RFK Jr. follows a carnivore diet. That doesn’t mean you should.

Influencers and Government Leaders Fuel Viral Misinformation About Carnivore Diets

A growing wave of influencers and even government officials are promoting extreme “carnivore diets,” claiming that eliminating all foods except meat is the healthiest choice. This trend, amplified by social media, has sparked concern among nutrition experts and public health advocates.

Dr. Anthony Chaffee, an MD with nearly 400,000 Instagram followers, recently declared that the “best thing you could do is eliminate everything except fatty meat and lard.” Meanwhile, another doctor, who described himself as “90% carnivore,” told LinkedIn followers that “there is zero scientific evidence to say that vegetables are required in the human diet.” He claimed to have eaten a kilo of beef the previous day and warned about “anti-nutrients” in vegetables—a term often misused to scare people away from plant-based foods.

The carnivore diet trend isn’t new. Psychologist and author Jordan Peterson has been promoting a meat-only lifestyle since 2018. However, a recent review of nutrition misinformation on social media found that platforms like Instagram and YouTube are flooded with dubious diet advice, much of it lacking scientific backing. Researchers have labeled this a “growing public health concern.”

What’s alarming is that some of this misinformation now comes from the highest levels of government. In January, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who leads the Department of Health and Human Services, told a USA Today reporter that he follows a carnivore diet, eating only meat or fermented foods. He claimed the diet helped him lose “40% of [his] visceral fat within a month.”

Adding to the controversy, Martin Makary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, recently argued in a podcast that “government needs to stop spreading misinformation that natural and saturated fats are bad for you.” He described the principles of “whole foods and clean meats” as “biblical.” His interviewer even said Makary’s warnings about pesticides made him want to “avoid all salads and completely miss the organic section in the grocery store.”

For the record, there is substantial scientific evidence linking diets high in saturated fat to an increased risk of heart disease. This is not government misinformation—it’s well-established medical research.

As the debate over nutrition continues, experts urge the public to critically evaluate health claims, especially those promoted by influencers or public figures. While personal dietary choices are valid, spreading unverified or harmful advice can have serious consequences for public health.

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