Jenny McCarthy claims she 'almost died' as a vegan but eating a carnivore diet was 'incredible.' A dietitian says she 'wouldn't recommend it'
Jenny McCarthy is opening up about a new meat-only diet she's following, one that numerous experts have warned might come with health risks. The Masked Singer judge, 52, was a recent guest on a podcast hosted by TV host Maria Menounos, 46, where she explained she "almost died" as a vegan and was advised to go "full carnivore."
"I tried vegan and I almost died. I literally almost died," the model said on an episode of the "Heal Squad x Maris Menounos" podcast. "I became so ill from being a vegan. ... I was exhausted, fatigued — I was a mess."
McCarthy shared her functional medicine doctor told her last year to go "full carnivore," and doing so gave her "huge energy." She added going carnivore was her "last resort diet," but that it has been "incredible" for her health. The former co-host of The View explained she now experiences normal digestion without needing laxatives.
She's not the first celebrity to try adopting a carnivore diet. McCarthy joins the ranks of people like Joe Rogan, Heidi Montag, Emma Slater and Mikhaila Peterson, all of whom have touted the supposed benefits of a diet full of meat and animal products. Even TikTok wellness influencers have suggested the carnivore diet is a solution for everything from adult acne to gut health.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Heal Squad (@healsquad)
However, experts have been raising concerns about solely eating animal products, insisting a carnivore diet could come with health risks. In a previous interview, Canadian dietitian Abbey Sharp previously explained this diet comes with several drawbacks and possible long-term health effects you shouldn't ignore. "It basically goes against all the good science we have on the most beneficial dietary patterns for good health."
Consuming a diet full of meat and animal products will increase your daily intake of protein, which is also "incredibly satiating," according to Sharp. In turn, this can help you feel full for longer throughout your day, meaning you may eat less and see weight loss. Removing fermentable carbohydrates like FODMAPs can also reduce your bloating and digestive comfort.
But Sharp emphasized the drawbacks of a carnivore diet, indicating for instance that cutting out fibre from your diet essentially starves your gut bacteria. "Long-term, this can increase the risk of severe dysbiosis, wiping out the good gut bacteria."
Additionally, a carnivore diet could lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin C, antioxidants and plant-based polyphenols. Moreover, having a diet high in saturated fat and low in fibre and other nutrients is a "recipe to increase your risk of heart disease," Sharp noted.
Long term, it's best to not overlook the possible health implications. Staying on a carnivore diet for long period of time may lead to an increased risk of gut health disturbances. "When we disrupt the delicate balance of our gut microbiome, this has a trickle-down effect to interfere with the health of every other bodily process," Sharp said.
Instead of taking on extreme dietary measures like the carnivore diet, it's best to work with a dietitian to identify specific triggers causing symptoms. For Sharp, the carnivore diet isn't something people should be practicing: "This is a bottom-of-the-list diet that I wouldn't recommend. It's up there as an 'absolute no' in almost every case."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Elle
7 hours ago
- Elle
Can Taking an ‘Offline Summer' Recharge Your Style?
