OMAD Carnivore Diet: A Beginner’s Guide, Benefits, and How-To

The OMAD (One Meal A Day) Carnivore diet is a dietary regimen that combines the principles of eating just one meal a day with a focus on consuming only animal-based foods. In this diet, you’re expected to consume all your daily caloric needs in one sitting, focusing on meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, while completely eliminating plant-based foods. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that a protein-rich diet like the carnivore diet can boost metabolism and aid in weight loss.

One of the main benefits of the OMAD Carnivore diet is that it could lead to rapid fat loss; some individuals report losing up to 10 pounds in the first month. However, the diet has significant drawbacks, including the potential for nutrient deficiencies, particularly in fiber and certain vitamins like Vitamin C, as well as the risk of elevated cholesterol levels due to the high intake of saturated fats.

What Is the Carnivore OMAD diet?

The Carnivore OMAD diet is a nutritional strategy that combines the One Meal A Day (OMAD) approach with the Carnivore diet. In this regimen, you consume all your daily calories in a single meal, focusing solely on animal-based foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. This diet aims to mimic the eating habits of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, both in the types of foods consumed and the frequency of meals.

Functionally, the Carnivore OMAD diet serves to restrict your eating window to just one hour per day, thereby giving your digestive system a prolonged break and encouraging your body to utilize stored fat for energy.

The primary benefit of this diet is rapid weight loss and fat reduction; some users report losing up to 10 pounds within the first month. However, the diet is not without drawbacks. The most significant concern is the risk of nutrient deficiencies, particularly of fiber and essential vitamins like ascorbic acid.

What are the differences between OMAD and Carnivore OMAD?

The primary difference between OMAD and Carnivore OMAD is the type of foods consumed. In a standard OMAD diet, you can eat foods from all food groups, including plants and animal products, during your one-hour eating window. In contrast, Carnivore OMAD restricts you to consuming only animal-based foods like meat and dairy during that same one-hour window.

How does the OMAD carnivore diet work?

The OMAD Carnivore diet works by restricting your food intake to one meal per day, focusing exclusively on animal-based foods. This approach mimics the eating habits of hunter-gatherer ancestors who consumed a diet rich in animal products and fasted between hunts.

The OMAD Carnivore diet aims to align with human physiology by promoting benefits such as reduced inflammation and improved gut health. By eliminating plant-based foods, sugars, and other modern dietary toxins, you reduce potential sources of inflammation and other health issues.

What are the benefits of the OMAD Carnivore diet?

The OMAD Carnivore diet offers a unique blend of benefits by combining the principles of eating one meal a day with a diet focused solely on animal products. This approach is associated with a range of health benefits including reduced inflammation, improved cognitive function, and enhanced gut health.

• Reduced Inflammation: The OMAD Carnivore diet helps reduce inflammation by eliminating most carbohydrates and plant toxins known for promoting inflammation. This diet decreases inflammatory cells and conditions in the body, leading to improvements in cognitive function and gut health.
• Improved Cognition and Neuroprotection: This lifestyle enhances brain health by supplying essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins found in animal products. It also reduces inflammation, a key driver in cognitive decline, providing neuroprotective benefits.
• Gut Health: The OMAD Carnivore diet supports a healthy gut microbiome by emphasizing nutrient-dense meats and eliminating plant toxins and carbohydrates. The extended fasting periods inherent to the OMAD approach further facilitate gut rest and repair, contributing to improved digestion and gut health.

What are the health risks of the OMAD Carnivore Diet?

The OMAD Carnivore diet, while offering various health benefits, also comes with potential risks that include nutrient deficiencies, increased cholesterol levels, and the exacerbation of eating disorders. These risks are due to the restrictive nature of the diet and the absence of certain food groups.

