My Gut Health Journey: Low-Carb, Keto, and Carnivore
Over the years, I’ve tried a bunch of different eating styles—mostly out of a need to improve my health, especially my gut. I’ve dealt with IBS and ongoing digestive issues for what feels like forever, and food has always been the biggest trigger. That’s what led me down the path of experimenting with diets like low-carb, keto, and eventually carnivore.
Each one brought something valuable to the table (no pun intended), and helped me learn more about what my body actually needs to feel good. Here’s a breakdown of the three main eating styles I tried and what they did for my gut health and energy.
Low-Carb: The First Big Shift
Going low-carb was my first real step in changing the way I ate and noticing a big difference. I had way more energy throughout the day, no more crazy sugar crashes, and my digestion started to calm down a bit. Cutting back on carbs helped stabilize my blood sugar, which in turn seemed to reduce some of the bloating and discomfort I was feeling. It was the first time I felt like my body was actually working with me instead of against me.
Keto: Clearing the Fog
Next up was keto. This one really stood out for the mental clarity it gave me. I used to deal with brain fog feeling mentally off but once I was in ketosis, that completely lifted. On top of that, eating higher-fat meals helped me feel full for longer, so I wasn’t constantly thinking about food or snacking. This gave my gut more time to rest and digest and repair. It also naturally led me into doing more intermittent fasting, which I found gave my digestion even more of a break.
Carnivore: The Gut Reset I Didn’t Know I Needed
Now let’s talk about the most intense one, carnivore. I went full carnivore when my IBS symptoms were at their worst, bloating, cramping, food sensitivities, you name it. I was reacting to everything and honestly just felt miserable. I chose carnivore because I needed something drastic to give my digestive system a total reset. It wasn’t easy, but within days I started noticing a huge difference. My bloating was gone, my stomach felt calm, and I finally felt like I had control over my gut health again. It’s basically the ultimate elimination diet, and for me, it really worked.
Final Thoughts: Listen to Your Gut (Literally)
If you’re struggling with IBS or chronic digestive issues, I can’t recommend experimenting with your diet enough. Each of these approaches, low-carb, keto, and carnivore all helped me understand my body better and played a role in improving my gut health. I’d say try one for 3–4 weeks and see how your body responds. Keep track of your symptoms and energy levels. Everyone’s different, but sometimes the smallest change can make a massive difference.