
It’s Veganuary, and many of us are tucking into our veggies and tofu, giving plant-based eating a go – but not on TikTok.
The lion diet, also known as the carnivore diet, is gaining popularity, with the hashtag #liondiet receiving over 19 million views.
Proponents claim it entails consuming only salt, red meat, and water for at least one month… and that’s it.
While you could be forgiven for grabbing for the broccoli, supporters claim it improves cognitive function, lowers bloating, and boosts energy levels. Some people believe it ‘heal’ autoimmune illnesses, allergies, and intolerances.
However, others in the know have questioned the authenticity of these claims and are warning people not to eat like a lion.
Claudia Le Feuvre, a nutritionist at Goldster spoke about the negative impacts of the viral diet.
She said: ‘Beef is a very low allergenic food so while the lion diet might feel like an easy and good solution for people with IBS, underlying food intolerances, and inflammation triggered by the food allergens, it is not a long-term or healthy solution.
‘The biggest risk is that if you’re only eating beef, you are missing out on other nutrients like healthy fats, fibre and all the vitamins and minerals from fruit and vegetables.
‘In the long run, you could develop a significant nutrient deficiency.’
There were some accusations on TikTok that humans had been eating lions, which prompted many to question the veracity of these assertions.
Claudia said: ‘We don’t fully know the long-term consequences of this diet, but we know that salt is not helpful for fluid retention and blood pressure, so I wouldn’t recommend people to try out this trend.
‘I understand that people are doing it because it provides temporary relief from some of their symptoms, but there are far more superior ways of identifying and addressing underlying food intolerances and what the triggers are.
If you have food intolerances or autoimmune disorders and are unsure how to eat to alleviate your symptoms, consult your doctor.
It is also advisable consulting a dietitian or nutritionist and obtaining expert advice before embarking on a fad diet. It has the potential to cause far more harm than benefit.
Claudia said: ‘The long-term results and consequences from this are likely to include: halitosis (bad breath), piles, high cholesterol, constipation, haemorrhoids and very low energy because they’re missing a lot of the fibre and good nutrients from carbohydrates.
‘So, in short I’m not a fan and would highly recommend people skip it.’