Inspired by the majestic lion and its focused diet, the Lion Diet is a dietary approach that strips away the superfluous and hones in on the essential. It is a diet rooted in the understanding that less can be more, that purity can trump complexity, and that by feeding our bodies the right kind of fuel, we can unlock levels of health and wellness we might have thought were unattainable. The Lion Diet is a strict subset of the Carnivore Diet, focusing on ruminant meats like beef, lamb, and goat. This very low-carb diet (VLCD) pushes your body into ketosis, healing inflammation, and boosting weight loss.
Introduction to the Lion Diet
Modern society is overwhelmed with dietary choices. Supermarkets' aisles are teeming with products labeled 'low-fat', 'gluten-free', 'keto-friendly', and a myriad of other tags that promise health and wellness. However, the paradox of our times is that while our choices have expanded, our health seems to be on a steady decline. Chronic diseases are on the rise, mental health issues are rampant, and despite the wealth of information at our fingertips, many of us are more confused than ever about what we should be eating.
Enter the Lion Diet-a dietary approach that strips away the superfluous and hones in on the essential. It is a diet rooted in the understanding that less can be more, that purity can trump complexity, and that by feeding our bodies the right kind of fuel, we can unlock levels of health and wellness we might have thought were unattainable.
What is the Lion Diet?
A Lion diet is a subset of the Carnivore diet, mainly consisting of ruminant meats, salt, and water.
Lion Diet Principals
Here are the principles of the Lion Diet:
Read also: Diet of Mountain Lions
- Focus on meat: The Lion Diet emphasizes the consumption of different kinds of meat. These foods are high in protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients like vitamins B12 and D.
- Eliminate plant-based foods: The Lion Diet eliminates all plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts. The rationale behind this is that humans are not well adapted to digesting and absorbing the nutrients from plant-based foods.
- Avoid processed foods: The Lion Diet emphasizes the consumption of whole, unprocessed animal products. Processed meats, like hot dogs and bacon, are not recommended on the Lion Diet.
- Include organ meats: Organ meats like liver and kidney are nutrient-dense and are included in the Lion Diet. These foods are high in vitamins and minerals that are not found in muscle meat.
- Hydrate with water: Water is the recommended beverage on the Lion Diet.
Dr. states, "The Lion Diet is the ultimate elimination diet, consisting solely of ruminant meat, salt, and water."
What Is Ruminant Meat?
Ruminant meat refers to the meat obtained from domesticated ruminants, such as cows, sheep, goats, and buffalo, which are known for their unique digestive system. Unlike other animals, ruminants have a four-chambered stomach that allows them to ferment and break down tough plant matter, making it a rich source of protein. This unique digestive process also contributes to the unique flavor and tenderness of the meat. Choosing high-quality, grass-fed, and organic options is recommended for optimal health benefits.
Lion Diet vs. Carnivore Diet
The Lion diet is a strict elimination protocol. This means it is similar to the Carnivore diet in that both are Very Low Carb Diets (VLCDs). The Carnivore diet meal plan allows for more foods than the Lion, including full-fat dairy products like butter and ghee, eggs, and meats from chicken and pork.
What Is a Very Low-Carb Diet (VLCD)?
A very low-carb diet (VLCD) is a diet that restricts carbohydrate intake to typically below 30 grams per day, with no restrictions on calories. Generally speaking, a VLCD works because it forces your body into ketosis-a state where you burn fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. The goal is to force your body out of its usual reliance on carbs as its primary fuel source by drastically cutting back the number of carbs in your food; this forces your cells to use stored body fat for energy instead.
Lion Diet Food List
Here is the food list for the Lion Diet; it’s exclusively ruminant meats. You can eat these foods freely without restrictions or limits on your daily calorie intake.
