If you follow my posts on GlucoJourney, you know I’m curious about any way of eating that promises steadier sugars and fewer crashes. Lately, the carnivore diet has been getting a lot of focus with some celebs using this to lose weight.
I came across an interesting YouTube channel Steak & Butter Gal (Bella), whose practical “newbie” videos, high‑fat approach, and monthly 30‑day challenges have helped many people try a meat‑only reset.
Below is a balanced, evidence‑aware guide to carnivore; what it is, how Bella suggests getting started, where it may help blood sugar, and where caution is essential (especially if you’re trying to manage your diabetes).
This post is informational only and not medical advice. If you use insulin, sulfonylureas, or SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, canagliflozin, etc.), speak with your GP before any very‑low‑carb or ketogenic diet. NICE specifically advises adults on SGLT2 inhibitors not to start a very‑low‑carb/ketogenic diet because of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) risk.
What is the carnivore diet?
Carnivore is the most “zero‑carb” version of low‑carb: meat, fish/seafood, eggs, and (depending on how strict you are) some dairy; while excluding all plant foods (grains, legumes, fruit, veg, nuts, seeds). Think keto without the broccoli on the side!
Because carbohydrate intake is near‑zero, many people spend time in nutritional ketosis, which explains the appetite reduction some people report, and why glucose spikes after meals often vanish.
How Steak & Butter Gal frames a beginner approach
Bella’s channel revolves around simple starts, community, and troubleshooting:
- Newbie playlists & live Q&As. Her “Carnivore for Newbies” playlist condenses lessons on adapting, common mistakes, and practical tips. YouTube
- 30‑day challenges & coaching. Her private community (“Steak & Butter Gang”) runs monthly challenges with “Priming, Feasting & Fasting” structure and live calls. The Steak & Butter Gang
- High‑fat emphasis & ratio tinkering. She frequently discusses dialing the fat:protein ratio to improve satiety, energy, and (for some) skin and hormonal symptoms. YouTube
- Salt takes vary. Notably, Bella has experimented with zero added salt, which differs from many ketogenic programs that recommend intentional sodium during adaptation. YouTube+1
You’ll also find “what I eat in a day,” “things I’d do differently,” and cautionary shorts like “WARNING Before You Go Carnivore.”
Where carnivore might help blood sugar
There are a few positives from the diet that can help manage your blood sugar.
- Post‑meal glucose control. With almost no carbohydrate, the diet typically flattens post meal spikes. For people with type 2 diabetes, it has been well‑supported that ketogenic/very‑low‑carb approaches have shown improved HbA1c, reduced meds, and weight loss (including in multi‑year, clinic‑run programs). Virta Health+1
- Weight and triglycerides. Diabetes UK recognises low‑carb diets as a short‑term effective option for many adults with type 2 diabetes to improve weight, HbA1c and blood lipids. (Carnivore is an extreme form of low‑carb.) Diabetes UK
- Anecdotal symptom relief. A large (but self‑selected) 2021 survey of >2,000 carnivore dieters reported high satisfaction and improvements in various symptoms. While interesting, this was not a randomised trial and cannot prove causation. PMC
Where you need to be careful
Whilst I have recommended low carb and intermittent fasting, carnivore is a stricter version of this with more restrictions. There are some risks we you should consider before undertaking a shift to this diet;
1) Lipids and heart risk.
LDL‑cholesterol often rises on ketogenic diets, I know that my cholesterol has increased with my diet. I have also seen some articles that report current approaches and understanding of cholesterol needs more work. I will write a separate blog on that sometime.
A 2021 randomized trial in healthy young women on a ketogenic LCHF diet found significant LDL‑C and apoB increases within three weeks. The American Heart Association still recommends keeping saturated fat <6% of calories. If you try carnivore, plan to monitor LDL‑C and apoB with your clinician. PubMed+1
2) Nutrient gaps & fibre.
A 2024 nutrient‑profiling analysis of carnivore menus found shortfalls for vitamin C, folate, thiamin, magnesium, calcium and sometimes iodine, potassium; fibre is effectively zero. In the UK, our NHS recommends ~30 g/day of fibre for bowel and cardiometabolic health; carnivore won’t provide it.
If you do a short trial, watch bowel habits closely and consider medical supervision if you are concerned. PMC+1
3) Kidneys & protein.
People with chronic kidney disease who are not on dialysis are often advised to limit protein; shifting to very high intakes should be clinician‑guided. National Kidney Foundation
4) Medications—especially SGLT2 inhibitors.
As noted above, NICE advises adults on SGLT2 inhibitors not to start very‑low‑carb/ketogenic diets due to DKA risk. If you’re on insulin or sulfonylureas, medication reduction may be needed to avoid hypos when you lower carbs. nice.org.uk
5) Salt & electrolytes.
A lot of ketogenic programs often recommend 3–5 g sodium/day during adaptation (e.g., salting to taste and broth) because low insulin increases sodium excretion. Bella has also showcased no‑salt experiments. Whichever you choose, monitor how you feel (dizziness, cramps, heart palpitations) and discuss with your GP if you have hypertension, heart or kidney issues. Virta Health+2Virta Health+2
Conclusion
I am considering a move towards carnivore but will dip my toe so to speak by trying some of Bella’s recipes to help me keep my carb count low. Making pancakes solely with eggs and adding extra things like vanilla for flavour are on my bucket list of things to try…
- Steak & Butter Gal provides a clear, community‑driven, high‑fat on‑ramp to carnivore, with lots of troubleshooting for beginners. YouTube+1
- For blood sugar, near‑zero carbs can flatten post‑meal spikes and (in clinical ketogenic programs) reduce meds and A1c scores, but carnivore’s restrictiveness, potential LDL‑C rises, nutrient gaps, and zero fibre mean you should go in with eyes open. nhs.uk+3Virta Health+3PubMed+3
- If you’re in the UK and on SGLT2 inhibitors, carnivore/very‑low‑carb isn’t recommended without specific medical guidance due to DKA risk. nice.org.uk