From keto to intermittent fasting, India has steadily adopted global diet trends. Now, a more extreme approach is making its way into urban wellness circles: the carnivore diet. This diet eliminates all
plant foods and relies exclusively on animal-based nutrition. Meat, eggs and fats dominate the plate, while grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes disappear entirely.
Its promise is seductive: rapid weight loss, better blood sugar control, and fewer cravings. But in a country whose culinary heritage celebrates diversity with dals, sabzis, fermented foods and fibre-rich staples, this meat-only model raises questions about sustainability and safety.
Why Is The Carnivore Diet Trending On Social Media
“The carnivore diet has started to gain popularity throughout India because it represents the global trend of adopting high-protein and low-carbohydrate dietary patterns,” says Simrat Kathuria, Celebrity Dietitian and Wellness Coach. She explains that the simplicity appeals to many. She explains, “It provides straightforward rules that lead to weight loss, decreased appetite and improved blood sugar management during the initial phase.”
For some, it even feels like a detox. By eliminating processed carbohydrates and sugars, overeating drops naturally.
But Kathuria cautions that Indian food culture is rooted in variety. “The strict carnivore diet prohibits all plant-based foods which people normally associate with maintaining gut health and getting essential nutrients.”
The Science Behind Early Success
Much of the early improvement may have less to do with meat and more to do with what’s removed.
Dr Ridhima Khamesra, Clinical Dietitian, notes, “The carnivore diet didn’t arrive in India through textbooks or clinics. It arrived through frustration.” People exhausted by bloating and stalled weight loss often turn to extremes for clarity.
“When ultra-processed food and excess carbs are removed, markers improve regardless of whether plants are included or not. The diet gets credit for the subtraction, not the structure,” she says. In other words, cutting sugar and junk food would help most people, even without eliminating vegetables.
Hidden Health Trade-Offs
Medical experts warn that long-term risks may outweigh the short-term wins.
“The increasing interest in the carnivore diet creates significant medical risks because people tend to use this diet without medical supervision,” says Dr Pratyaksha Bhardwaj, weight management specialist and world record holder.
He highlights the absence of fibre as a major concern. “Animal-based diets provide insufficient dietary fiber, which leads to gut health problems and cholesterol issues, and increases the risk of colorectal diseases,” he notes.
High saturated fat and red meat consumption may also strain cardiovascular health, especially for Indians already prone to metabolic disorders, hypertension or dyslipidemia. Kathuria adds that modern nutrition is shifting toward protein quality research, metabolic health and personalised nutrition, rather than rigid elimination plans. Sustainability and cultural acceptance, she says, matter just as much as macros.
Where Indian Diets Differ
Traditional Indian meals weren’t designed around extremes. Spices, lentils, fermented foods and seasonal produce support gut resilience and long-term tolerance.
“Cutting them out completely can calm symptoms short term but weaken tolerance long term,” explains Dr Khamesra. Diversity, not restriction, has historically supported digestive strength.
Experts agree on one thing: protein intake deserves more attention, and sugar overload needs correction. But turning a temporary reset into a lifelong rule may backfire. The carnivore diet’s rise reflects growing frustration with modern eating habits more than proof that plants are the problem. While short-term results may feel dramatic, long-term health depends on balance, variety and personalisation. In India, the smartest path forward may not be meat versus plants, but learning how to combine both wisely.
