Years ago, I was 100% vegan.
And while I learned a lot, I also learned this:
👉 Extreme diets don’t work long-term for me.
So when I found carnivore and experienced many benefits, I made myself a promise:
I would not repeat the mistake of going all-in, no matter how good it felt at first.
That mindset alone is why I’m not 100% carnivore.
But over time, I discovered real physiological reasons—especially as a woman—why staying around 80% animal-based works better for me. Having thyroid issues already, the more I studied carnivore diets the less I felt that 100% would work for me.
Here’s why 👇
1️⃣ Very low carb can lower T3 (active thyroid hormone) 🦋
When someone stays very low carb for a long time, studies show T3 (triiodothyronine)—the active thyroid hormone—can decrease.
This doesn’t always mean the thyroid is failing.
It’s often a protective adaptation.
The body interprets prolonged carb scarcity as famine and lowers the metabolic “thermostat” to conserve energy.
Less glucose → lower metabolic demand → lower T3
You may notice:
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Feeling cold ❄️
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Lower energy ⚡
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Slower metabolism 🐢
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Less motivation or drive
2️⃣ Cortisol steps in when carbs are too low 😬
Without enough carbohydrates, the body leans on cortisol to keep blood sugar stable through gluconeogenesis (making glucose from protein).
Short-term? Fine.
Long-term? Not so much.
Chronically elevated cortisol can:
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Block T4 → T3 conversion
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Increase stress signaling
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Disrupt sleep 😴
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Stall fat loss
Many people on long-term very low carb feel “wired but tired.”
3️⃣ Reverse T3 can increase 🚫🦋
Low-carb adaptation can increase reverse T3, an inactive hormone that blocks T3 receptors.
So even if labs look “normal,” T3 may not be able to do its job.
This can mimic hypothyroid symptoms:
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Fatigue 😴
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Cold hands and feet 🧤
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Brain fog 🌫️
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Sluggish metabolism
4️⃣ Women are more sensitive to carb restriction 👩🦱
Women tend to be more sensitive than men to thyroid downshifting on very low carb diets.
From an evolutionary standpoint, a woman’s body may interpret carb scarcity as:
“Not a safe time to reproduce.”
The response?
Energy conservation.
That means:
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Lower thyroid output
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Reduced metabolic rate
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Hormonal ripple effects
This becomes even more important:
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During stress
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With intense workouts
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As we age
5️⃣ Carbs support leptin & metabolic signaling 🍠
Leptin is a hormone that tells your brain:
“We’re nourished. It’s safe.”
Very low carb can reduce leptin signaling over time, which can:
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Lower metabolism
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Increase fatigue
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Stall weight loss
Strategic carbs can help reassure the body that it’s not in survival mode.
6️⃣ Gut health & microbial diversity 🦠
While meat is incredibly nutrient-dense, some people do better with:
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A small amount of fermentable carbs
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Resistant starch
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Whole-food carbohydrates (berries and other fruit are my favorites - especially in yogurt)
These can support:
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Beneficial gut bacteria
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Regular digestion
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Reduced constipation (common on strict carnivore)
💡 How many carbs?
For many women doing well on ~80% carnivore:
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20–60g carbs/day works well
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Often best in the evening to support thyroid, cortisol, and sleep 😴
7️⃣ Sustainability matters 🧠❤️
I don’t want food to feel like:
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Fear
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Rigidity
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Perfection
I’ve been there before.
Including some carbs allows me:
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Flexibility
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Peace around food
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A diet I can maintain long-term
Healing shouldn’t feel like punishment.
My takeaway 💡
I’m not anti-carnivore.
I’m not anti-low-carb.
I’m anti-extremes and pro-metabolism.
For me, that looks like:
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🥩 Mostly animal-based
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🍓 Strategic, intentional carbs
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🔥 Better energy
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🦋 Better thyroid support
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😴 Better sleep
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💛 More balance
80% carnivore works better for my body than 100%.
And that’s wisdom—not weakness.
