Hey, here's an interesting observation. When I eat refined carbs, my face and neck immediately balloon—it's noticeable. The next day, they look even puffier.

I've gone back and forth with the carnivore diet, mainly because I'm a food addict and eventually give in to carbs. But I'm not quitting. I'm not giving in. So, I've started back, feeling really motivated, strong, and trying to listen to my body.

This time, I've doubled my fat intake—more than I've ever done on carnivore before. I expected some puffiness in my face and neck, but surprisingly, it hasn’t happened. I find that really interesting and encouraging.

This isn’t what I plan to stick with long-term, but as my body adjusts and I get used to the diet again, I'm craving fat, so I’m just going with it and seeing what happens. Maybe I'll dial it back in a couple of weeks—or just follow what my body tells me.

I'm sort of in the same boat. I eat a lot of fat. In fact, fat is my favorite thing to eat. I purposely pick the fattiest cut of meats even when it may push the recommended ratio off kilter. Pork belly and fatty cuts of pork have been my go to's as of late. The other day I bought a couple packs of chuck steaks and there were 'more white than red'. 

I just like the fat a lot. I am not sure if it is an actual craving or not. Maybe, maybe not. 

I have lost about 90lbs so far and have eaten higher fat content from the start. There have been times it dropped but those were usually when I was eating what my wife was eating and it may not have been all that fatty.

I'm not sure about how much is too much, or if there is a too much. 

Scott

7 minutes ago, Scott F. said:

I'm sort of in the same boat. I eat a lot of fat. In fact, fat is my favorite thing to eat. I purposely pick the fattiest cut of meats even when it may push the recommended ratio off kilter. Pork belly and fatty cuts of pork have been my go to's as of late. The other day I bought a couple packs of chuck steaks and there were 'more white than red'. 

I just like the fat a lot. I am not sure if it is an actual craving or not. Maybe, maybe not. 

I have lost about 90lbs so far and have eaten higher fat content from the start. There have been times it dropped but those were usually when I was eating what my wife was eating and it may not have been all that fatty.

I'm not sure about how much is too much, or if there is a too much. 

Scott

Yeah, well, we're feeling good, and I know I'm feeling happy and energized. The symptoms from all the junk food wreaking havoc on my body and mind are basically gone.

Ultimately, I do have a goal—I’m aiming for 15% body fat within a year, giving myself some space to experiment, see what works, and adjust as needed.

Also, huge congratulations to you on losing 90 pounds! That’s an incredible achievement, and you should be really proud. It’s great to hear that others are incorporating high fat into their diet as well. That’s really cool!

2 hours ago, Beefbelly said:

When I eat refined carbs, my face and neck immediately balloon—it's noticeable. The next day, they look even puffier.

 

Well then that should tell you something…plants are poison. 
 

 

2 hours ago, Beefbelly said:

But I'm not quitting. I'm not giving in.

That’s great, progress over perfection. 
 

 

2 hours ago, Beefbelly said:

This time, I've doubled my fat intake

Well this is a high fat dietary lifestyle so that’s good as long as your bowels can handle it. Personally I wouldn’t change a thing as long as it’s working for you  

 

2 hours ago, Beefbelly said:

I'm craving fat, so I’m just going with it and seeing what happens

That’s also a good thing. Fat is what satiates and satisfies the cravings especially those carb cravings. 

2 hours ago, Beefbelly said:

Ultimately, I do have a goal—I’m aiming for 15% body fat within a year

Just a cautionary warning, setting goals or having expectations can lead to disappointment and discouragement and ultimately quitting. 
This is not a weight loss diet but a lifestyle of eating that you should do for the rest of your life if you want to maintain optimal health.

So try not to worry about achieving goals so much as just focusing on eating properly and let your body heal and let your body do what it’s going to do. 

On 3/11/2025 at 10:59 AM, Beefbelly said:

When I eat refined carbs, my face and neck immediately balloon—it's noticeable.

That's inflammation right there. 

On 3/11/2025 at 1:39 PM, Geezy said:

Just a cautionary warning, setting goals or having expectations can lead to disappointment and discouragement and ultimately quitting. 

Well said. I always say, don't set goals, make habits. After all it is habits that got us here. 

When the Orweller book of 'sayings' and 'analogies' comes out, can you drop me a line?

Scott

3 minutes ago, Scott F. said:

When the Orweller book of 'sayings' and 'analogies' comes out, can you drop me a line?

Scott

Yes. It will be called "Opinions Nobody Ever Asked For But Given Out of Sheer Compulsion". Audio book soon to follow. 

Book "1 of 1" has been spoken for. Just saying.

Scott

How are things going lately?

I'm around 75-80 % fat (energy %). Carbs under ten grams. Feels good. No cravings,no hunger. Body fat is disappearing.

My fat content has varied. When I was eating a ton of protein for muscle gains I allowed the fat content to drop. I gained some weight and my energy was not depleted but there was a difference.

I have not nailed it down completely as I have tried differing approaches over the last 11 months but for me, and the most part, I do better with a higher fat content.

I am not sure it is the higher the better but definitely higher than the 70/30 advertised ratio.

Scott

I don’t track mine because I’m just too lazy to do it and what I’ve been doing has worked well for me but there was a time when I was curious so I downloaded an app and tracked for a week and it showed my WAG was right around 70% fat and 30% protein.

I didn't track mine the first 6-7 months, maybe 8. The last few I tried to hit a protein target for the 1 gram of protein per pound of ideal body weight for muscle growth.

It was one of those things like "I knew" but didn't "do right". I went to some lean cuts of meats like chicken breasts, etc. to boost the daily protein content. I was counting protein but forgot to factor in those cuts of meat lowered my fat intake. I actually gained some weight and although it didn't totally deplete my energy levels, there were some differences.

In the pursuit of the protein, I put 2 and 2 together and got 3. Once the shortcoming dawned on me it was a quick and easy fix. If I hit the protein target, so be it, if I don't as long as the fat content is up, I'm good.

Mostly it feels like, the more the better.

Scott

After tracking for about 6 months in the beginning, I have enough data to know when to do what when it comes to fat consumption.

I am not worried about hitting numbers. I am fortunate to be at ideal weight and at 11% bodyfat. Having thus not a lot of extra body fat, I do sometimes eat that third meal, which would be mainly focised on fat. Protein is going to be optimal regardless, when on carnivore.

On 5/4/2025 at 4:31 AM, Orweller said:

I do sometimes eat that third meal, which would be mainly focised on fat. Protein is going to be optimal regardless, when on carnivore.

Yeah, getting enough protein is automatic, a 'no-brainer' if you will. I am always looking for more ways to get in adequate fat.

Cheese was raising my phospherous too much - a situation I have to deal with because of my kidney disease. Recently I've become fond of butter bites.

2 minutes ago, Bob said:

Yeah, getting enough protein is automatic, a 'no-brainer' if you will. I am always looking for more ways to get in adequate fat.

Cheese was raising my phospherous too much - a situation I have to deal with because of my kidney disease. Recently I've become fond of butter bites.

I have actually drastically lowered my intake of dairy, with good results. Skin feels better, and even better stool.