1. Nutrient Deficiencies: Exclusively eating animal products can lead to deficiencies in nutrients commonly found in plant foods, such as fiber, Vitamin C, and certain antioxidants. These deficiencies can result in digestive issues and a weakened immune system over time.
2. Increased Cholesterol Levels: A diet high in animal fats has the potential to raise LDL cholesterol levels, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke.
3. Liver Stress: The diet’s high protein content may place additional stress on the liver, which has to work harder to metabolize the large amounts of protein consumed.
4. Social and Lifestyle Challenges: The restrictive nature of this diet can make social occasions centered around food more difficult and may require significant lifestyle adjustments to maintain.
5. Binge Eating: The stringent one-meal-a-day aspect of the diet could exacerbate tendencies toward disordered eating behaviors, such as binge eating during the one-hour eating window and excessive calorie restriction.

Does a one-meal-a-day diet qualify as disordered eating?

No, eating one meal a day is not universally classified as disordered eating, according to a 2022 study by Emma C E Meessen from the University of Amsterdam and the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. The study found that a single meal per day lowered total body mass by 1.4 kg and fat mass by 0.7, compared to a 0.5 kg and 0.1 kg reduction in the three-meal-a-day group.

This approach also increased exercise fatty acid oxidation without affecting aerobic capacity or strength, suggesting no link between OMAD and eating disorders, but rather metabolic adaptation.

How to do the OMAD Carnivore diet?

To successfully follow the OMAD Carnivore diet, you’ll need to consume all of your daily calories from animal-based products within a single one-hour eating window each day.

1. Set Your Eating Window: Decide on a one-hour eating window that works best for you, such as 6-7 PM.
2. Plan Your Meal: Prioritize animal-based foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Make sure to include a variety of animal products to get all essential nutrients.
3. Calculate Your Macros: Use a macro calculator to determine the number of calories, and the amounts of protein, fats, and minimal carbs you need.
4. Prep in Advance: Prepare your animal-based foods beforehand to ensure you have everything ready for your one-hour eating window.
5. Fast for 23 Hours: Outside of your one-hour eating window, abstain from consuming any calories. You can still drink water, black coffee, or unsweetened tea.
6. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, especially since you’ll be fasting for 23 hours.
7. Break Your Fast: When your eating window arrives, break your fast with your pre-planned carnivore meal. Eat slowly and stop when you’re full.
8. Monitor Your Health: Keep track of how you’re feeling, any weight loss, and other health metrics. You may want to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
9. Adjust as Needed: Listen to your body and make any necessary adjustments to the meal size, eating window, or types of animal products you’re consuming.

What foods can you eat on the OMAD Carnivore diet?

In the OMAD Carnivore diet, you are restricted to consuming animal products within a one-hour eating window, focusing on high-quality meats, fats, and organ meats while eliminating plant-based foods.

• Muscle Meats: Includes beef, pork, lamb, and poultry. These are excellent sources of protein and essential amino acids.
• Fish and Seafood: Includes salmon, sardines, and shellfish, which are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and other essential nutrients.
• Animal Fats: Includes lard, tallow, and other animal-derived fats. These fats are essential for hormone production and cellular function.
• Organ Meats: Includes liver, kidney, and heart. These are nutrient-dense and provide a variety of essential vitamins and minerals not found in muscle meat.
• Eggs and Dairy: Includes eggs, butter, and certain cheeses. These are optional but can provide additional nutrients and variety to the diet.

What foods are restricted on the OMAD Carnivore diet?

On the OMAD Carnivore diet, you are restricted from consuming any plant-based foods, grains, legumes, fruits, and processed foods, focusing solely on animal products during your one-hour eating window.

• Plant-Based Foods: Includes vegetables, fruits, and legumes, which are completely eliminated from the diet.
• Grains and Cereals: Includes wheat, rice, corn, and other grains. These are high in carbohydrates and are avoided.
• Processed Foods: Includes any food that is not in its natural state, like canned goods, processed meats, and ready-to-eat meals.
• Sugars and Sweeteners: Includes natural sugars like honey, as well as artificial sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup.
• Beverages: Includes any drinks that are not water, such as soda, fruit juice, and most alcoholic beverages.

What are the best recipes for the OMAD Carnivore diet?

