One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that some people who follow vegan or plant-based diets can fall into the trap of promoting a one-size-fits-all approach to eating. As someone who loves and celebrates plant-forward meals, I completely understand the excitement around sharing the benefits of this way of eating. But it’s important to remember that what works beautifully for one person doesn’t always work for everyone.
This is especially true for people with plant food intolerance, a condition many have never heard of. For these individuals, vegetables, fruits and other plant-based foods can trigger severe digestive symptoms. They’re often left frustrated, wondering why supposedly “healthy” foods make them feel so miserable. For some, the only way they can feel well is by following what’s called the carnivore diet—an all-animal-foods approach that’s often misunderstood.
That’s why I want to break down why this happens, what these folks can actually eat, and why it’s so important to keep an open mind when we talk about nutrition.
What Is Plant Food Intolerance?
Plant food intolerance happens when the body struggles to digest certain fibers, carbohydrates or natural compounds in plants. For people with this condition, eating vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts or seeds can lead to severe digestive issues such as:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
Sometimes the symptoms are so extreme that people feel sick after just a few bites of plant-based foods. This often pushes them toward adopting a carnivore diet, which typically includes only animal-based foods like meat, fish, eggs and dairy—foods their bodies can handle without discomfort.
Why Some People Can’t Tolerate Plant Foods
There’s no single reason why people develop plant food intolerance, and it can show up in very different ways. Some experience mild discomfort, while others face symptoms so severe they disrupt daily life. What’s often most frustrating is that these reactions come from foods most people consider healthy. For some, the only solution that brings real relief is removing plant foods altogether.
A number of underlying conditions can play a role, including:
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine that ferments plant fibers and carbs, causing gas and bloating
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a chronic gut disorder that leads to pain, cramping and unpredictable digestion
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): chronic inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis that damage the gut lining
- Histamine intolerance or mast cell activation: conditions where plant-based foods trigger inflammatory responses
- Lectin or oxalate sensitivity: reactions to specific plant defense chemicals
In some cases, people also have enzyme deficiencies or genetic variations that make it difficult to digest plant carbohydrates. Others experience immune reactions due to cross-reactivity between plant proteins and pollen—known as Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome, which can cause itching, swelling and even gastrointestinal symptoms.
How Some People Thrive on a Carnivore Diet
When plant foods are no longer an option, the focus shifts to simple, nourishing staples that the body can handle without triggering symptoms. People who follow a carnivore diet for digestive health generally stick to:
- Meat: beef, lamb, pork, poultry
- Fish and seafood: salmon, sardines, mackerel, shrimp, scallops, oysters
- Eggs: chicken eggs, duck eggs, quail eggs—cooked any style (boiled, scrambled, fried)
- Animal fats: butter (preferably from grass-fed cows), tallow (beef fat), lard (pork fat)—used for cooking or added to meals
- Dairy (if tolerated): hard cheeses, heavy cream, ghee or other low-lactose options like aged cheeses
Some may be able to handle tiny amounts of very low-fiber or low-plant-toxin foods, such as:
- Peeled, seeded cucumbers
- Peeled, cooked zucchini
- Small portions of avocado
- Lettuce or leafy greens (sparingly)
- Fresh herbs like parsley or dill
I’ve worked with clients who, after removing most plants, were just relieved to sit down to a simple plate of eggs and steak without pain.
One client I supported alongside her healthcare team had an enzymatic deficiency and simply couldn’t break down plant carbs. No matter how healthy her diet looked on paper, she constantly battled bloating, pain and fatigue. When we transitioned her to an animal-based diet, her symptoms dramatically improved, and she was finally able to eat without fear.
Stories like hers are why I believe so strongly in personalized nutrition. For some people, carnivore isn’t a trend—it’s a lifeline. It’s not about rejecting plants but about reclaiming health. It really depends on the person, which is why individualized support is so key.
Recent studies have also explored the health outcomes and nutritional adequacy of the carnivore diet. A large survey study reported improvements in digestion and metabolic health among long-term carnivore eaters, while a nutrient analysis highlighted both the strengths and potential nutritional gaps of this approach.
It’s Not a Fad—It’s About Survival
While some people can reintroduce small amounts of plant foods, others find that their symptoms only stay away when they stick to a strict animal-based diet. This isn’t always an easy choice—and it’s definitely not about following a trend.
The carnivore diet has been gaining popularity in wellness and fitness spaces, often positioned as a performance or weight-loss strategy. But for people with plant food intolerance, this isn’t about trends or experimentation—it’s about survival.
A client once told me, “I don’t want to be the person who eats only meat—I just want to live without constant stomach pain.” That really stuck with me because it shows this way of eating is about survival, not trend-following.
They’re not rejecting the health benefits of vegetables out of stubbornness or hype. They’re managing a very real, often debilitating condition that affects their quality of life.
Can People on a Carnivore Diet Ever Eat Plants Again?
For some, the carnivore diet isn’t permanent—but for others, it’s the only long-term solution that works. Some people use a strict carnivore diet as a short-term elimination approach to calm inflammation and heal the gut. Over time, they may be able to reintroduce small amounts of plant foods through a carefully planned process—ideally under the guidance of a doctor or registered dietitian.
Others may find that their symptoms return as soon as they add plants back, meaning long-term or even lifelong carnivore eating becomes their best option.
Why This Conversation Matters
As someone who promotes plant-forward eating, I believe it’s critical to acknowledge that nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all. Digestive health, genetics, medical conditions and personal tolerance all shape what works best for each person.
Instead of assuming everyone should eat the same way, we can build a healthier conversation by approaching these differences with curiosity and compassion. That’s where true inclusivity in health and wellness begins.
A Note to My Vegan and Plant-Based Friends
I know many of you are passionate about the benefits of vegan and plant-based diets—and there’s so much good that comes from eating more plants. But it’s also important to recognize that for some people, plants just aren’t an option.
For those with plant food intolerance, the carnivore diet isn’t a statement against vegetables or veganism—it’s a way to manage their health and stay nourished. By respecting each other’s experiences, we create space for everyone to find the foods that work best for their bodies.
What We Can All Learn
Whether you follow a vegan diet, carnivore diet, Mediterranean diet or something in between, remember this: there’s no single “perfect” diet for everyone.
As That Salad Lady, I’m here to help you navigate nutrition in a way that’s personal, practical and empowering—whether that means building big, beautiful salads or finding the foods that keep you feeling your best.
Final Thoughts
If you or someone you know struggles with digestive issues or plant food intolerance, know this: you’re not alone, and you deserve support and understanding. In my experience as a healthy living coach, I’ve seen how life-changing it can be when someone finally finds a way of eating that works for them—even if it’s not what they or anyone else expected.
For the rest of us, this is a reminder to keep celebrating the power of plants while also honoring the reality that not everyone’s body thrives on them. That’s how we build a more compassionate, inclusive conversation about food and health.
Want more tips on personalized nutrition, gut health and meal prep? Stay tuned here at ThatSaladLady.com and follow me on social for realistic, evidence-based advice you can actually use.