Style Points is a column about how fashion intersects with the wider world. Back when modems made banshee-like noises and webpages took full minutes to load, the internet was already driving fashion. Whether it was the dawn of e-commerce, the rise of street-style blogs, or the rabbit hole of niche designer forums, being online became a periscope out of the limited 'real' world. Later, logging on to Lookbook or Tumblr was a way to find the community you were lacking in your small town. And now, while it remains an IRL medium, everything happening in fashion really happens online, whether it's TikTok microtrends or Substack essays decrying TikTok microtrends. The physical world's surrender to the digital realm is something of a done deal. But what if that's no longer the case? Along with a rise in analog-ophilia—film photography is back, print books have triumphed over Kindles, tactile hobbies are offering an antidote to screen time—has come a nostalgic mode in fashion. New independent print publications are springing up and luxury houses are paying homage to literary figures. Fashion magazine and book archives (like the recently opened Library 180) cater to Instagrammed-out creative directors looking for new visual fields to till. Even online, everyone now aspires to be offline, chronicling their digital detoxes and offering tips for looking at your phone less, though they broadcast these messages from their phones, of course. Pinterest declared 2025 to be a 'digital detox summer' after finding that searches for digital detox-themed vision boards went up 273 percent. And being offline is increasingly a luxury, a sign that you're not subject to the whims of Slack or scheduling software. In the same way that, circa 2022, food motifs became a fixture in fashion as a symbol of plenty, time away from your device has become the ultimate flex. It goes along with a broader lamentation of the way social media has led us all to dress the same. Or, as ELLE's own fashion news editor Alexandra Hildreth said, in a statement that has spawned multiple think pieces, 'You can tell someone's screen time from their outfit.' The more you're plugged into the matrix of microtrends, the more it bleeds into your everyday wear, along with styling tics like pairing soccer shorts with ballet flats. If being, as they say, extremely online has such a chokehold on the way we get dressed, what happens when you take the off-ramp? And is there really one? Phoebe Taylor, a YouTuber who has explored these questions in her videos, is, thematically enough, 'vacationing slightly off the grid' when we speak. But even before this sojourn, Taylor often used her channel to think through the intricacies of carving out personal style in a digital-first world. For example, the back-and-forth about male gaze fashion versus female gaze fashion, which she calls 'slut-shaming in a different font,' inspired a video about 'the demonization of sex in contemporary fashion dialogue' and how 'sexy' dressing has become vilified in online style discourse. 'The direction that fashion is going in right now, and I think is particularly a product of it being so online,' she says, 'is that so many of the trends that are considered fashion-forward are heavy in juxtaposition and contrast…almost purposefully incorrect things going together.' (Like the ballet flats with Umbros mentioned above.) That began as a way of proving oneself different from the herd, but now we see it replicated endlessly. Once, we went online to escape the normies around us; now those normies are living in our phones, inescapable. These days, Taylor says, she gets her inspiration from people who don't follow fashion, like 'an 80-year-old man who was in the ice cream line one night, a guy friend of mine who exclusively shops at Walmart and Goodwill and isn't doing the whole 'thrifting for cool trends' thing, and my neighbor in her 50s who has had the same wardrobe for 20 years.' Emulating those who are somewhat out of the loop has helped her feel freer to put clothes together intuitively, rather than shopping from an influencer's link. 'Being online also makes you scared to make certain fashion mistakes,' Taylor adds. 'It scares you away from wearing things because you don't want to be scrutinized by all these New Age fashion rules that are totally outdated ways of thinking about fashion, repackaged into modern dialogue.' Rather than lash themselves to the algorithm, many creators she knows are giving up the game, and 'using that as a reason to just make what they want anyway.' That said, it takes a lot for even an aspiring Luddite to completely disconnect from the contemporary style landscape. Even if you spend the summer touching grass, that online panopticon remains embedded in your brain. Not to mention that 'so much is trending right now that even purposefully avoiding trends is not necessarily going to lead you to your authentic personal style,' Taylor says. 'If you avoid all of them, you're still strategically trying to do something that you might not necessarily avoid if you weren't online at all in the first place. It's hard to find your authentic balance of, 'What trends actually would captivate me enough to want to participate in them if I weren't online, and which ones am I just participating in because I am online?' To disconnect yourself from it in order to be authentic, without also accidentally disconnecting too much to the point where it's not authentic.' If anyone figures out that calculus, let me know.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
