With a meat-only diet, what you’re automatically also doing is cutting out carbs, processed foods, and sugary treats. Restricting all of these can be beneficial when you’re looking to shed some pounds. Although, carbs are your body’s default source of energy, excess carb intake along with consuming highly processed foods and sugary treats can lead to weight gain.
Plus, with a meat-only diet, your body goes into a state of ketosis. Ketosis is when your body adjusts to a lack of its usual main source of energy — carbohydrates — and instead starts burning fat. When you have low glucose stores, your body breaks down fat and produces ketones, which take the place of glucose to become your main source of energy. One of the side effects of ketosis is a reduction in hunger which could be caused by increased consumption of satiating protein and fat and changes in your hunger hormones. When you’re full for longer periods of time, you’re also less likely to give in to cravings.
Protein also has a higher thermic effect, which basically means that it boosts your metabolism and helps you burn more calories. A diet rich in protein can also help you build muscle, especially when combined with physical activity, and the more muscle you build, the more fat you burn. However, sustained weight loss from this diet requires time, physical activity, and a healthy balance of protein versus fat.