What Is It and Is It Healthy?

You may have heard of the carnivore diet, a restrictive eating plan that focuses on only eating food sourced from animals.

But the lion diet takes that idea one step further by only allowing food from specific types of animals, like lamb, bison and deer.

While some people may claim that this diet helps increase their energy, improve their mental health and alleviate digestive conditions, restricting foods like fruits, vegetables and dairy may do more harm than good.

Registered dietitian Maria Garcia Luis, RD, LD, discusses the risks of following the lion diet.

What is the lion diet?

The lion diet is a type of elimination diet focused on eating only meat from certain types of animals. It was created by a lifestyle blogger and isn’t endorsed by medical professionals.

“Fans of the lion diet believe in its potential to reduce symptoms related to leaky gut syndrome, certain autoimmune conditions or even food sensitivities,” explains Garcia Luis. “It’s primarily believed to eliminate common dietary triggers that can contribute to inflammation.”

Because of its restrictive nature, the lion diet isn’t intended for long-term use. As with any restricted eating plan, the goal is to gradually reintroduce eliminated foods after a few weeks. You want to do so in a controlled manner, as this helps monitor symptoms and identify which food is causing issues.

What you can and can’t eat

Under the lion diet, you can only eat:

• Beef
• Lamb
• Goat
• Elk
• Bison
• Deer
• Salt
• Water

You’ll need to restrict or avoid the following:

• Poultry, like chicken, turkey and duck
• Pork
• Fish or seafood
• Eggs
• Dairy, like milk, cheese and butter
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Grains
• Legumes
• Nuts and seeds
• Oils and fats, other than animal fat
• Supplements, unless medically necessary
• Beverages other than water, like coffee, tea, alcohol and juice

How is it different from the carnivore diet?

When it comes to the lion diet vs. the carnivore diet, the lion diet is much more restrictive. Under the carnivore diet, you can still eat other animal-based foods, like poultry, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy.

Is the lion diet actually good for you?

“Because the lion diet lacks evidence from clinical research, it’s not recommended by experts, as most of the claims out there are anecdotal and based on individual testimonials,” clarifies Garcia Luis.

The idea of eliminating or restricting certain foods isn’t a new concept. But with the lion diet, you’re removing vital food groups from your diet with the hope of reducing certain symptoms like fatigue, food sensitivities, inflammation and digestive issues.

While certain elimination diets may be recommended by your healthcare provider depending on your symptoms, the key difference is that you’re typically eliminating only one food group or ingredient at a time. For example, if you get diarrhea after eating cheese, your healthcare provider may suggest avoiding lactose to see how your body responds.

Why you shouldn’t try this diet

Garcia Luis outlines the common reasons you may want to avoid this diet.

Risk of nutritional deficiencies

One of the main reasons that Garcia Luis doesn’t recommend the lion diet is the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

“Since the lion diet eliminates nearly all food groups, it can lead to deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin C, which is essential for our immune function,” she says.

Nutritional deficiencies may also cause:

• Brain fog
• Muscle loss
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Lack of fiber

The diet also lacks dietary fiber. This can have a negative effect on your gut microbiome and can cause constipation.

“To promote gut microbiome diversity, you need fiber in your diet,” says Garcia Luis. “Without fiber, you reduce the microbial diversity in your gut. This directly affects your digestive health and immune regulation, as these two systems are directly correlated.”

Risk of cardiovascular issues

Garcia Luis also warns that the lion diet may impact your cardiovascular health.

“This diet is high in saturated fats and cholesterol and that leads to an increase in your LDL, or your ‘bad’ cholesterol,” she stresses. “If you already have issues or a family history of any cardiovascular diseases, this diet may accelerate those conditions.”

Loss of interest in social interactions

Garcia Luis says you may also want to consider the social aspect of following such a restrictive diet.

“You may be more likely to avoid social settings,” she notes. “You may want to stay home because you don’t want to have the temptation of eating certain foods that you can’t eat on this diet.”

Another important reminder? Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid the lion diet. It’s also not recommended for children.

Bottom line?

If you’re thinking about trying an elimination diet, the lion diet may not be the right choice. Instead, talk to a healthcare provider, who can find the best approach — whether that’s another type of elimination diet, other lifestyle changes or even medication — to help with your symptoms.

“In some cases, this very restrictive diet may offer temporary symptom relief, but it’s not a cure for chronic conditions,” emphasizes Garcia Luis.

“I’ll always advocate for a more balanced, evidence-based approach to nutrition. That ensures you have an adequate intake of essential nutrients your body needs to support itself and promote sustainable well-being.”