I tried this TikTok weighted vest hack — and it's a game changer when it comes to building functional fitness
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. As a fitness editor, it's not often that I turn to TikTok for workout inspiration. I've seen plenty of fitness fads come and go, and I truly believe that the secret to long-term health and well-being is consistency. That said, one thing I haven't missed is the current weighted vest trend that's sweeping social media. Yet people aren't just wearing weighted vests to increase their calorie burn on daily walks (although read more about this in our rucking feature here), but while doing household chores to turn everyday activities into a workout. The TikTok trend involves wearing a weighted vest while doing everyday chores to increase functional fitness. When we talk about functional fitness, we're referring to exercises designed to mimic everyday activities, like lifting something down from a shelf or carrying a bag of shopping. By working on your functional fitness, you're less likely to experience falls and injuries, and you'll also likely improve your athletic performance as you strengthen the muscles in your body. To sneak in an extra workout, I grabbed a weighted vest and wore it during my everyday chores for a week — read on to find out what happened. As a reminder, if you're new to exercise or you're returning to exercise following an injury, it's always a good idea to check in with a personal trainer or doctor before taking on a new exercise routine. Physios don't recommend running or jumping while wearing a weighted vest if you're a complete beginner. It's important to build up to this slowly to ensure you're not putting your joints under too much stress. I tried this TikTok weighted vest hack — and it's a game changer Weighted vests are a relatively affordable piece of workout equipment if you're exercising at home. The beauty of a weighted vest if you can strap it on during walks and strength training sessions to increase the resistance on your body. This makes your muscles work harder, helping you to sculpt strong muscles and increase your calorie burn. I purchased this 12 lb weighted vest from Amazon, but there are plenty of different options on the market, with different weights available. When picking a weighted vest for your workouts, the general guidance is to start with a vest that is 5-10% of your current body weight. This is heavy enough to challenge your body, without putting too much strain on your joints and spine. A vest with adjustable weights is a great purchase, as it allows you to increase the load as you get stronger. Of course, if you don't have a weighted vest, you could always grab one of the best adjustable dumbbells and chuck it in a backpack. Just use a backpack that has a chest strap if possible. Here's what I noticed wearing my weighted vest for chores for the week: Going up and down the stairs was a lot Obviously, one of the main benefits of wearing a weighted vest is that, over time, you'll grow stronger muscles and improve your cardiovascular fitness. I live in an old Victorian cottage, and I found that when cleaning, I walk up and down the old, steep stairs multiple times. The addition of the weighted vest sent my heart rate soaring on each climb, and I realized that even without leaving the house, strapping on my weighted vest and walking up and down the stairs was a killer workout. The added weight forces your lungs to work harder, so over time, you can improve your cardiovascular efficiency and increase your VO2 max. This is really important to me as a marathon runner. I burned more calories on my dog walks Ok, so this is kind of cheating, as I did have to leave the house, but any dog owner will know that the twice-daily walks are a key chore you can't skip. I strapped my weighted vest on for my dog walks for a week and found, once again, my heart rate soared and I worked a lot harder than I usually would. That said, this wasn't too much of a challenge for me, as I've been effectively wearing a weighted vest for the past 18 months, as I often carry my son in a sling on dog walks. He's acted as the perfect adjustable dumbbell, as his weight has slowly increased month by month, giving my body a chance to adapt to the load. I had to think about my form when cleaning One thing I noticed immediately is how much I had to think about my core when picking up various baby toys and hoovering. The weighted vest challenges your body's center of gravity, so it's essential to keep your abdominal muscles engaged to stabilize your torso as you move. This meant my abs were getting a workout too, but again, start with a lighter weight to avoid putting any stress on your spine. My verdict after a week? I'm hooked. This was the perfect way to add little bursts of exercise to my daily routine — a phenomenon also known as exercise snacking. It made me realize how much of a workout cleaning already is, as I bent down and lifted objects above my head, unpacking shopping, or carried my hoover from room to room. If you're looking for an easy way to increase your daily calorie burn, TikTok has found it. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide I've been walking with a weight vest for 5K every day to help boost my metabolism — here's what happened to my body I worked out with a weight vest for a week — and it's a game changer I did 70 weighted push-ups every day for a week — here's what happened to my upper body