Read also: Weight Loss with Alpha Lion
Foods To Eat
Here is a list of foods that are typically allowed on the Lion Diet:
- Meat: Beef, lamb, goat
- Organ Meats: Liver, kidney, heart, and other organ meats
Foods To Avoid
- Seafood: Mussels, Oysters, Shrimp, Salmon, Mackeral
- Poultry: Chicken, Turkey, Duck Emu, Goose
- Eggs: Yolks and Egg whites from any animal
- Dairy: Cream, Yoghurt, Milk, Butter, Ghee
- Pork: Bacon, Pork Belly, Pork Ribs
- Fruits: All fruits, including berries, apples, and bananas
- Vegetables: All vegetables, including leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower
- Grains: All grains, including wheat, rice, and oats
- Legumes: All legumes, including beans and lentils
- Nuts and seeds: All nuts and seeds, including almonds, cashews, and chia seeds
- Processed foods: All processed foods, including bread, pasta, and snack foods
Lion Diet Benefits
- Weight loss
- Positive effects on skin
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved rheumatoid arthritis
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Eliminate plant toxins, including oxalates
- Improved gut microbiome and digestive health
Eating More Beef Can Benefit You!
If you're considering eating more beef, it's easy to see why: beef is a good source of protein and contains many other important nutrients for your health.
- Protein: Beef provides complete protein (all eight essential amino acids) that can help build muscle mass and support normal growth in children, teens, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Iron: Iron helps carry oxygen throughout the body. A deficiency can lead to fatigue and weakness; having too much iron may increase the risk of certain cancers, such as colon cancer.
How to Start the Lion Diet
Here are some tips and various meal plans to get you started:
- Eat more beef. Grass-fed and grain-fed, the type of feed doesn't matter all that much (unless you're concerned about sustainability or ethics). What does matter is that you eat more red meat. Steak is great for this, but I recommend fatty cuts like short ribs and brisket.
- Choose the right kind of steak, rib eyes and porterhouse are excellent options and typically have a 1:1 protein ratio.
1 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan
This is an easy starting point with a 1 Day Lion Diet plan to see if you like it.
- Breakfast: 80/20 ground beef
- Lunch: Boneless short ribs
- Dinner: Veal cutlets
7 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan
If you want to take it to the next level, try our this Lion Diet menu, with 2 meals a day, with minimal cooking. Cooking in bulk provides plenty of leftovers to enjoy the rest of the week.
Read also: An In-Depth Look at Tamarin Feeding
30-Day Lion Diet Meal Plan
This 30-day meal plan is designed for those who want to commit to 30 days or even 60 days. This Lion Diet menu is simple and flexible. Feel free to move the meals around to suit your lifestyle.
You can shed many lbs thanks to experts and fellow Carnivores supporting you with success stories, private sessions, workshops, coaching and planning.
The Best Healthy Snacks on the Lion Diet
If you’re looking for healthy snacks during the 30 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan, turn to any of the following:
- Grilled roast beef slices
- Lamb or beef sliders
- Meatballs
- Steak strips
- Veal strips
- Ground beef, veal, or lamb (about 2 oz)
How to Eat a Lion Diet at Restaurants?
At most restaurants, you can find a list of suitable foods for a Lion Diet on the menu. If this isn’t the case, don’t worry! It is easy to ask the waiter or chef if they can prepare something special for you. To have it cook quickly without adding unnecessary ingredients, focus on grilled or roasted ruminant meats. Avoid sauces and dressings (even those labeled "healthy") because they usually contain hidden sugars that will ruin your Lion Diet efforts.
Lion Diet Shopping List
On the Lion Diet, you’ll eat a lot of red meat - beef and lamb. You can use all beef, goat, and lamb cuts for the main dishes in the meal plan. In addition to this, you must also eat mutton (sheep). Ensure you choose the fatty cuts of meat.
Supplements to Consider on a Lion Diet
The only supplement you may want to consider is some good-quality salt. I like Redmond’s Real salt, and you can get 10% off here or use code 5MB.
Lion Diet Recipes
Fried Jerky with Fat
This recipe is a personal favorite and a great way to utilize leftover bones from cooked chicken or other meats.
- It’s actually fried jerky with fat (trust me it’s amazing), but better than bacon.
- My mom came up with this, its great. This lasts two adults about two days.
- 2019 UPDATE: Here’s a YouTube video showing how to make jerky Lion Diet style. I eat these all the time. Daily. They’re so good for you, they’re so yummy, and they don’t bother me at all.
