Carnivore Diet? I’m Vegan, But I Still Don’t Hate Paul Saladino

Vegan Vs. Carnivore: Finding Common Ground in Our Goals

Paul Saladino, love him or hate him, is one of the most controversial figures in the world of nutrition and diet. As someone who follows whole food, plant-based diet and advocates for the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, I get asked a lot about my thoughts on him. Naturally, the expectation is that, as a vegan, I should despise him, slam his existence, and reject everything he promotes. After all, many people in my community—ranging from average folks to doctors and nutritionists—feel the same way. But here’s the thing: I don’t agree.

While I don’t like his messaging and I certainly don’t believe in a carnivore-based diet, my take on Saladino isn’t as one-dimensional as others might expect. Yes, I have strong objections to some of the advice he gives, and I certainly think his approach to nutrition is problematic in many ways. However, I try to separate my personal beliefs from my ability to evaluate his views objectively. The fact is, there’s more to the story than just “I disagree, therefore I hate.”

The Carnivore Code – Is It Really the Answer?

First, let’s start with what I actually don’t like about him. Paul Saladino is known for promoting the carnivore diet, which encourages people to eat exclusively animal-based foods, often including raw meat. He wrote The Carnivore Code, a book that, while controversial, has garnered a large following. His stance on raw foods and bioavailability of nutrients is also a point of contention. He claims that eating raw meat is the ultimate way to consume nutrients, but when he personally tried it, he experienced health issues—like heart palpitations from consuming only raw meat. Go figure, right?

This highlights a significant contradiction in Saladino’s messaging: he preaches the benefits of the carnivore diet, yet he himself had to back away from it due to the negative health effects. This leaves me questioning the sincerity and safety of the advice he promotes. I find it harmful, not just to the individual’s health but to the environment as well. The practice of eating exclusively animal products and promoting such diets is not just unsustainable for the planet, it also contributes to animal suffering and exploitation.

The Contradictions and Cherry-Picking Data

He’s also been caught in a lot of contradictions. Saladino frequently criticizes studies on rats or other animals, dismissing them as irrelevant to human health. However, in the same breath, he’ll use studies on rats to cherry-pick data that supports his carnivore diet narrative. This is a classic example of confirmation bias at its finest. And despite his insistence that animal-based diets are the answer to human health, the science simply doesn’t back up many of his claims.

Now, you might be wondering why I, as a vegan, don’t just outright hate the guy. That’s a fair question, and here’s my answer: while our diets and worldviews couldn’t be more different, I don’t let that drive my opinion of him. Paul and I share a common goal—better health outcomes for people. We both want to see obesity rates decline, cancer and diabetes rates reduce, and people overall living healthier, happier lives. His approach is focused on animal-based nutrition, while mine is rooted in plant-based choices. But at the end of the day, we both want to see people thrive and improve their health, even if we have drastically different methods for achieving it.

The Entertainment Factor – Is It All Just an Act?

I also have to acknowledge that he’s not all bad. Yes, his content often crosses the line into ridiculousness, with wild claims that have no scientific backing, and yes, sometimes his antics make me roll my eyes. Take his recent animal-based watermelon and animal-based pasta—seriously? But despite the absurdity, he’s undeniably entertaining to watch. I’m not going to lie, his videos often make me laugh out loud. He plays up the drama and controversy to get attention—similar to figures like Liver King. But let’s be honest, the guy’s clearly an actor. His over-the-top persona is designed to keep people hooked, and it’s working. He’s built a massive following largely because of his sensationalist content.

When it comes down to it, I think Paul Saladino is likely a decent guy. He probably has a laid-back, easygoing personality when the cameras are off, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s down to earth in person. I mean, let’s be real: the “Where do you get your choline from in the supermarket?” act isn’t something that’s probably coming up in regular conversations at home. He’s playing a character for his audience—an exaggerated version of himself to attract attention. And while I don’t agree with many of the views he promotes, I have to admit that his content is a lot of fun to watch, if only for the entertainment value.

A Common Goal – Different Paths, Same Destination?

I know some people in my circle really despise him. They look at his messaging and find it to be dangerous, irresponsible, and downright harmful. And in many ways, I agree. I think his carnivore diet promotes an unsustainable, unhealthy lifestyle, and it harms both individuals and the environment. But to outright hate the guy? I can’t do that. He’s just another person with a different perspective, and despite how extreme his views may be, he’s entitled to them.

Ultimately, I want to see the world shift toward a healthier, more sustainable food system—one that prioritizes plant-based, whole foods. That’s where I stand, and I believe that’s the way forward for both human health and the planet. But that doesn’t mean I have to demonize people who disagree with me. Yes, Paul Saladino and I have different visions for the future, but I can still respect that we both want what’s best for human beings.

So, love him or hate him, Paul Saladino is going to continue to make waves. His messaging will continue to be controversial, and his claims will keep getting disproven by science. But that doesn’t mean he’s not worth watching—if only for the entertainment value. And if you take away the theatrics and the camera, you’re left with a guy who probably just wants to see people get healthier, even if his approach is drastically different from mine.

In the end, I don’t agree with his ideas, but I don’t have to hate him either. His content is a show, and I’m not mad at that. Just because we disagree doesn’t mean we can’t coexist, each pushing our own narratives in an effort to help people lead better lives.

Peace & Plants

Callum Weir