
“I literally eat fat for taste. When the fat stops tasting good, that’s when I stop eating it, because that’s when my body’s had enough,” she explained about her unique eating habits.
She also mentioned that three of her four children occasionally follow the carnivore diet. “They just kind of decide on their own when to do it, and other times they choose not to. But they always say their health improves when they stick to it.”
Despite Rachel’s claims that eliminating plant-based foods has significantly improved her health, the NHS and other health organizations do not recommend the carnivore diet.
According to NHS guidelines, a balanced diet for adults should include at least five portions of fruit and vegetables, high-fiber foods like potatoes, rice, or bread, dairy (or dairy alternatives), a source of protein, and unsaturated oils.
Additionally, overconsuming red meat has been linked to a higher risk of developing bowel cancer, with Cancer Research UK advising people to limit their intake to about 70g per day.
However, Rachel maintains that she has only experienced positive effects from the carnivore diet, claiming she has lost around four stone and built muscle mass since making the switch.
The mum has also incorporated beef tallow into her beauty routine and shares her lifestyle on TikTok, partly to “annoy the vegans.”
“I never have to go hungry or feel like I need to starve myself,” she said. “I can just eat until I’m full and satisfied, whereas before, I would ignore my body’s hunger cues.”
