Figuring out what to feed your baby can be stressful. But you can take one option off the menu – a carnivore diet. It is too restrictive for babies and toddlers.
Here to explain why this meat-forward diet being promoted on social media is a mis-steak for this age group is Alexis Riccione, a family nurse practitioner at Novant Health Okatie Primary Care in Okatie, South Carolina.
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What is a carnivore diet, and does it have any merit?
The carnivore diet is a very low-carb way of eating. Adults on the carnivore diet eat only meat and a few other animal products like butter and eggs. They avoid fruits, vegetables, any kind of grains, beans, nuts, seeds, yogurt and milk. Most dietitians say it’s too restrictive for adults — and it’s definitely not healthy for babies and toddlers.
Why shouldn’t babies and toddlers be on a carnivore diet?
Many adults try to limit their calories, but babies and toddlers are completely different: They need a lot of calories to fuel their rapidly growing bodies and brains and to help their immune system protect them. Those calories should contain a variety of nutrients including carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Cutting out food groups is the direct opposite of what babies and toddlers should do. Instead, they should eat from all the food groups, including fruits, vegetables, grains, plant-based proteins, and a small amount of meat so they get the variety they need.
A carnivore diet may not provide enough fiber, iron, folate, calcium, Vitamin C, magnesium, or potassium, and won’t include the antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables. This means babies are at risk for developing rickets disease and could have poor bone, muscular and eye development, restricted growth, and cognitive delays. They could develop failure to thrive and could even die.
Are there any benefits to feeding my baby a carnivore diet?
One benefit of the carnivore diet is that it limits processed foods and foods with a lot of added sugar, but you can limit these without placing your child on a carnivore diet.
But isn’t all the protein in the carnivore diet a good thing?
Protein has been getting a lot of attention lately. One reason is that many adults are on injectable GLP-1 medication for weight loss, which can suppress their appetite. We have to remind these adults to eat enough protein to sustain muscle development so they don’t experience muscle-wasting. But the emphasis on protein is for adults on GLP-1s — not children.
Babies and toddlers need protein, but they also need carbohydrates and glucose so their brain can develop and their muscles have energy. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are great sources for both.
Could I put my baby on the carnivore diet and give them supplements to fill in the nutritional blanks?
I caution against this, because there can be “too much of a good thing.” Regularly, I order routine bloodwork for adults and find that their levels of certain vitamins are dangerously high because they’re taking supplements. Supplements aren't regulated by the FDA . Unless you pick supplements that are NSF-certified or USP-verified, we don’t know for sure if you’re getting the dose listed on the bottle or what fillers they’re using. This can be very dangerous with babies.
Have your baby spend time outside so they can produce vitamin D. Let them eat vitamins and minerals in normal amounts through vegetables, fruits, whole foods and fortified foods. This balance should take care of their needs. (Exception: Exclusively breastfed babies may require vitamin D and/or iron supplementation; talk with your child’s medical provider about this.)
Babies and toddlers shouldn’t be put on a restrictive diet unless they have a health condition that requires a specific diet for disease management.
How do I safely introduce animal-based foods to my baby?
For the first six months of life, breast milk and formula provide all the nutrients and calories your baby needs. Once they’re 6 months old — or earlier if your child’s medical provider agrees — you can start introducing animal foods in small amounts. Meat and eggs should be fully cooked, without sauces or spices, and should be pureed at first (to learn more about an alternative to purees called baby-led weaning, check out this article.)
You can also feed your baby a variety of plant-based foods, including sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados, beans, lentils, quinoa, iron-fortified infant cereals, berries, mangoes, pineapples, broccoli and tomatoes.
Around year one, formula-fed infants can start transitioning from formula to cow’s milk. Breastfed infants can continue with breastmilk as long as you both wish and can add in milk-based products like cheese and yogurt. Throughout it all, focus on balance — not overly restricting a food or food group.
How do I know if a health trend is right for my baby?
One guideline to keep in mind is that children are not mini adults. Work with a provider or other clinician who understands child development to determine the best and safest course for your children.
In general, be skeptical about what you see, even from physicians online, because those physicians don't know your health history and may be working with a very specific population instead of the general public.
If you have a question about a trend or whether something is accurate or not, that's what your child’s medical provider is for. We’ve gone through classes to help us interpret medical research. We know your child, we have all of your child’s lab results and we know your child’s medical history, so we can have educated conversations about your concerns and the healthiest way to address them. Send us a message or schedule an appointment and let’s talk.
A lot of these social media trends come from a distrust of the medical profession, but I try my hardest every day to be worthy of your trust. My favorite part of family medicine is getting to know my patients over a long time and building a relationship. We’re here to take care of you and want you to be healthy, safe, functioning at your highest level and living your best life.