The best recipes for the OMAD Carnivore diet are those that focus on high-quality animal products, such as grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry, and wild-caught fish, prepared in a simple yet flavorful manner to maximize nutrient density.

1. Steak and Roasts: Recipes like ribeye steak, sirloin, or a beef roast are staples in the carnivore diet. These cuts offer high-fat content and are rich in nutrients.
2. Organ Meats: Liver pate, heart skewers, or kidney sauté offer a range of nutrients not found in muscle meat. These are considered superfoods in the carnivore community.
3. Seafood: Wild-caught salmon, sardines, and shellfish recipes are excellent for variety and are packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Poultry: Chicken thighs, duck breast, or turkey legs cooked with the skin on to maintain fat content. These offer a lighter alternative to red meat.
5. Eggs and Dairy: Recipes like omelets, frittatas, and bone marrow butter are good for adding variety to the diet and are also high in essential nutrients.

What is the sample 7-day meal plan for the OMAD Carnivore diet?

A sample 7-day meal plan for the OMAD Carnivore diet would consist of one substantial meal per day, focusing solely on animal products like meat, fish, and eggs. Each meal is designed to be nutrient-dense, satisfying, and aligned with the principles of both the OMAD and the carnivore diet.

• Day 1: Ribeye Steak with a side of beef liver pate.
• Day 2: Grilled Salmon with a boiled egg.
• Day 3: Pork Chops with bone marrow.
• Day 4: Chicken Thighs cooked in duck fat with a side of chicken liver.
• Day 5: Bison Burger patties with a side of beef heart skewers.
• Day 6: Lamb Chops with a side of scrambled eggs.
• Day 7: Surf and Turf: Lobster tail and filet mignon.

For each of these meals, you can cook using animal fats like tallow or butter. Seasonings should be limited to salt and maybe some simple herbs, as spices and plant-based seasonings are typically avoided on a strict carnivore diet. Remember, the goal is to eat until satiety in that one meal, making sure you are getting enough calories and nutrients to sustain you until your next meal.

Can you exercise while on the OMAD Carnivore diet?

Yes, you can exercise while on the OMAD Carnivore diet, but it’s crucial to time your workouts appropriately to ensure optimal performance and recovery. Many people find that exercising just before their one meal allows them to refuel effectively and aids in muscle recovery.

Can you drink coffee on the OMAD Carnivore diet?

No, you should not drink coffee on the OMAD Carnivore diet if you’re strictly following its guidelines, as coffee is a plant-based product. Consuming coffee would deviate from the carnivore diet‘s principle of consuming only animal-based products.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when following the OMAD Carnivore diet?

One of the key aspects to succeeding on the OMAD Carnivore diet is avoiding common pitfalls that can derail your progress and negatively impact your health.

1. Insufficient Nutrient Intake: Failing to consume a variety of animal products, including organ meats, can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
2. Overeating in the One-Hour Window: Consuming too many calories during the one-hour eating window can negate the benefits of the diet.
3. Poor Quality Animal Products: Opting for processed or low-quality meats can introduce harmful additives and reduce the diet’s effectiveness.
4. Ignoring Hydration: Since you’re not consuming water-rich vegetables and fruits, it’s easy to become dehydrated.
5. Skipping Electrolytes: A diet rich in meats can change your electrolyte balance; neglecting to supplement with essential minerals like sodium and potassium can lead to imbalances.

How do you transition into the OMAD Carnivore diet?

To transition into the OMAD Carnivore diet, start by gradually reducing your carbohydrate and plant food intake while increasing your consumption of animal-based foods. Next, narrow down your eating window over a period of a week or two until you’re eating just one meal a day. This phased approach can make it easier for your body to adapt and may minimize potential side effects like fatigue or digestive issues.

What are some expert opinions on the OMAD Carnivore diet?

Expert opinions on the OMAD Carnivore diet vary, with some health professionals and nutritionists supporting its potential benefits for weight loss and metabolic health, while others raise concerns about nutrient deficiencies and long-term sustainability.