I’d like to try an all meat diet, eating nothing but the flesh of humanely raised and slaughtered animals. I have an inclination we’ve been fed a boatload of lies about what we need to survive. Vegetables? Psfffttt.
What would happen if we ditched our fruit and veggies? Would we become unhealthy? What sort of risk would we encounter if we gave this experiment a try? It’s already been done numerous times throughout the course of history, some more recently than you’d expect.
A study was conducted over 40 years ago in Point Hope, Alaska. Due partially to the isolated location, the friendly folks were still crushing mainly meat on the regular. They essentially consumed fat animals. Skinny creatures ain’t making through those winters. Can you imagine the residents’ heart issues? C’mon, y’all know me better than that. From diagnosisdiet.com:
Researchers found that the incidence of heart disease among Point Hope residents was ten times lower than in the general Caucasian population of the United States. Not only that—their triglyceride levels (levels of fat in the bloodstream) averaged 85 mg/dL, whereas the average U.S. triglyceride levels at that time averaged over 100 mg/dL.
It Seems the people of Point Hope (how cool is that name?) boast strong hearts. So obviously they’re eating Cheerios.
Duh. Okay, probably no breakfast cereal, but surely Alaska has access to a plethora of veggies and fruit, right? Nope.
The Point Hope inhabitants represent one of the few remnants of the Eskimo whale, sea, and walrus hunting cultures in the world…Average total daily caloric intake was approximately 3,000 kcal [calories] per person, ranging from 2,300 to 4,500 kcal. Approximately 50% of the calories were derived from fat and 30 to 35% from protein. Carbohydrate accounted for only 15 to 20% of their calories, largely in the form of glycogen [animal starch] from the meat they consumed. Grain products were scarce and although sucrose was not unknown, the average adult ingested less than 3 g/day, primarily for sweetening tea or coffee.
Ahhhh, the sweetener in the coffee is the lifesaver. I hate when my plans are foiled by minutia.
There are even more extreme examples to point to. I found a fascinating one. From inhumanexperiment.blogspot.com:
Dr. Vilhjalmur Stefansson – a Canadian ethnologist spent more than a decade with the Inuit during his arctic explorations in the beginning of the previous century. For nine of these years, he lived almost exclusively on fish and meat
He, and the Inuit tribe he lived with, thrived for long periods on a diet consisting solely of red meat. Veggies, fruit and supplements were nowhere to be found. This menu contained fatty flesh.
Thus, fat played an important part in their diets. According to the authors, Andersen usually ate beef, while Stefansson often chose lamb. Both men ate about 800 grams of meat per day in 3-4 meals. The protein contents ranged from 100 to 140 grams, the fat from 200 to 300 grams, and carbohydrates from 7 to 12 grams. In calories, the percentages were 15-25% protein, 75-85% fat, and 1-2% carbohydrate.
This makes me think about my all Grape Nuts diet in 1992. I ate nothing but insanely large bowls of cereal covered in honey and passed all my classes that semester. Surely that suffices, right? For an experiment to have any value to you, you’ll need substantial data. The meat grubbers did a better job of tracking than my 16 year old self.
The following medical facts regarding Stefansson’s life during his explorations are listed:
- He spent altogether eleven and one-half years within the Arctic Circle.
- He lived for a number of days, totaling nine years, on an exclusive meat diet.
- He lived for nine successive months on an exclusive meat diet.
- He reached his maximum weight while subsisting on meat (fish).
- His sense of physical and mental well being was at its best during that period of his life.
- He found that the exclusive meat diet worked as well when he was inactive as when active, and as well in hot weather as in cold.
- Constipation was never present.
- One month’s entire absence from exercise produced neither constipation nor muscular weakness. (Stefansson avers that not a single case of constipation was observed in 600 exclusively meat-eating Eskimos for a period of three years).
- His hair thickened, and his scalp became healthier.
- Tooth decay was apparently much less rapid.
