For 30 days straight, I ate only meat, salt, and water.
No veggies. No fruit. No chocolate. No wine.
Just animal protein, salt, and hydration.
Not because I hate plants (I love blueberries and mushrooms, promise). Not because I wanted to shock my body into submission. But because I needed a radical reset. Something personal. Intentional. Deep.
This is the truth about what happened — physically, emotionally, socially, and hormonally — and why I believe everyone deserves a season of simplification.
Why I chose the carnivore Diet
For the past 5 years — ever since coming off the contraceptive pill — my cycle has been all over the place. Irregular. Painful. Disruptive.
I went to doctors. I was offered all the usual band-aids:
- Go back on the pill
- Take this tablet
- Consider surgery
None of it felt like true healing. I didn’t want a quick fix. I wanted to actually hear what my body was trying to say.
That’s what led me to the carnivore diet — not as a lifestyle, but as a short-term elimination reset. A way to strip food back to the basics and rebuild trust with my body.
I didn’t do This on a whim
Before I started, I did a lot of research.
- I listened to podcasts
- I read science reports and case studies
- I explored the carnivore community quietly
What I found was fascinating. And as I began, I started to feel it in my own body.
By day 10, after the initial detox, my system switched. Instead of burning sugar and carbs for energy (as most of us do), my body entered a natural state of ketosis — and began burning fat as fuel.
Fat from my food. Fat from my own body.
This wasn’t extreme. It felt optimal.
- I had steady energy
- My mind felt sharp
- My body felt light
- I wasn’t bloated or sluggish
- I wasn’t chasing that second coffee or 3pm chocolate hit
I felt clear. Calm. Balanced.
the Rules I set myself
To keep this clean and consistent, I followed a strict plan:
What I eliminated:
- Alcohol
- Plants (all fruits and vegetables)
- Dairy, sugar, eggs (initially)
What I allowed:
- Ruminant meats (beef, lamb)
- Fish
- Salt
- Water
What I reintroduced (slowly):
- Day 15: Eggs
- Day 22: Butter
- After 30 days: Blueberries, cream, cheese, zucchini, cucumber, mushrooms
The hard parts no one Tells you
This wasn’t a wellness fairy tale. It was hard.
Week 1 was brutal.
- Headaches
- Diarrhoea
- Cravings
- Detoxing from sugar, alcohol, preservatives
Socially, it was isolating.
I skipped dinners and events for two weeks. Eating out was too hard. Even when I could technically order steak and eggs, I preferred cooking at home.
It impacted my relationship.
My partner (a former vegetarian of 15 years) said, “This diet feels repelling.”
We stopped cooking together. Stopped sharing meals. Our evening rituals disappeared. It created disconnection — and it was really hard.
Some nights I cried. I journaled: “Why does this feel so lonely?”
Why I didn’t post about it until Now
I kept quiet about this on social media. Not for any dramatic reason — just… boundaries.
I didn’t want strangers’ opinions clouding my own experience.
This was something personal. Something sacred.
Now that I’ve had time to integrate and reflect, I’m ready to share more. Not because I think you should do it — but because you deserve to know what’s possible when you get clear, clean, and curious with your body.
the Wins that made It worth It
When the hard part passed, the benefits were undeniable:
- Alcohol cravings? Gone.
- Sugar cravings? Gone.
- Energy? Steady all day.
- Sleep? Deep and uninterrupted.
- Mental clarity? Huge.
- Emotional stability? Even bigger.
I realised how often I’d eaten out of emotion:
- For pleasure
- For comfort
- For distraction
Now?
I eat for fuel and for joy — and I know the difference.
One of the best moments was my first fried egg on steak. The yolk ran into the meat. It was simple, unseasoned, salty — and absolutely divine.
I Tracked everything
This wasn’t a casual experiment. I treated it like a case study.
I printed out logs and stuck them to my cupboard. Every night I recorded:
- What I ate
- My sleep
- Energy levels
- Mood
- Bowel movements
- Cycle days
- Workouts and recovery
I wanted data. Self-awareness. Real insight.
the truth About buying meat
Eating only meat isn’t cheap.
At first, I ordered a grass-fed, pasture-raised meat box from a local ethical farm. Amazing quality — but expensive.
Eventually I started hunting for organic specials at Woolies, Coles, and Aldi. Sometimes I settled for conventional meat. You can taste the difference — but I did my best. Not every meal has to be perfect. This wasn’t about perfection.
Where I am now
My diet is still:
- Low-carb, low-sugar
- Mostly animal-based
- Flexible and intuitive
I’ve added back blueberries, mushrooms, zucchini, butter, and cream.
I still start every morning with 500ml of salted water.
I check ingredient labels. I avoid ultra-processed stuff.
And most importantly? I’ve found a baseline that supports:
- My hormones
- My energy
- My brain
- My relationship with food
Final thoughts: My honest reflection
You don’t have to eat only meat to find clarity.
But I do believe everyone deserves a season of simplifying.
A time to tune in. To listen. To learn what truly fuels you.
This was mine.
And if you’re curious — if this stirred something in you — reach out.
I’d love to hear your thoughts or answer your questions.
With love,
Rikki
