Alright, so while exploring the bizarre (and, to be honest, rather contentious) realm of carnivorous or animal-based diets, you have most likely come across the Paul Saladino meal list. You’re not alone, I promise. Dr. Paul Saladino is essentially the movement’s poster child, and this material is going viral on social media. Understanding what is truly permitted on this list is essential, regardless of whether you are only interested or are thinking about giving it a try. Although there is a lot of steak and liver, there is more to it than that. Thank God, Saladino’s take on the carnivorous diet is a little more accommodating, allowing for items like fruit, honey, and even raw dairy. So let’s take it one bite at a time and dissect everything.
Who Is Paul Saladino Anyway?
Let’s talk about the man who created this list before we get too technical. A former psychiatrist who now practices functional medicine, Dr. Paul Saladino has long been one of the most vocal proponents of the carnivore diet. He has authored publications such as The Carnivore Code and frequently appears on YouTube, Instagram, and podcasts discussing how contemporary diets are actually harming us.
He doesn’t advocate for the traditional carnivorous diet of “just eat meat and salt.” No, his method is known as the animal-based diet, and it consists of meat along with a few items that people who are carnivores wouldn’t eat, such as fruit and honey-based carbohydrates.
The Core of the Paul Saladino Food List
Alright, let’s get into the actual food list. What can you eat? What’s totally off-limits? Let’s dig in.
Animal-Based Goodies You Can Eat
These are the foods that Dr. Saladino swears by—and yeah, he eats this stuff pretty much every day.
- Meat: Beef (grass-fed is preferred), lamb, bison, and wild game. Organ meats are a big deal too. Think liver, heart, kidney, spleen… all that stuff.
- Fatty Cuts: Ribeye is the king here. The more fat, the better.
- Fish and Seafood: Salmon, sardines, mackerel—fatty fish are ideal. Shellfish is also cool.
- Eggs: Pasture-raised if you can get ’em.
- Raw Dairy: Think raw milk, raw cheese, kefir, colostrum. Yes, it’s controversial, and nope, not legal everywhere.
- Fruit: Bananas, mangoes, papaya, watermelon, and berries. Seasonal and organic is best.
- Honey: A-OK. In fact, he eats it daily, usually post-workout.
- Bone Broth: Great for gut health and mineral support.
One weird but interesting thing: he loves organs and is a big advocate for eating “nose-to-tail” to get all the nutrients your body needs. If you’re not into liver, he even has supplements to help you out (which, yes, he sells—so take that how you will).
Foods to Avoid on the Paul Saladino Diet
This is where things get a little controversial. Saladino recommends staying away from a lot of foods that most people think are healthy.
- Vegetables: Yep. He says most veggies are full of plant toxins like oxalates, lectins, and phytates. That includes spinach, kale, broccoli, etc.
- Grains and Legumes: Bread, rice, beans, oats—they’re all out.
- Seed Oils: Canola, soybean, corn, sunflower. These are a hard NO. He claims they’re super inflammatory.
- Nuts and Seeds: Too many antinutrients and omega-6 fats.
- Processed Foods: No brainer here. If it comes in a package and has a long ingredient list, it’s not making the cut.
- Artificial Sweeteners: Stevia, sucralose, aspartame? Avoid them all.
But Wait…Why No Veggies?
It sounds crazy, I know, I know. Since kindergarten or so, we’ve been advised that we should eat our vegetables. However, Saladino contends that plants have evolved natural compounds, often known as poisons, to defend themselves since they don’t genuinely want to be eaten. He thinks that these poisons can affect your hormones, intestines, and general well-being. Are we all on his side? Not at all. However, the man has a sizable fan base and numerous anecdotal success stories to support him.
Is the Paul Saladino Diet Actually Healthy?
The answer is really influenced by who you ask. Advocates report feeling fantastic, with increased energy, smoother skin, better digestion, increased mental clarity, reduced autoimmune symptoms, and more. Critics claim that it lacks fiber and is far too tight, and its long-term health is still up for debate.
Additionally, some dietitians note that eliminating entire food groups—such as all grains and vegetables—isn’t quite balanced. Indeed, if you’re not careful, consuming a lot of liver might result in an excess of vitamin A. As with anything drastic, do your research and perhaps consult a doctor who won’t freak out if you tell them you’re switching from kale to raw milk.
Who Is This Diet For?
This diet might be interesting if:
- You’ve tried other diets and still feel like trash.
- You’re dealing with autoimmune stuff or chronic inflammation.
- You’re curious about ancestral eating (aka how our great-great-great-grandparents ate).
- You’re okay giving up bread, veggies, and probably 90% of what’s in your pantry right now.
But if you’re vegan or even a plant-based flexitarian… this probably ain’t your jam.
Final Thoughts on the Paul Saladino Food List
Therefore, it is clear that the Paul Saladino meal list is not your typical diet. It challenges a lot of conventional health advice and is primarily plant-based and animal-based. Is it for every individual? Not at all. Is it fascinating, though? Of course. It forces you to consider the true demands of your body and the source of your food, if nothing else. It can be eye-opening to learn what this guy takes (and avoids), whether you want to try it or not.
Just keep in mind to pay attention to your body, maintain an open mind, and refrain from consuming raw liver smoothies because someone on the social network said that they had a life-changing experience.
