I lost 4st with a 5,000 calorie diet but was shocked when a nurse told me she ‘hopes I die of cancer’ as a result
A WOMAN who lost four stone through a whopping 5,000 calorie per-day diet was shocked to be told by a nurse she “hopes she dies of cancer”.
Rachel Ashby, 40, was at her heaviest five years ago, weighing in at 13.5 stone and wearing dress size 18.
During this time she suffered from bloating, brain fog, joint pain, dandruff, constant breakouts that left her unable to leave the house without makeup, and dry skin despite consuming what many would consider a healthy diet.
Realising something was wrong she switched to a ketogenic diet, which lasted only six months because despite just eating meat, fat and veg, Rachel was still struggling with the same symptoms she had before.
She saw lots of improvements on the keto diet but still struggled with bloating, brain fog, dry skin, joint pain and excess weight.
In April 2019, Rachel decided to try something new and switched to a fully carnivore diet, which works by eliminating all plant-based foods and solely eating meat, fish, eggs and small amounts of low-lactose dairy foods.
She ate up to four pounds of meat per day and ten eggs in one sitting, with all plant based foods completely eliminated for being “unhealthy” – a lifestyle choice deemed too carnivore-based for extreme online trolls.
Despite consuming 5,000 calories a day – twice the recommended 2,000 calorie diet for a female in the UK – Rachel lost four stone, but was shocked to be told by a vegan nurse she “hopes she dies of cancer” for her meat-eating choice.
The Health Coach and CEO of Tallow Glow from Hertfordshire said: “I stumbled across a doctor called Dr Shawn Baker. He was talking about anti-nutrients in vegetables and the side effects some people have from consuming them.
“He also regularly spoke about studies and data that backed up what he was saying. He would read stories of people that reversed their health issues by cutting out all plant foods and also sometimes jokingly making fun of vegans.
“I thought Dr Baker and all the carnivores were absolutely mad but it had planted a seed.
“I started to notice these side effects after eating vegetables. I had already cut out all sugar, processed food and junk six months before while on the keto diet.
“The more I listened, the more I noticed the negative side effects of all the plants I was consuming like asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli and so on.
“It was the day before my daughter’s birthday in 2019 that I decided to give it a try.
“I actually thought I would disprove the diet as I always thought that vegetables were so important.
“By day three I was convinced this is where good health is at as I felt a massive rush of energy.
“All remaining health issues were resolved/reversed very quickly . I lost 7lb in the first week and another 7lb the following week, I stopped worrying about the scale after that as I was happy with what I saw in the mirror and how I felt every day.
“I was severely depressed with bad anxiety before I changed my diet. It felt like I had become agoraphobic, I would make lots of plans but cancel them all.
I lost 7lb in the first week and another 7lb the following week, I stopped worrying about the scale after that as I was happy with what I saw in the mirror and how I felt every day
Rachel Ashby
“I wouldn’t go anywhere where I could have bumped into somebody. I was ashamed of how I let myself go. I was literally existing, not living.”
Rachel is now in the best shape of her life having lost weight and eliminated all her health issues.
“Now my meals consist of only lamb, beef, chicken, rarely but sometimes pork,” shared Rachel.
“I eat 10 eggs plus butter per sitting.
“I like my red meat pink in the middle which is actually raw but I like it warm with a good sear.”
Once Rachel made the shift her health really started looking up and she didn’t have any side effects from switching her diet.
While the carnivore diet has caused some people to suffer from diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, hydration issues from fluid loss, dizziness, fatigue and insomnia, these are temporary side effects while the body adapts to using a different energy source, said Rachel.
As a health and wellness coach, Rachel insists she is always looking after her body.
She does receive some hate online for telling her carnivore story, mostly from vegans, but most people are just in shock that a diet consisting of just meat, eggs and butter can be healthy when medical professionals often speak only of the dangers of these foods.
Read more on the pros and cons of the carnivore diet below…
Is the high-fat carnivore diet healthy?
Carolina Goncalves, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmica told Fabulous: “The high-fat carnivore diet, similar to the ketogenic diet, involves the consumption of animal-based foods, especially those containing high levels of fat, as well as other high-fat foods such as butter. The potential benefits of this diet include weight loss, reduced inflammation, and mental clarity.
“According to research, a high-fat carnivore diet may help with weight loss due to the reduced carbohydrate intake and the increased satiety from high-fat foods. This is because the body typically switches from using food as its primary energy source to fat when carbohydrates are limited (a process known as ketosis).
“Moreover, fats are more satiating than carbohydrates, meaning they can keep you full for longer. Therefore, eating a high-fat diet can help reduce overall calorie intake by making it less likely for the individual to eat more frequently.
“Regarding inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and other seafood that can feature in a high-fat carnivore diet can potentially help reduce inflammation by incorporating into cell membranes. It is also thought that these omega-3 fatty acids could have anti-inflammatory properties and affect neurotransmitter functions that support serotonin and dopamine levels. This may help with anxiety and depression symptoms, although the research on this is unclear.
“Having said this, the high-fat carnivore diet can adversely affect the body in numerous ways. The exclusion of plant-based foods such as fruit and vegetables can lead to nutrient deficiencies and a lack of vitamins and minerals to support bodily functions. In addition, the high intake of saturated fats can increase LDL cholesterol levels which could result in cardiovascular issues. Finally, the lack of dietary fibre in a high-fat carnivore diet, due to the absence of fibrous plant-based foods, can lead to digestive problems such as constipation.
“Overall, even though there are a few benefits to the high-fat carnivore diet, the lack of key food groups and nutrients can lead to health problems. It is therefore recommended to have a balanced diet to ensure overall bodily health and function.”