Meat + Fruit = Fat Gain? Only If You Miss This Key Step
Why You’re Gaining Weight After Adding Carbs Back In — And What to Do About It
If you’ve transitioned from strict carnivore or keto to a more animal-based or fruit and meat way of eating — and you’re suddenly gaining weight — you’re not alone.
I hear it constantly:
"I feel better eating carbs… my sleep, mood, and strength are all up… but I’m gaining fat and I don’t know why."
Or:
"I stopped losing weight when I added fruit or honey back in. I’m bloated and inflamed again. What gives?"
This is where most people either panic and run back to carnivore, or they double down on fasting and under-eating. Neither works.
Let me break down what’s actually happening — and how to get out of the trap.
You Didn’t Get Fat From Carbs — You Got Fat From the Combination of Carbs + Fat
Our ancestors didn’t eat butter on fruit. They didn’t eat steak with a glass of milk and honey. That’s not a natural pairing. High fat and high carb together — especially in a body that’s been running on cortisol and ketones for years — is a perfect storm for metabolic chaos.
The reason you’re gaining weight now isn’t because you added fruit or sugar. It’s because your body is still running on fat metabolism mode — and you haven’t made the full metabolic shift.
If you’re eating like a hybrid engine — still pounding high fat meats and eggs while adding in OJ, honey, and tropical fruit — your body doesn’t know what to do. It gets stuck storing everything.
This is called the Randall Cycle, and it’s a real thing. Your body can burn either fat or carbs efficiently — but not both at the same time.
Step One: Choose a Fuel — and Commit to It
If you’re here, you already sense that carbs are not the enemy. You’ve seen the benefits. Now it’s time to go all in.
If you want to burn sugar for fuel — like most humans are designed to do — you need to lower your fat intake. Not eliminate it. Just get it to the right baseline: enough for hormones and bile flow, but not so much that it blocks carb metabolism.
This is the shift that most ex-carnivores never make. And it’s why they keep spinning their wheels. Your body wants to burn glucose… but you’re drowning it in fat.
Step Two: Don’t Cut Calories Until You’ve Rebuilt Metabolism
Here’s another trap: people start gaining weight with carbs, so they freak out and cut calories. They drop fruit, then cut fat, then drop everything. They end up back in low energy availability — sluggish thyroid, no libido, poor recovery, brittle nails, hormone crashes — and assume it’s just their “genetics.”
Wrong.
If you’ve been in keto or carnivore land for a long time, your body is in survival mode. You have to rebuild your metabolism before cutting. That means:
Eating enough calories (often 2200+ for women, more for men)
Prioritizing carbs from fruit, roots, juice, and honey
Keeping fat at a healthy low to moderate level (not 100g+ per day)
Supporting the thyroid, adrenals, and digestion
Moving your body — but not overtraining
Once your temps, pulse, cycle (if applicable), and sleep are rock solid — then we can talk about cutting.
Step Three: A Smart Cut — Not a Crash Diet
Once your body is out of fight-or-flight mode, a short, well-planned cut can be incredibly effective. This is where you get lean without wrecking your metabolism or losing muscle.
We do this by:
Keeping carbs high to fuel the thyroid and maintain output
Lowering fat to force the body to burn stored body fat
Getting enough protein to preserve lean mass
Walking, lifting, and using strategic movement to enhance fat loss without stressing the system
And we always have an exit strategy — a slow and intentional reverse that keeps metabolism humming and prevents rebound weight gain.
You’re Not Broken — You’re Just in Transition
If you feel like your body is broken after carnivore… it’s not. You’re just caught in a strange in-between phase — no longer in ketosis, not fully in carb-burning mode either. That’s why you feel stuck.
Most people just need someone who understands this phase — and can help them finish the transition.
That’s exactly what I do.
If you’re serious about healing your metabolism, balancing your hormones, and finally getting lean without wrecking your health — I’d love to work with you.
Ready to get started?
Reach out to apply for coaching, or join my newsletter where I break this all down weekly in a way that actually makes sense.
