The adventurer is now "super against" vegetables, grains and nuts and in favour of red meat, dairy, and eggs
Bear Grylls has revealed he has ditched his vegan diet and returned to eating meat and dairy.
The Man vs Wild presenter spoke with GQ to share that his previous vegan diet of raw juices and vegetables lead him to kidney pains. Additionally, Grylls claimed his ‘health tanked’ when following a plant-based diet.
Instead, the adventurer now eats a lot of red meat, eggs, and dairy – foods that have been criticized by professionals for contributing to several health issues such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and even cancer.
What’s more, Grylls is now “super against” grains and wheat – similar to those who follow a paleo diet.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’ve had millions of years of evolution where we’re designed to eat meat”
During the interview, Grylls shared: “I changed my mindset away from vegetables are great to realizing we’ve had millions of years of evolution where we’re designed to eat meat and milk and eggs.”
Moreover, Grylls explained what a typical meal at home now includes: “A burger from grass-fed mince, with cheese and an egg on top, cooked in tallow, fry some white rice in it. A scoop of bone marrow, a massive tub of Greek yoghurt, and honey and berries.”
In the interview, Bear revealed that his new diet had been influenced by Paul Saladino, AKA the ‘Carnivore MD’.
Saladino is an advocate for carnivorism, claiming it can “attain radical health, strength, & vitality”. Additionally, he has featured on the notorious Joe Rogan Experience to explain the ‘negative effects’ of eating too many plants – a theory which is often debunked by researchers and experts.
Supports of the carnivore diet often cite that vegetables are toxic because of lectins and phytic acid that are often found in plant-based foods.
According to McGill, there is little research to suggest that we should avoid lectin foods and that unless you’re living where deficiencies are common, phytic acid should not be a concern.
Kevin Klatt, Ph.D. in Molecular Nutrition, added: “Vegetarians and vegans do not typically have higher rates of anaemia. Phytic acid is a common bogeyman in circles trying to demonize any plant-based food.”
Want to improve your health? Read our guide on what makes a healthy vegan diet
Feature image credit: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
