🥩 From Carnivore to Animal-Based: Dr. Paul Saladino’s Nutritional Evolution

 

🥩 From Carnivore to Animal-Based: Dr. Paul Saladino’s Nutritional Evolution

In the world of nutritional science and ancestral health, few figures have stirred as much conversation as Dr. Paul Saladino, the once-strict carnivore doctor who has since evolved his dietary philosophy. Originally known for his meat-only dietary stance, Saladino has since made a notable shift—not away from meat, but toward a more flexible, ancestral, and holistic approach: the animal-based diet.

🔥 The Carnivore Foundation

Dr. Saladino began his journey by eliminating all plant foods—embracing a 100% carnivore diet comprised solely of:

Red meat

Organs (liver, heart, kidney)

Fat

Salt and water

His motivation? To heal chronic inflammation, autoimmune symptoms, and optimize nutrient absorption by removing all potential plant toxins like oxalates, lectins, and phytates. And for a time, it worked exceptionally well.

🔄 Why He Transitioned

Despite the benefits, Saladino began noticing limitations—especially as he ramped up physical activity. He reported:

Reduced performance during intense workouts

Subtle hormonal imbalances (like thyroid or adrenal fatigue)

A lack of carbohydrate flexibility

Rather than doubling down, Saladino did what any good scientist would do—he reassessed.

> “I believe in listening to my body and evolving with what the data, my labs, and my experiences tell me.” – Dr. Paul Saladino

🍯 The Rise of the Animal-Based Diet

After extensive research, tribal studies, and self-experimentation, Saladino shifted to what he now calls the Animal-Based Diet—a model that keeps the nutritional power of animal foods front and center, while strategically incorporating select plant foods that are lower in defense chemicals.

His Current Animal-Based Diet Includes:

🧬 80–90% Animal Foods:

Grass-fed beef, lamb, goat

Organs (liver, kidney, heart, testicle)

Egg yolks

Wild-caught fish

Raw dairy (milk, kefir, cheese)

Bone broth & bone marrow

🍌 10–20% Select Plant Foods:

Raw honey (a preferred carb source)

Seasonal fruit (bananas, papaya, mango, berries)

Occasional squash or white rice

Coconut and avocado (in moderation)

❌ What He Still Avoids

Though more inclusive, his diet remains highly intentional. Foods Dr. Saladino continues to avoid completely:

Seed oils (like canola, soybean, sunflower)

Grains (wheat, corn, oats)

Legumes

High-oxalate or lectin-rich vegetables (spinach, kale, almonds)

Processed foods and additives

His reasoning? These substances still carry inflammatory potential and interfere with gut health, hormone balance, and mitochondrial function.

🧠 Evolution, Not Rejection

Dr. Saladino is not rejecting carnivore. He’s refining it. He sees his animal-based model as a more sustainable and holistic evolution—one rooted in biochemistry, ancestral wisdom, and modern performance needs.

“Our ancestors were never strict carnivores. They were opportunistic, intelligent eaters. And when we eat nose-to-tail with the right carbs, we thrive.”

⚡ Final Thoughts

The shift from strict carnivore to animal-based is a powerful reminder: no diet should become dogma. What matters is listening—to your labs, your energy, your sleep, your performance—and adjusting accordingly. For Saladino, the message is clear:

Animal foods are foundational.

Plants can be allies, if chosen wisely.

The best diet is one that evolves with you