Viral diets are dangerous – please proceed with caution.

As I was scrolling through social media in December 2022, I was shocked to see someone promoting what is called “The Lion Diet.” Immediately, I googled, “What is The Lion Diet?” The results weren’t too shocking. It was basically describing what a lion eats – sort of.

The Lion Diet consists of eating nothing but meat from ruminant animals like cows, goats, and sheep, water, and salt for 30 days. Needless to say, I was appalled. To top it off, the diet was going viral on TikTok.

As a registered dietitian, do not fall for this trend. In fact, avoid it at all costs!

The Problem With It

With any strict elimination diet, you run the risk of nutrient deficiencies. Variety is crucial in any diet to make sure your body is getting everything it needs. When you’re relying too much on a strict, unsustainable diet to solve your problems, you run the risk of never being able to get to the root cause of the health issues you’re trying to overcome (e.g., type 2 diabetes). If you stay on an elimination diet too long, like The Lion Diet, you run the risk of irreversible health complications from nutrient deficiencies. 

Sure, The Lion Diet can provide temporary relief from some health-related concerns. Many people are claiming that The Lion Diet has healed various health ailments. But similar to many other fad diets, the first few days or even weeks are like the honeymoon stage. Then shortly after, reality sets in. Your body goes from feeling pretty good to rejecting the way you’re feeding it. Humans are not meant to eat like lions. 

On the Lion Diet, you’re missing out on key nutrients like vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables. And you’re eating no fiber whatsoever, which can lead to constipation and a host of other GI and health concerns. Fiber plays an important role in maintaining good health. Fiber can help lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar regulation, create easy-to-pass bowel movements, and may prevent some cancers. Great sources of fiber are found in whole grains, whole fruits and vegetables, legumes, and nuts none of which are allowed on The Lion Diet.

Did we not learn anything from the 16th and 18th centuries when more than 2 million sailors were killed? They had no access to fresh food like fruits and vegetables and developed scurvy, a well-known preventable disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. There is no vitamin C in The Lion Diet. Lack of vitamin C can cause bleeding gums, loose teeth, anemia, and easy bruising. If left untreated, scurvy can be life-threatening.

The Long-Term Effects

I have yet to see any peer-reviewed literature to support the claims that the diet’s creator, Mikhaila Peterson is making. According to Mikhaila, who is a popular health and wellness podcaster, many people following The Lion Diet report putting their autoimmune disorders, digestive illnesses, and psychological problems into remission. Mikhaila developed The Lion Diet as an elimination protocol to help her better control her many chronic ailments.

I believe people have to do what they feel is best for themselves to heal. However, until there are robust studies to substantiate The Lion Diet, I would highly recommend people avoid going down this path. There are enough parallels in this diet to other literature-reviewed diets like Keto and Carnivore that causes great concern for long-term health. This is not a diet I would recommend to the general public.

There are much better ways to get to the root cause of your health concerns. The Lion Diet is not a long-term, healthy, sustainable answer. And there are plenty of verified, peer-reviewed diet and lifestyle changes that are proven to help clear up many of these common concerns.

Please avoid this trend. If you’re looking for a sustainable, long-term, healthful way of eating, I would encourage you to try something like The Mediterranean Diet. It’s a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes with the occasional meat. It remains one of the best diets known for its health benefits. It has been extensively studied and is recommended by many doctors and dietitians. The Mediterranean diet is sustainable and includes a variety of foods that your body needs to thrive. It can fit almost anyone’s needs and desires. 

As a dietitian, I would not recommend people to participate in The Lion Diet or any trending social media diet.