Okay, so I’ve been hearing a lot about this “carnivore diet” thing, and honestly, it sounded pretty extreme. But then I stumbled upon this idea of a “gray zone” carnivore approach, and it piqued my interest. It’s basically about leaning heavily into animal products but still allowing for some flexibility with plants. I figured, why not give it a shot and see how it feels?
Getting Started
First thing I did was clean out my pantry. I got rid of most of the processed stuff, the grains, the sugary snacks – you know, the usual suspects. It was actually kind of liberating, like hitting a reset button.
Then, I hit the grocery store. My cart was looking pretty different: lots of meat (beef, chicken, some pork), eggs, and some full-fat dairy. I also grabbed a few low-carb veggies like spinach and broccoli, just to keep things interesting, and because, full disclosure, I enjoy my veggies.
The First Few Days
I started by making simple meals. Think steak and eggs, chicken salad with avocado, that kind of thing. I wasn’t counting calories or macros or anything, just focusing on eating when I was hungry and stopping when I was full.
I started with breakfast.
- I cooked up some bacon and eggs.
- I fried those eggs in the bacon fat,because, why waste it?.
I also made a big batch of bone broth. Simmering some beef bones with veggies and spices. It smelled amazing and was super satisfying.
How I Felt
Honestly, the first few days were a bit rough. I felt a little sluggish, maybe a bit of a headache. I think my body was adjusting to burning fat instead of carbs. I also found some problems, but I drank plenty of water and added some extra salt to my food, which seemed to help.
I kept going, and after that initial hump, I started to feel…good. Like, really good. I had more energy, my digestion felt smoother, and I wasn’t craving snacks all the time. It was pretty surprising!
The “Gray” Part
Now, about that “gray zone”. I’m not super strict. Sometimes, if I’m out with friends, maybe I have my burger with lettuce, maybe a few pieces of fruit. I’m not beating myself up about it. The point is, the majority of my diet is now animal-based, and that’s what’s making the difference.
For example:
- I added some blueberries to my full-fat yogurt.
- I made a stir-fry with beef and a small amount of broccoli.
I am not being dogmatic about it, just finding what works for me.
The Results (So Far)
It’s still early days, but I’ve definitely noticed some positive changes. I’ve lost a few pounds without really trying, my skin looks clearer, and I just feel…better. More focused, more energetic, less bloated. I’m going to keep experimenting with this and see where it takes me. Maybe I’ll tweak things as I go, but for now, I’m pretty happy with this “gray zone” carnivore thing.
I’m not saying this is for everyone, and I’m definitely not a doctor or a nutritionist. But I wanted to share my experience in case anyone else is curious about this way of eating. It’s been a surprisingly positive journey for me so far!