- I eat these all the time. Like once a day because they’re awesome and easy.
- Once you’re done eating your chicken wings, or baked chicken, or whatever that has bones, follow these steps:
Other Recipe Ideas
- Sous vide beef brisket
- Veal cutlets
- Homemade lamb sausages
- Beef air fryer meatballs
- Lamb roast
- Rib Eye
Long-Term Safety and Effectiveness
From an evolutionary perspective, we survived predominantly on an animal-based diet. The growth of big agriculture and pharma has destroyed our physical and mental health. The choice is your long-term; eat for health!
Is Eating Beef Only Effective For Weight Loss?
The Lion Diet is not a miracle cure for weight loss. It's an eating plan that can help you heal inflammation, but it doesn't work overnight. This way of eating is designed to help you become healthier overall, eliminating toxins and anti-nutrients; it will allow your body to recover from decades of external poisons.
What Do The Experts Say about the Lion Diet?
Our Carnivore experts agree, like Dr. Robert Kiltz and Dr. Anthony Chaffee, if you can't get results on a Carnivore Diet, then trying a Lion Diet for just 30 days can make a world of difference in your healing and weight loss results.
The Lion Diet for Autoimmunity and Chronic Illness
The lion diet is highly recommended especially for those dealing with autoimmunity and deeper chronic illnesses. Autoimmune diseases often involve an overactive immune response against the body’s own tissues, and dietary triggers can exacerbate these reactions. Eliminating potential allergens and irritants can help reduce inflammation and autoimmune flare-ups.
One of the main reasons individuals might choose the lion diet is its simplicity. In today’s world, people are bombarded with a plethora of food options, many of which contain hidden allergens and irritants. The lion diet strips down these complexities, offering a straightforward and predictable approach to eating.
Sourcing Meat and Histamine Intolerance
When following the lion diet, sourcing meat becomes a critical consideration, especially for those with severe food sensitivities or chronic health issues. Grass-finished meats are richer in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and certain vitamins such as vitamin E compared to their grain-finished counterparts. However, some people may eventually tolerate grain-finished ruminant meats as they heal and their digestive systems become less sensitive.
Histamine intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) both involve the body’s inability to properly regulate histamine levels, resulting in a range of symptoms such as headaches, hives, digestive issues, and cardiovascular problems. Individuals with histamine intolerance or MCAS sometimes need to source unaged meats from specialty farms to avoid exacerbating their symptoms. Aged meats, commonly found in grocery stores, can accumulate high levels of histamines during the aging process, which typically ranges from a few days to several weeks.
Sample Lion Diet Meal Plans
Week One (80/20 Fat-to-Protein Ratio)
Starting week one of the lion diet meal plan, individuals commonly eat between one to three meals daily. Since most people eat two meals daily with this way of eating, this plan features two meals per day, each consisting of one serving. An 80/20 fat-to-protein ratio is a common starting point for women on this diet.
Here’s a seven-day lion diet meal plan that only consists of ruminant meat and high-quality salt with an 80/20 fat-to-protein macro ratio. This plan ensures a variety of ruminant meats while maintaining an 80/20 fat-to-protein ratio for someone who eats about one pound of meat a day.
Week Two (70/30 Fat-to-Protein Ratio)
Week two of the lion diet meal plan will also feature two meals per day but with a different macro ratio of 70/30, which is a general starting point for men. Here’s a seven-day lion diet meal plan featuring ruminant meat and high-quality salt, with a 70/30 fat-to-protein macro ratio. This plan maintains the 70/30 fat-to-protein ratio ensuring a variety of ruminant meats, and is ideal for someone who eats about 16-18 oz of meat per day.
Determining the Right Macros
Determining the right macros for the lion diet involves balancing your fat and protein intake to meet your specific needs. Standard dietary guidelines recommend a minimum of 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight, but this is often insufficient for those on low-carb or carnivore diets. For the lion diet, a higher protein intake is crucial.
In addition to protein, fat plays a significant role in the lion diet. Fat provides nine calories per gram, compared to four calories per gram for protein and carbs. This higher caloric density helps meet energy needs without excessive calorie restriction, which can lead to metabolic slowdown and hormonal imbalances.