Dangerous ‘real food’ diets going viral on TikTok and infiltrating Australian homes

‘Real food’ diets, including the carnivore regime, encourages people to ditch carbs, fruits and vegetables for meat, eggs and milk. But they have a dark secret you need to know.

‘Real food’ content has gone viral on TikTok, with influencers the world over encouraging people to ditch carbs, fruits and vegetables for meat, eggs and milk.

The trend has now infiltrated Australian homes, but do the dangers of the diet outweigh the positives?

‘Real food’ content generally features someone making a meal consisting of one or more steaks, at least two eggs, some fruit (if you’re lucky), and honey.

‘Real food’ lovers also tend to endorse drinking raw milk… yes, the illegal-because-it’s-dangerous raw milk.

While most of the items featured in the videos contain nutrients we need, exclusively eating these foods could pose real threats to your health.

The carnivore diet (consuming only animal based products) is an example of a ‘real food’ trend which has boomed in popularity in recent years after being endorsed by the likes of Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson.

American podcaster Joe Rogan has followed the carnivore diet. Picture: YouTube

Dietitians Australia president Dr Fiona Willer, a dietitian and bioethicist, knows a thing or two about what the human body needs.

“In order to function well, we need a mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats,” Dr Willer said.

Dr Willer said while our bodies could deal with a lot of protein, health professionals would never recommend the consumption of meat and animal products alone.

The inclusion of fruit, often avocado and/or berries, to some of these meals is beneficial, but “not enough” to create a balanced diet, Dr Willer explained.

“It’s like trying to grasp victory from the jaws of defeat,” she said, laughing.

“Avocados have great fats in them, they’re tasty, they’re great for us. Berries are also great for us, but they’re not enough.

The carnivore diet may be doing you more harm than good.

“We really need a variety of fruit and veg and grain and protein for our bodies to work at their best.”

Dr Willer said food safety risks were an immediate concern for anyone eating primarily red meat, especially if it was being served rare or raw.

“Many cultures serve food that is undercooked or raw, but it’s often served with a source of acid that helps mitigate that food safety risk,” she said.

“A big concern, particularly in Australia where it’s typically hot, is with steaks sitting out too long or even sitting in the fridge too long before being consumed raw.

“It puts people at a high risk of getting food poisoning because bacteria loves protein and moisture, making meat ideal for growing it.”

Dr Willer also hitout at the trend of promoting the consumption of raw milk, otherwise known as unpasteurised milk, which contained no extra nutritional value.

It does, however, contain harmful bacteria which can cause foodborne illnesses that may lead to severe or even life-threatening complications.

“We pasteurise and homogenise milk for a reason,” Dr Willer said.

Author and media commentator Jordan Peterson follows the carnivore diet

“You’re taking your health into your own hands if you’re drinking raw milk.”

Dr Willer said its consumption posed an especially significant threat to at-risk demographics.

“Raw milk is dangerous for healthy adults, but certainly no one who’s immunocompromised, no babies, pregnant women, or older adults should be drinking it at all.”

These problematic recommendations are reaching vast audiences on TikTok.

Worryingly, approximately 55 per cent of TikTok users were under the age of 30 and 25 per cent were aged 10-19.

These impressionable audiences are especially vulnerable to the ‘real food’ trend, which also overlaps with hypermasculine content, meaning boys are especially likely to be influenced.

Dr Willer said it was a “recipe for nutrient deficiencies” and could interfere with a teenager’s growth.

Mikhaila Peterson, daughter of Jordan Peterson, is also an advocate of the carnivore diet.

“Puberty may not go to plan, they might end up with weaker bones.

“A narrow diet is also behaviourally and psychologically associated with the development of eating disorders.

“They can be affected beyond just the nutrition issue.”

Young boys seeking an ‘alpha’ diet or lifestyle could end up physically and psychologically weaker as a result of following the ‘real food’ trend.

Emphasising the dangers of taking health advice from unqualified strangers on the internet, Dr Willer urged people to seek help from professionals.

“You don’t need to struggle with food choices,” she said.

“If you’re struggling with your body or food, check in with your GP or an accredited practising dietitian to get help.”

Originally published as Dangerous ‘real food’ diets going viral on TikTok and infiltrating Australian homes