United States. "Carnivore Babies": What's This Trend That's Worrying Health Professionals?

To hell with jars of vegetables, compotes , and other breast milk substitutes... Make way for meat, all the meat, nothing but meat. "Carnivore babies " have, despite themselves, become the latest trend on social media. On TikTok and Instagram, many American parents are extolling the virtues of a meat-only diet for their infants, with videos to back it up. Their offspring, often under two years old, can be seen chewing heartily on pieces of chicken, beef ribs, or even leg of lamb, sometimes straight from the bone.

And the practice doesn't stop there, with its supporters going so far as to promote offal, beef fat, and steak tartare in their children's diets. With the stated intention of not including the slightest trace of fruit, cereals, or legumes in the diet, for supposedly optimal infant development. "Carnivore babies" are thus said to be less sick, more precocious, and more resourceful.

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On TikTok, one internet user gives a supposedly glowing assessment of the method applied to her child for six months: "He accomplishes things before other babies, is never constipated, has never needed to go to the doctor, has no allergies, is strong and tall, very calm and happy, and walks confidently at 10 months," she lists.

Before spreading to younger people, the so-called ketogenic diet initially gained followers among adults, particularly those looking to lose weight. The main advantage is the low carbohydrate intake and the elimination of foods high in sugar and calories. Some also claim to have better digestion and greater clarity of mind. The latter is likely a placebo effect, as a varied diet remains the sine qua non for good health.

"There's no benefit to eating only meat," counters dietitian-nutritionist Alexandra Murcier. "There's very rapid weight loss at first, but weight regain later. That's the principle behind high-protein diets. And there's a risk of kidney failure. In the long term, eating too much meat also increases the risk of digestive cancer, so it's not necessarily very beneficial."

What may not be very beneficial for adults can be downright harmful for children. "The protein needs of young children are not very high. If they have an exclusively meat-based diet, it could pose problems in terms of meeting their vitamin needs. They will inevitably be deficient in certain things, particularly essential fatty acids, which are essential for growth and the functioning of their bodies," adds Alexandra Murcier. "Beyond that, too high a protein intake for young children also increases the risk of obesity in the long term."

Authorities and health professionals recommend giving meat to infants only from six months of age, and at a rate of 10 grams per day. Before that, breast milk or infant formula should remain the only food, with the gradual introduction of solid foods— compotes, vegetable purées, infant cereals —around four months. Quite the opposite of what these viral videos advocate.

"Even an adult should only eat red meat twice a week, about 300 grams," reminds Alexandra Murcier. "White meat can be eaten a little more, but you should try to alternate it with fish and eggs. Ideally, people who are not vegetarian should have a ratio of 50% animal protein and 50% plant protein over the week."

At the risk of developing nutritional deficiencies, an excess of animal fats and even sodium can lead to kidney, coronary, or cardiovascular diseases. What's not good for mom or dad is even worse for baby. Especially since the baby is more exposed to the infectious risks of undercooked or uncooked animal proteins, and for whom a diet entirely based on meat hinders the development of a healthy intestinal microbiota.