Post Time: 2025-07-26
The numbers flashed on the screen, and I stared at them, a mix of disbelief and relief washing over me. My A1c was 5.9, and my fasting glucose read 114. Let’s just say, that wasn't what I expected when I embarked on the carnivore diet. For someone who has struggled with blood sugar issues, this was a revelation. I know what you’re thinking: a carnivore diet? How can that possibly help with blood sugar control? Isn’t it just bacon and steak? The answer is far more nuanced than you might think, and my personal experience shows that the seemingly extreme approach might be a powerful tool. Let's delve into what this means, and how I achieved these surprising results.
Understanding A1c and Fasting Glucose
Before we dive deeper into my carnivore experience, let's get clear on what these numbers actually mean:
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A1c: This test provides your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. The result is expressed as a percentage, and a lower number is generally better, showing stable, controlled blood sugar. A1c gives a good indication of long-term glycemic control. Anything below 5.7% is considered normal, 5.7% to 6.4% is prediabetic, and 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. So my A1c of 5.9% places me in that prediabetic range. I had been consistently over 6% before starting the carnivore diet, with the highest of 6.4% - my blood sugar was clearly trending downwards with this diet.
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Fasting Glucose: This is a snapshot of your blood sugar level after an overnight fast. It is measured in mg/dL. Generally, a fasting glucose level between 70 to 99 mg/dL is considered normal. 100 to 125 mg/dL is considered prediabetic. 126 mg/dL and higher can indicate diabetes. My fasting glucose of 114 also places me within the prediabetic range, but not as badly off. These numbers, especially when combined with the A1c, usually give doctors a good idea of blood sugar issues, and the two should be aligned.
| Metric | Normal Range | Prediabetic Range | Diabetic Range | My Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1c | < 5.7% | 5.7% - 6.4% | ≥ 6.5% | 5.9% |
| Fasting Glucose | 70-99 mg/dL | 100-125 mg/dL | ≥ 126 mg/dL | 114 mg/dL |
The standard medical community considers anything over a 5.7% A1c as indicating some type of blood sugar issue, and most doctors like to see an A1c consistently in the healthy range and well below the prediabetic stage. So these numbers are encouraging but show that I still have some work to do. But here’s the kicker—these numbers represent a massive improvement compared to where I was prior to embracing the carnivore way of eating.
My Journey to Carnivore: Why I Made the Switch
I’m like many people who have tried numerous dietary approaches, I started with low carb diets, then went on to Keto, to see if it would help with my general blood sugar management. I had heard murmurings about the carnivore diet but to me it seemed too restrictive and even crazy. But finally, desperate for a solution, I decided to experiment with the carnivore diet, which essentially cuts out everything except for animal products. I did this in large part due to research into what happens when we consume high-carb and high-sugar meals, and seeing how these food groups tend to increase blood sugar levels. I wondered if cutting out these groups would significantly impact my A1c.
Initially, I had concerns. What about fiber? What about essential nutrients? It’s an extremely narrow dietary framework, and many experts are quick to point out its limitations. However, it made logical sense in theory - by cutting out most if not all sugars and carbohydrates, my blood sugar would stabilize. The common belief in medicine that low-fat, high-carb diets will do the job is just not true, especially with people who have issues managing their blood sugar, such as type 2 diabetics, or people like me with prediabetic tendencies. So I set a personal target: go strict carnivore for 3 months, then have blood work done to check my A1c and other blood results.
What Did My Diet Look Like?
A typical day on my carnivore diet looked something like this:
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with bacon or a portion of leftover steak.
- Lunch: Ground beef patties with cheese or some salmon.
- Dinner: A ribeye steak, a large portion of pork chops, or roasted chicken.
I consumed primarily red meat (beef, lamb), fatty fish, poultry and eggs, along with smaller portions of organ meats. I supplemented with electrolytes but otherwise ate solely from the animal kingdom. No processed foods, no fruits, no vegetables, just pure meat.