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
The 'No-Buy' Movement Is Axing Consumer Debt: How To Go The Extra Mile With Savings Accounts
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Open any social media app, and it seems like the algorithm has something to sell you. From Labubu dolls to matcha, trends are constantly popping up with a clear message to consumers: buy. Now, a counter-movement is gaining traction. 'De-influencers' and 'no-buy' trends are encouraging social media users to push back, skip the splurges and focus on tackling their debt and building savings. For personal finance content creator Rebecca Sowden, that shift has been both personal and public. On TikTok, she documents her no-buy journeys, inviting followers into the mindset shifts that have reshaped her relationship with money. Her inspiration came from two places: her husband, a 'super-saver,' and a growing unease about how quickly her spending habits were spiraling out of control. In 2024, she realized she was spending around $1,000 a month on shoes and clothing alone. Sowden committed herself to consistent no-buy periods for over a year, and is now eight months into her most recent no-buy sprint. Sowden isn't the only one to experience post-impulse shopping remorse— a 2023 Deloitte study found that 51% of Gen Zs and 43% of millennials say social media tempts them to buy things they cannot afford, based on responses from over 22,000 young adults across 44 countries. For Snowden, the payoff has been tangible: she's reached her savings goals faster, paid off her car with a $12,000 lump sum, and has reclaimed the time and energy she used to spend browsing for her next buy. 'When you're listening to the voices of people who are not interested in over-consuming, that naturally quiets the voices in your own head,' Sowden says. 'That's been the major brain shift—I wanted to quiet the amount of planning around purchases I was doing.' On top of her financial transformation, Sowden says her quality of life has improved, with more mental space to invest in hobbies and pet ownership, with the adoption of her dog. 'Now I take her to the park and sometimes I forget to bring my phone with me. I'll bring my journal and it's nice to touch grass,' Sowden says. Bill Shafransky, a certified financial planner and senior wealth advisor at Moneco Advisors, says the no-buy movement can be a powerful way to free up cash to pay off high-interest debt—especially credit cards. Once that debt is gone, Shafransky suggests contributing to money market accounts , a type of bank account that pays interest—often higher than a regular savings account—that also gives you access to your money with physical checks or a debit card. He adds that oftentimes, growing a savings cushion is often a better option than paying off low-interest debt, like a mortgage. 'It's better to keep that low-interest bearing debt because in most cases, you can get a higher rate of return by investing in, nowadays, a simple money market account,' Shafransky says. For first-time no-buy challengers, Sowden says don't be discouraged if it takes a few tries to stick. It took her several years of attempts before she could fully complete a no-spend sprint. Sowden's tips for no-spend success: Identify your 'why.' Having a clear motivation will help you stay on track. Having a clear motivation will help you stay on track. Take a hard look at your expenses. Separate wants from needs and create your budget around the essentials. Separate wants from needs and create your budget around the essentials. Set a realistic timeline for yourself. Start small with one or two weeks rather than jumping into a 6-month sprint. Start small with one or two weeks rather than jumping into a 6-month sprint. Track your wins. Celebrate milestones. Whether you've completed your first day or first month, taking note of your accomplishments will keep your momentum going. If you've used a no-buy sprint to pay down debt, you may eventually find yourself with extra cash. In that case, building a three-month emergency fund should be your first goal to give you a cushion against unexpected expenses. From there, you can decide next steps based on your financial goals. A few options aside from Shafransky's recommendation of money market accounts include: High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs): If you need a flexible savings option, HYSAs are for you. They boast interest rates much higher than the national average. Most allow penalty-free withdrawals, making them ideal for a growing emergency fund. For example, a $10,000 deposit in a HYSA with a 3.8% annual percentage yield (APY) would accrue $380 in interest over a year, or $38 a month. If you need a flexible savings option, HYSAs are for you. They boast interest rates much higher than the national average. Most allow penalty-free withdrawals, making them ideal for a growing emergency fund. For example, a $10,000 deposit in a HYSA with a 3.8% annual percentage yield (APY) would accrue $380 in interest over a year, or $38 a month. Certificate of Deposits (CDs): Long-term savings goals, like saving up to buy a car or house, will likely benefit more from a CD. They typically offer higher fixed rates than HYSAs but require money to be locked away in the account for a set term. Make sure the timeline fits your needs and check any withdrawal penalties before committing.
