I Tried the "Meat and Fruit Only" Diet for a Month—Here’s What Happened to My Digestion

Few eating trends spark quite as much debate as the one that drops vegetables, grains, and beans almost entirely. Its fans swear by it, its critics warn about missing fiber, and most people land somewhere in between, curious but skeptical.

Danni Macfarland, a nutrition writer who shares her work through her newsletter Back to Basics of Nutrition, decided to stop guessing and try it herself. For one month, she and her husband ate an “animal-based” diet, and the way her digestion responded wasn’t quite what the warnings predicted.

Why She Took On the Challenge

Macfarland approached the month as research rather than a personal health fix. She’d heard so much about this way of eating that she wanted firsthand experience in case clients asked her about it.

She had also eaten a mostly plant-based diet in the past, which made the contrast even more interesting. Her husband joined her for the full month, giving her a second set of experiences to compare against her own.

What Was Actually on the Plate

The pair took part in a January challenge that the online carnivore community calls World Carnivore Month. Their version was built around meat, eggs, dairy, and fruit, often described as an animal-based approach rather than a strict meat-only diet.

Meals centered on steaks, ground beef, tuna patties, and other proteins, with fruit adding sweetness and some fiber. To keep things interesting, Macfarland made “chaffles,” a waffle-style bun substitute made from egg and shredded cheese.

The First Week Was a Learning Curve

Their biggest mistake early on was eating too little. Used to pairing a modest steak with plenty of side dishes, they kept serving similar portions and found themselves hungry all the time.

Macfarland felt somewhat tired around days four and five, which she blamed on not eating enough for her energy needs. Once they increased their portions, both of them felt more satisfied after meals.

The Bloating Disappeared

By the second week, Macfarland noticed something she hadn’t expected. She wasn’t feeling bloated, and her pants were fitting a little differently.

That’s a common report from people who cut back on certain fibers and fermentable carbohydrates, which gut bacteria break down and turn into gas. For someone prone to bloating, removing many of those foods at once can make a noticeable difference.

The Fiber Question Got Answered

Many people asked Macfarland the same thing before she started: without vegetables and grains, wouldn’t constipation be a problem? She wondered too, and by week three, she had her answer.

Her fiber intake was well below recommended levels, but it wasn’t zero, since fruit was still on the menu. She also leaned on more butter and beef tallow in her cooking, and she credits the extra fat with helping keep things moving.

Bathroom Habits Changed

Macfarland noticed that her bowel movements weren’t always daily during the month. She explains that there was simply less waste and fiber to eliminate, and she still felt like her body was clearing what it needed to.

That shift is typical of very low-fiber diets, since fiber adds bulk to stool. For some people it feels perfectly comfortable, while others struggle with constipation, which is why the experience can vary a lot from person to person.

Electrolytes Kept the Dreaded Flu Away

Some people starting this kind of diet report feeling flu-like around the second week, often linked to shifts in fluid and electrolytes. Macfarland and her husband didn’t experience that.

She credits taking a generous amount of quality sea salt or electrolytes throughout the month. Staying hydrated and keeping minerals in balance is a simple step that can make a big difference during any major diet change.

Energy and Sleep Improved by the End

By the fourth week, the diet felt routine. Macfarland reported good energy and noticed she was sleeping more deeply, waking up feeling well rested.

Her husband also felt good overall, even if he missed his cereal. He curbed the craving with a snack the community calls “porky puffs,” made from pork rinds, cream, cinnamon, and a little honey.

What Experts Want You to Know

Macfarland herself admits that 30 days isn’t long enough to judge the diet’s true benefits. Most dietitians would agree, especially since there’s very little long-term research on eating patterns this low in plant foods.

Fiber does more than keep you regular. It feeds beneficial gut bacteria and supports heart health, and diets heavy in red meat and saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol in some people, so anyone considering this approach should talk with a doctor, especially if they have existing health conditions.