How Carnivore Impacts Blood Sugar
I was astounded by the sheer impact that this way of eating had on my health. The science behind why a carnivore diet can have such a pronounced impact on blood sugar is quite fascinating.
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Elimination of Dietary Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the main source of glucose in the diet and contribute towards a rise in blood glucose levels. By eliminating the major source of glucose (most sugars are technically carbohydrates), you drastically reduce the glucose load your body needs to process.
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Increased Protein and Fat Intake: Both protein and fat, are known to induce satiety (make you feel full), which usually helps you eat less. By increasing the amount of protein and fat, you’re also better able to stabilize your blood glucose.
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Improved Insulin Sensitivity: In prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, cells become resistant to insulin, meaning they struggle to uptake glucose from the blood. This phenomenon increases blood sugar levels. While more studies are required, it has been reported that eliminating carbohydrates and excess sugars increases insulin sensitivity over time.
The Data Points: More Than Just Numbers
It's not enough just to share my A1c and fasting glucose numbers. It’s important to discuss what that means on a daily basis. The impact I experienced was not just about the numbers. Before the carnivore diet, I experienced periods of low energy after meals (as a result of insulin spikes and glucose crashes), I would also feel hungry all of the time, and find myself reaching for a high carbohydrate snack. I also had what I termed “carb cravings”, especially at night time. However, after embarking on this lifestyle, these issues completely disappeared, or diminished to negligible levels. Here’s a quick summary:
- Energy Levels: The carnivore diet provided sustained energy throughout the day without crashes. I wasn't constantly craving more food.
- Reduced Cravings: The near constant desire to eat carbohydrates was almost eliminated completely, and I didn't miss them at all.
- Weight Management: I was also losing some excess body weight in a sustainable and healthy way, and this also may have influenced my improved blood glucose.
- Improved Mental Clarity: I didn’t feel foggy or tired anymore, and had better mental clarity, as well as increased concentration.
What's Next?
While my A1c at 5.9% and my fasting glucose of 114 mg/dL are positive indicators, I’m not sitting back. This is about progress, not perfection. I’m continuing on with my carnivore journey because this way of eating is working for me. I also recognize that everyone's body responds differently. It is not something I recommend lightly. If you're considering a carnivore diet to control blood sugar issues or to improve your health, you need to do it correctly.
Key Recommendations If You Want To Explore The Carnivore Diet
- Consult a Healthcare Professional: Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to understand if the carnivore diet is safe and suitable for you, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
- Start Slowly: It can be difficult to eliminate such large food groups at once, so gradual reduction could work better for some individuals.
- Monitor Blood Sugar: Regularly check your blood glucose levels, especially when you are starting out.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how you feel and adjust the diet as necessary.
- Consider Electrolytes: Electrolyte imbalances are known to occur, so this is a key consideration.
The carnivore diet, while unconventional, gave me the best results I have ever seen in managing my blood sugar. My experience proves that when it comes to health and diet, you need to try new approaches to see if they will be effective for you. Always listen to your body and use common sense, rather than adhering blindly to the “health recommendations” from established medical and media professionals. The science of nutrition is not as clear cut as they often make it seem.
In conclusion, if you're dealing with similar struggles, perhaps an experimental shift in your dietary approach could be what you need, but remember it is something that requires a large dose of research, and should not be taken lightly.
According to the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), 415 million people globally are diagnosed with diabetes, and a death due to diabetes is recorded every six seconds. The current treatments of diabetes blood sugar is higher than normal can at times lead to complications such as hypoglycemia, which can be life-threatening. In addition, a sedentary lifestyle and higher BMI can lead to obesity and blood sugar level 95 add to the complexities of diabetes by rendering further insulin resistance. Join an exclusive session with the Care Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), where expert endocrinologists and diabetologists will share their insights on “Approach to Hypoglycemia and Medical Management of Obesity” on 23rd Sept 2021, 3 PM onwards. Speakers: Dr. Shrikant Somani: Hypoglycemia: Case-Based Approach Dr. Prem Narayanan: Lifestyle & Medical Management of Obesity Stay tuned does doxycycline raise blood sugar for this exclusive session!