Of course, Vilhjalmur Stefansson has plenty of critics. These sorts of studies, the type limited to 2 people with no control group, are difficult to generalize to a larger population. It’s also obvious that the Eskimos and Inuit were eating a far different diet than chowing down on a pack of hot dogs from the local grocery store. Still, our ideas about what the definition of a healthy diet is deserve examination and questioning.
I just checked; airfare to Antarctica these days is a bargain. I know the best little igloo. Yelp reviews are off the charts. Grab your faux fur coat, I’ll see you there.
Kap
Ed H says
Is part two going to expand on this to the all bacon diet? Could you live without your precious radishes? 🙂
Gabe Kapler says
I could put my radishes on hold in favor of a side of caribou ribs.
Richie says
This is one of my favorite posts since I joined up! I base my diet on a mostly meat / chicken / fish / egg diet and I feel better when I stay true to it. I read in to the blood type diet a few years back and I am Type O blood which is the perfect blood for this meat type diet, due to our high stomach acid enables the meat to be digested easily. Look in to it, if you have not done so. Still thinking about your post yesterday & hope your moving forward with your loss!
Gabe Kapler says
Thank you, Richie.
billstraehl says
Interesting. Feel like my brain is flooding with questions. Expect they lead a pretty active lifestyle. I guess the cold weather would keep their metabolism up. Seems like they would need some fiber, plus the many nutrients that seemingly would be absent. The human body is nothing if not adaptable. I know there are theories that feel different folks are designed for different appetites. I know I’m more of a lion than a gazelle (probably more of an elephant than a gazelle too though!). Too bad we don’t come with an owner’s manual! Healthy, happy…all the rest is just details.
Richie Ernst says
Bill, I am a firm believer in adapting your diet to fit your own needs and metabolism. What works for one person, may not necessarily work for you. I have adapted some of Kap’s principals on alcohol consumption, devouring bacon, stuffing my mouth with spinach leaves, and refraining from gluten / grain products as often as possible.
billstraehl says
Thanks Richie. This has got me thinking on a whole different plane. If it works, years from now when the World has embraced an entirely new philosophy of eating, they will point back to Kap’s blog, where it all started…
Gabe Kapler says
Glad you two are interacting on this topic, men. Keep getting after it.
Richie Ernst says
When I first read about the Blood Type Diet, I thought someone was playing a trick on me..lol! Everything it states about Type O blood is me to a T! Anal personality, thrive on exercise & physical activity, gluten sensitivity, issues with dairy, shellfish, octopus, and citrus. Type O blood is the oldest blood line that goes back to the Paleo / cave man days. Thankfully, I enjoy meat, chicken, & fish or I would go crazy!
billstraehl says
Richie, my best friends are vegans. I was trying very hard to follow their inspiring example, and had come up for a visit. Had many questions, but was given that book to read. I’m type O also, but only sensitive about green smoothies! Just not cut our for cutting out the meat!
Richie Ernst says
My neither! Meat, fish, eggs, rice, sweet potatoes, some veggies, fruit, and occasionally bread or pasta and I am set. Wash it down with water, seltzer, tea, maybe Gatorade, and the rare and occasional soda. Certain beers irritate my gut, and went Kap Style last Saturday night with Johnny Walker Black at a wedding.
BeesMakeHoney says
After years of self experimentation (30 years apprx.) my personal results point to the importance of eliminateing process foods as being the key to functioning most optionally both physical and mentally.
Varying macros has played a lesser role, but I did experience mental and physical beneifts from tweaking those as well.
Of course, I am also aging. I have no basis to evaluate how that might have come into play. When I was focused on weight loss, the higher protein diet worked best. Once accomplished, and as the years went on, have have become a devoted fan of more veggies w/less meat.
I still avoid processed/fast food because I have come to prefer and enjoy the alternative.
I think all methods have their place – depending on the person.
Gabe Kapler says
Really appreciate this comment, BMH. Hope you come back again.
Duane says
This is an excellent post as always. Different food consumption for different climates and regions. Over time the human body will adapt to what is available to consume for survival. We have so many options at this time why limit myself to one sustenance. Just my thoughts! Have a good one KLS family.
