Meat-only diets for babies are gaining traction online—here’s what parents need to know

In a growing online movement, some parents are feeding infants and toddlers almost entirely animal-based foods—steering clear of pureed fruits, vegetables, and grains. Parents like Dariya Quenneville and Lorraine Bonkowski feed their children raw egg yolk, chicken liver, sardines, butter, bone broth, rib-eye, and other meat-heavy fare, citing improved sleep, digestion, and temperament. These trends are propelled by social media circles—YouTube doctors, Facebook groups like “Carnivore Motherhood,” and influencers touting animal-based nutrition and skepticism of traditional baby food aisles. 

Why experts are raising red flags

Pediatricians and dietitians warn that such restrictive, meat-only approaches leave out critical nutrients:

• Vitamin C (vital for growth, cartilage, and immune function) and fiber (crucial for healthy digestion and gut microbiome development) are notably absent from meat-heavy diets. 
• Steven Abrams, professor of pediatrics at Dell Medical School, emphasizes that while meat offers iron, zinc, and protein in highly absorbable forms, a broader diet is essential:
  “Eating a broad diet when young makes it more likely kids will eat that way when they’re older. And children need the fiber, antioxidants and polyphenols in fruits and vegetables.”
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends introducing solid foods around 6 months and exposing babies to a wide variety of healthy foods and textures to foster long-term healthy eating habits.
• The AAP also advises that, while supplements like vitamin D may be needed, healthy children receiving a normal, well-balanced diet generally do not need additional vitamin supplementation beyond RDA levels.

Nutrition gap: What science tells us about fiber and variety

• A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains significantly improves intake of fiber, vitamins (such as B6), minerals (like magnesium, iron, and potassium), and enhances overall diet quality in young children. PMC
• Health guidelines—such as Canada’s Food Guide—advise offering toddlers a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein-rich foods in various textures to ensure adequate fiber and balanced nutrition. Government of Canada

Why parents are drawn to carnivore-style approaches

1. Distrust of modern baby food—Criticism of sugary, overly processed purees and convenient pouches fuels desire for “real” foods.
2. Influencer persuasion—Doctors and wellness personalities promote meat-based diets, often under the guise of ancestral tradition or “biologically appropriate” nutrition.
3. Simplified messaging—An approach like “animals eat meat, so babies should too” feels intuitively straightforward to some parents.

What every parent needs to keep in mind

The growing trend of “carnivore babies” is fascinating—but until long-term health data emerge, the expert consensusremains: toddlers need a balanced, varied diet to support growth, development, and lifelong healthy eating patterns. A meat-only model may work for some adults, but for babies—whose brains, bodies, and microbiomes are rapidly developing—balance isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.