Jordan Peterson’s Diet: What Is It and What Are Its Results?

Who Is Jordan Peterson?

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a well-known Canadian psychologist, author, YouTuber, and online educator. He’s written three books, and his lectures and podcasts about mythology, psychology, and personal development have large audiences worldwide.

How has a psychologist been drawn to dieting?

What Is Jordan Peterson’s Diet?

Jordan Peterson’s diet is a restricted version of the Carnivore diet that focuses on only meat, salt, and water to mimic the traditional eating methods of our meat-eating ancestors to promote weight loss and improve various health issues, especially reducing inflammation.

Peterson was interested in dieting after her daughter Mikhaila, who’s been dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, hypersomnia, bipolar disorder, psoriasis, eczema, and Lyme disease.

To solve her health issues, Mikhaila started an elimination low-carb diet, including vegetables, fruits, and meat.

After a while, she stopped eating fruits. Then, she excluded plant-based foods from her diet and, finally, all kinds of meat except beef.

After two weeks of going on the beef-only diet, there was no arthritic joint pain, and her other symptoms, like extreme fatigue, knee pain, and brain fog, had disappeared.

After six weeks, her anxiety was alleviated, and her short-term memory was improved.

When Peterson realized his daughter’s improvements after eating only meat and water for eight months, he was motivated to try the diet.

In his first stage, which lasted two months, Peterson limited all foods except meat, salt, and water, which is a limited version of the Carnivore diet called the strict Lion Diet.

In his second stage, he added low-carb vegetables and experienced a modified version of the Carnivore diet for a year to see the results.

The Results of Jordan Peterson on the Carnivore Diet

He found that he was doing much better without vegetables and consuming only ruminant meats.

“I lost 50 pounds. My appetite has probably fallen by 70%. I don’t get blood sugar dysregulation problems. I need way less sleep…my gum disease is gone. Like, what the hell?” says Dr. Peterson, and continues that he’s mentally sharper than before and has no anxiety or depression.

But he is not the only one who has experienced positive results. Numerous Carnivores are reporting significant health benefits, and even recent research is supporting these reports [1].

So, if you want to do Jordan Peterson’s diet, what can you eat?

Learn More: Carnivore Diet and Psoriasis [All You Need to Know]

Things You Can and Can’t Eat on the Jordan Peterson’s Diet

Jordan Peterson tried a limited version of the Carnivore diet, where he ate only ruminant meat, salt, and water. That’s all you can eat if you want to try Jordan Peterson’s diet.

But, if you need a less strict beginning, you can start with the modified version, where you can eat low-carb vegetables and meat, gradually avoid greens and other carbohydrates, and start focusing on fatty meat.

But please remember to consult your healthcare professional before trying this diet to ensure it aligns with your needs and goals and if you can consume high amounts of animal fat.

Learn More: How Can a Carnivore Diet Cure Diabetes Type 1 and 2?

Consuming Fat Is Important on the Jordan Peterson’s Diet

Jordan Peterson’s diet, or the all-meat Carnivore, focuses on avoiding carbohydrates and increasing the intake of fat and protein.

Consuming fat is important as it will substitute carbohydrates in producing energy, which will induce and maintain ketosis (burning fat to provide energy).

Ketosis boosts weight loss and brings other health benefits, including reducing inflammation, controlling hunger and appetite, and maintaining muscles.

Jordan Peterson’s experience with fatty meats was positive as he mentioned fatty meats were satiating and helped him control his cravings for bread pudding, peanut butter sandwiches, and ice cream (all carbohydrates and sugar).

So, what are the benefits and side effects of focusing on ruminant meat and avoiding carbohydrates on the Jordan Peterson diet?

Learn More: How to Start a Carnivore Diet?

The Benefits and Side Effects of the Jordan Peterson’s Diet

Jordan Peterson experienced some of the most common benefits and side effects of the Carnivore diet, which are also backed by academic research.

Benefits

• Weight Loss and More Energy Levels: A 2017 study on 120 adults indicated that high-protein diets, like Jordan Peterson’s Carnivore diet, can help decrease body weight, as the fat and protein in meat can help increase energy and satiety, which lower the caloric intake and lead to weight loss and improved body composition [2] [3] [4].
• Better Sleep: A 2008 study on the effects of a Very Low Carbohydrate (VLC) diet on sleep quality showed that a VLC diet can improve SWS sleep (deep sleep stage 4) and decrease REM sleep ('dreaming' sleep), which can result from fat metabolism [5].
• Reduced Stress: Various studies have compared the effects of meat diets and vegetable diets and have shown that consuming meat can reduce anxiety and depression [6]. Also, consuming carbohydrates can increase depression [7].

Side Effects

• Muscle Cramps: Although no studies indicate a connection between a low-carb, high-fat diet like Carnivore and muscle cramps, some individuals may experience joint pain when their body fat increases [8].
• Social Life Challenges: Like Jordan Peterson, you may sometimes find it difficult to dine with others when you’re on a restricted Carnivore diet. However, you can easily find meat dishes in many restaurants. Also, you can communicate your dietary needs and restrictions with the servers or friends. They will get used to it!

Learn More: What Is Paul Saladino's Diet? All You Should Know

Summary

If you’re dealing with inflammation, obesity, or health issues that Mikhaila Peterson had (arthritis, insomnia, psychological disorders, and skin conditions) or wish to reach the results Dr. Peterson achieved, you can try Jordan Peterson’s Carnivore diet.

However, ensure you consult a healthcare professional before making big changes to your eating habits to avoid potential side effects.