According to Robert Santana, nutritionist and owner of Weights & Platesm, any diet can help you lose weight. However, what matters is how long you can maintain that weight loss. This requires a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Below are some limitations if you are on a low-carb, meat-only diet to lose weight.
1. Excess fat and cholesterol
Because the meat-based diet focuses on eating only animal foods, your meals will be high in saturated fat and cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), eating foods high in saturated fat increases cholesterol levels, especially LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), in the blood. This increase in cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The AHA recommends limiting saturated fat to 6% of daily calories. Eating a lot of meat, however, will put you over the AHA's recommendation for saturated fat.
"Excess fat, especially saturated fat and trans fat, is linked to weight gain and increased cholesterol levels, both of which lead to heart disease," Anthony DiMarino, nutritionist and founder of Eat Move Improve, tells Livestrong.
2. Not getting enough fiber
Fiber is very good for our health. According to Mayo Clinic, fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.
Benefits associated with a high-fiber diet include: Preventing constipation, good for gut health, reducing cholesterol levels, controlling blood sugar, helping with weight loss.
The Mayo Clinic recommends a minimum of 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams per day for men. Since the best sources of fiber include fruits, beans and other legumes, nuts and seeds, and vegetables, it is unlikely that you will meet these fiber recommendations if you are on a meat-only diet.
3. Malnutrition
Eating only meat or eating too much meat can result in deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and other antioxidants that are abundant in plant-based foods.
In addition to nutritional limitations, eating only meat can lead to indigestion, which can eventually lead to anorexia or worse, eating disorders.