Gabe Kapler says
Strong, Duane.
kbeyazdancer says
When is our flight? I’ve got my coat packed. LOL
Curious Kap-have you read any of the studies concerning temperature and sleeping?
-Kelebek
Gabe Kapler says
I have. Great topic. Thanks for the suggestion.
kbeyazdancer says
I am very curious as to your thoughts on the subject 🙂
Gavin says
Gave, appreciate the creative thinking. You have consistently shown independent, rational, thought. But in this instance, I wondered if you compared the overall tone of today’s post with the exceptional piece from just yesterday. Consumption choices are very personal issues. I only point out your stances, which are widely common in our society, because you do not dodge thoughtful matters due to their difficulty. I’m totally with you on the appeal of the wilderness though.
Gabe Kapler says
Thanks, Gavin. I’ll take some time to absorb today’s comment from you. Really appreciate the push.
Ed H says
One highly probable reason for this diet being successful is we have to choices for our nutrition: either eat the veggie; or eat the animal that ate the veggie. Of course it’s a little more complicated but no one should underestimate the value of consuming animals that ate healthy diets…
Gabe Kapler says
I subscribe to this very general theory.
#BeatUTEP (@HutchBeav) says
I know this post isn’t about this but it made me think about this:
I’ve always wondered what it would be like to live totally off the grid and with only what mother nature provided you. Don’t think my family would dig that though. Enjoyed this post as per normal.
Oh, and how bout those Royals!
Gabe Kapler says
Watching them as we speak.
Steve says
Another day, another thought provoking post.
Pretty cool how different cultural groups live their daily lives. If I was an Eskimo, some fatty whale for breakfast, lunch, and dinner would sound great. But as an athlete looking to get the best performance on the field and in the gym…..I’ll stick with my current diet of lean meats, eggs, and carbs only from brown rice, sweet potatoe, oats, quinoa, veggies, and fruits. Never felt better in my life. I recommend this to all looking for strength gains and those who want to be at their best everyday!!!!
“Eat clean, train dirty.”
#ThoughtsBecomeThings
#MassUp
Ed H says
My two cents: If you eat healthy meat and are an athlete, the leanness of the meat should not matter. The fat from a healthy animal is healthy and provides solid energy.
Steve says
Thanks for the reply, Ed. The leanness of the meat is important though, especially for trying to reduce body fat% and building the body of Kap. For example, I can choose between 93% lean or 97% lean ground turkey. There is still 3% fat which is no doubt useful. I am still getting fats from a ‘lean’ cut of beef as well as a ‘lean’ cut chicken breast. While cooking the meats I use avocado oil which gives me all the fat I need and then some.
Ed H says
Personally, I don’t worry about fats, other than the quality. I choose avocado oil too. My biggest focus is eliminating unnecessary sugars and unknowns lurking in food (aka many to most processed foods). Your awareness of your food is a quality you should strive to keep throughout your lifetime…. It’ll serve you well.
Gabe Kapler says
I feel the passion in your comment, Steve….and I dig it.
Eugene says
The reference to beef and lamb make it a little different than I figured. I assumed they ate only local indigenous, wild animals. Farmed animals, in any type would not have a truly natural diet because the people are providing their sustenance. If they ate fish, whales, seals, and polar bears I would think the all protein diet would be healthier.
Gabe Kapler says
Appreciate the thoughts, Eugene.
M.squared says
Your thoughts today come on the heels of my team taking in an all you can eat Brazillian steakhouse last night.
A co-worker sent out a note today comparing one viewing our consumption to:
“gorging like lions on zebras in the Serengeti”… ……which was pretty accurate.
No flesh was spared as i cautioned my guys on “falling for the fillers” (rice, soup, salad) that are laid out prior to the parade of meats that is brought to your seat thereafter.
All up, we did work, myself taking things to the extreme after missing lunch.
I went home feeling guilty, but after reading about the Eskimo folk today, I’m now off to shop for a parka……
Read you mañana.
Gabe Kapler says
Dig that, brother.
Kyle G. says
This was by far one of the most interesting things I’ve read. Mainly due to my love of meat…