Brett uses a strict meat-based carnivore diet of meat and water to heal his long-term depression, severe anxiety, and insomnia. He loves how his body is healing and feeling better than ever!
Brett is a positive influence on many, teaching them to eat as much of the meat they can afford and only when hungry.
I hope you as inspired as I am after reading Brett’s story!
Please introduce yourself briefly with your name, general location, age, height, and current weight.
I am Brett Lloyd
Jacksonville, Florida
Age 59
6’ tall & weight 178
How long have you followed a carnivore diet?
Today is the 626th day I’ve been just eating meat & drinking water.
How did you hear about carnivory and the zero fiber approach?
From a 30 minute cut out from an episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast where Dr. Jordan Peterson described his & his daughter’s experience eating beef, salt & water and how is it eliminated all of his depression and anxiety symptoms.
What was your first impression about eating animal foods exclusively?
Had it been anybody by Dr. Peterson, a man I believe has impeccable integrity, I would have thought “this is crazy!” and moved on.
What made you want to try this WOE for yourself? Where were you coming from at the time?
I suffered from severe depression, anxiety & insomnia for over 40 years & was rightfully led to believe this way of eating would heal me.
Was the beginning hard?
No. I had been low carb/high fat for 3 years prior so adaptation was easy for me as a result.
Was there any unexpected flare-ups or side effects?
No. I had loose stool the 1st five months but it was not a concern for me as I lost ALL my depression symptoms on day 24.
Did any symptoms get worse before they got better?
Better. 24th day ALL my depression symptoms vanished. 5 months into Carnivore my anxiety issues vanished.
Where did your motivation to keep going come from?
The possibility of healing & ending decades of misery: severe depression with psychotic features, severe anxiety & insomnia.
How long until you saw results?
Ten days into carnivore I woke up without joint pain for the first time as an adult.
What is your marker of “healing”?
My marker of healing was the 24th morning when all my depression symptoms vanished as if someone had flipped a switch and the decades-long nightmare was replaced with a wave of happiness and joy that has not left me since that morning. Zero mental illness symptoms is my marker.
Were your family and friends supportive of your choices?
My wife was supportive & hers is the only opinion that mattered to me then & now.
What other diets have you followed, how long were you on them, and what were the results?
I was on the Atkins diet once in 2009-2010 & starting again in Feb 2015 till July 15, 2018.
What did you use to eat before turning to animal-based nutrition?
Standard American diet: carbs sugar & other garbage with meat.
What do you eat now?
I only eat meat and drink water. Since December 2018 I am exclusively eaten very lean ground beef and bacon only. Because it’s the meat I genuinely crave & can afford. Insanely satisfying.
Are you strict meat only?
Yes!
Do you eat poultry, pork, or seafood?
I did the 4 months of carnivore eat fish & pork. Chicken is famine food for me now.
Do you eat eggs or dairy (raw or pasteurized)?
No. Zero interest in either.
Do you ever use culinary herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, etc) or spices (cinnamon, ginger, hot peppers)?
No. I only cook with salt and butter
Do you ever add a plant-based condiment like mustard or salad dressing, etc?
No.
Do you track macros or calories?
No. I only measure the weight of the meat I eat to prevent waste.
Do you supplement with anything?
I use a magnesium lotion on my legs to prevent cramping.
What is your current view on vegetables and plant foods?
It is my sincere belief that plants contain toxins. Plant fiber inflames the human digestive tract and I want no part of that either. Plants are for me, something to only eat to prevent starvation.
Do you ever think of reintroducing plant material to your diet?
No. There is no need for me too ever reintroduce plants, sugar or carbs back in my diet.
Would you perhaps do so in the future? (Could be anything from herbs to white rice to mushrooms to berries, etc) If you have reintroduced something, what was it and what happened?
Because eating this way gives me my sanity I take zero chances. I have no desire to re-introduce any old food. Just not worth the risk to me. I have no desire to try eating berries, honey etc. My sanity is too precious to me to ever risk for any flavor or texture.
Do you ever miss a specific food, meal, or texture?
No. The meat I eat now lean ground beef and bacon satisfies me completely every bite every meal every day. I never miss old favorites.
What does a typical day of eating look like for you?
I only eat when I’m hungry. I get hungry three times a day currently Typically I consume 34 ounces of lean ground beef 90/10 & 93/7 every day and I eat 24 to 30 slices of bacon every day.
Do you practice fasting or OMAD?
No. I was taught by 10 year veterans of this way of eating to only eat when I’m hungry into never deny my body food when it signals it needs nutrition. That’s exactly what I do.
Would you recommend a carnivore diet to someone else and why?
YES!!! It is ancestrally appropriate to only eat meat. Removing toxins from my diet and only eating meat and drinking water has immensely improved every aspect of my life.
My wife healed Osteoarthritis in her shoulders eating this way. Another person I know healed a primary progressive multiple sclerosis eating this way.
What would you say to someone 2 weeks into a carnivore diet who is having a hard time?
Make sure you’re following the directions. Only eat when hungry. When hungry, only eat meat until you are full. Only eat the meat you crave and can afford. Never put a sweet taste into your mouth. This is how I was taught & this is all I do.
If someone wants to learn more about your health journey or contact you, where is the best place for them to go?
Best places to go are to my Instagram @thankful.carnivore & my YouTube channel at Thankful Carnivore. Folks are free to DM me on Instagram if they have questions.
Read more Carnivore Diet results.
Are you ready to try animal-based nutrition for yourself?