The Primal Bod Diet. What Is It? And Does It Work?
The Primal Bod Diet. Is it Keto? Is it Carnivore?
Do you feel like you’ve tried every diet under the sun?
And everyone is promising you results, claiming they’ve found the ultimate answer to weight loss?
So it’s fair to think: Is the Primal Bod diet just another trend that will fade away soon and can it even deliver what it promises?
I asked myself this and wondered: Will the Primal Bod program work for me?
Will it finally get results and is it worth investing in the program? Paying all this money to maybe just find out to eat more meat?
Far from it.
If you’d like to get a sneak peak into the program, please download my FREE Primal Bod PDF here.
What Is the Primal Bod Diet?
The Primal Bod diet is very unique in itself and in some ways it’s a little keto and it is a lot of carnivore but with a twist.
This way of eating combines the wisdom of nature with science and experience - the reason why the Primal Bod diet works and is sustainable for anyone.
It is in harmony with our ancestral DNA. I don’t even want to call it a diet because it rather is a lifestyle - let’s call it living primal, how we were meant to live.
Candi says that our bodies are primal, but our lifestyle is not. That is why we are facing all these health issues. Our bodies were never designed to fit into our modern lifestyle.
As Candi would say: “We don’t dictate the rules, nature does.”
The Primal Bod diet is not only about WHAT you eat but also about HOW MUCH you eat and at WHAT TIMES of the day you eat.
Our bodies are governed by hormones and in order to thrive, we need to eat and live in accordance with these hormones. Our bodies run on a circadian clock in harmony with the sun and we need to honour this clock if we want to be healthy.
I can only tell you that you’ll love this way of eating. It’s simple, it’s easy and most importantly it is nourishing your body, giving your body exactly what it needs at the right time in the right amounts.
Everyone will respond a little different when first joining Primal Bod. We all come from different environments, food- and lifestyle- wise.
I ate a plant-based diet. The only animal products I consumed were the butter on my sourdough bread, the eggs in the cakes I was baking and the parmesan on my pasta with the occasional bite of chicken…
When I started eating Primal-Bod-Style, it was like a light got switched on. I had so much energy and clarity of mind, and all my aches went away within days.
I quickly realised: I wasn’t struggling with perimenopause, I was deficient in major nutrients, under-eating and I was denying my body what it needed to function properly.
I know many women who have had success with the Primal Bod diet when suffering from PCOS.
Foods Allowed on the Primal Bod Diet
The Primal Bod diet is all about fueling your body.
As soon as you start the Primal Bod Program, you will download the Fuel Guide.
This is a clear overview of the exact foods you will be able to eat. How have these foods been chosen? They are highly nutritional, bioavailable and they are fuel for your body. The recommended foods will cover all your nutritional needs so your body can function perfectly, bringing all your hormones into balance. Primarily, these are foods our ancestors have been eating for thousands and thousands of years with some modern-day-life additions.
On the Primal Bod diet, all meats are allowed, they are the star of the show, they will be the highlight on your plate. When we talk about meat, we mean meat, fish and eggs. There are kinds of meat that are preferable over others.
One of the major differences between a carnivore diet and the Primal Bod diet is that Primal Bod does not recommend high fat. I see it a lot in the program when women come in who have been eating carnivore before and following the advice of the carnivore doctors to eat high fat. They share that they hit a plateau and then in Primal Bod were able to lose the extra weight they couldn’t get rid of on carnivore. You will know exactly which kind of fats are good for you and modern-day additions are certain vegetables, fruits, condiments and flavourings.
With all these choices you will be able to cook up a fancy gourmet meal or have a simple and quick yet nourishing one. You can make the Primal Bod diet as fancy or as plain as you like. All your senses will definitely be satisfied and most importantly, your body and mind will feel satiated and well-nourished.
Certain types of dairy can be consumed in condiment sizes. Candi calls dairy the carnivore carb and consuming higher amounts of dairy will make you lose weight slower. Certain dairy products can be eaten as an occasional treat and some people may need it to raise their blood sugar in rare cases, something we usually try to avoid.
In order to build up a healthy gut, we make sure to eat fermented foods with our meats. Gut health is a big focus in the Primal Bod program.
I think Primal Bod was the first time in my life that I gave my body what it needed - and it shows. It’s kind of funny, I’ve never received so many compliments as I am receiving now at the age of 46. Who would have thought you can get older and more vibrant?!
What Can I Drink on the Primal Bod Diet? Can I Drink Coffee on Primal Bod?
Water is your best friend. I like to pimp mine with some lime or lemon, or kvaas. Some sparkling water is fine and there are certain teas that are allowed on the Primal Bod Diet, the ones with low oxalates. It was so fascinating to learn all of these things during the program.
I had no idea that all the foods I thought were healthy were actually the cause of my struggles. Most plants look good on paper but once they enter your body, they can do a lot of harm.
I thought I was making a healthy choice drinking almond milk chai. Almonds and black tea are foods are extremely high in plant toxins. And when you consume plants in liquidized form, they do even more harm. This knowledge was life-changing for me and explained a lot of my previous ailments.
Oh, and not to forget, the coffee talk. You can check out my FAQs on this topic. Candi rather have you not drink coffee as it can slow down your weight loss. Coffee is a constant topic in Primal Bod. We are all addicted to it, aren’t we? I must honestly say that I feel much better when I don’t drink coffee.
🎁I share more on coffee in my Primal Bod Success Ebook that I send everyone who signs up to Primal Bod via any of my links & discount code 🎁
The Core Principles of the Primal Bod Diet
Focus on whole foods
In Primal Bod, just like our ancestors did, we eat food with one ingredient, with a few exceptions of some sauces that can be used as condiments. No protein shakes or smoothies. We were never meant to drink our food, it’s part of our convenience culture, which, in my opinion, plays a big role in why we are all feeling so unhealthy.
Eating at the right time of the day
In Primal Bod, you learn when your body is most insulin sensitive, so choosing your eating times accordingly is important. Insulin is the main player to watch and master when you want to lose weight and it strongly influences many of your other hormones. Primal Bod teaches you to eat in harmony with your inner circadian clock, how nature intended it to be.
If you’ve been struggling with poor sleep, not eating late in the day is one new habit that will totally transform your life (and health). In Primal Bod, you are not only told what to do, you learn the science behind it. For example, when you eat late, your body will produce insulin, and insulin will be in the way of melatonin to come out, the hormone that helps you have good sleep. One piece in the hormone puzzle that Primal Bod will solve for you.
So many women suffer from hormone imbalances. We are told that it’s our declining sex hormones. But what if you could ‘fix’ your hormones through diet and lifestyle? This is what you’ll learn in Primal Bod. I’m so grateful I won’t have to take hormones but rather learned how to support my body to produce the right amounts so I can feel my best.
Taking hormones implies that our bodies were not built perfectly. In Primal Bod, you will learn that it’s not your body that is insufficiently designed, it’s your environment that screws it all up. Your body is perfect, you just have to put it in the right environment through the right diet and lifestyle choices.
Eating the right amounts of food
During your weight loss journey, you will learn that there are small, medium and large meals you can have which correspond with what your body needs at certain moments. Primal Bod is a hands-on process that teaches you to listen to your body by measuring your ketones. You’ll know exactly what your body is doing at any given moment and then you can decide how much you need to eat. We all have different metabolisms when we come into the program and being able to determine what YOUR body needs is the reason this program works for everyone. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. You will be able to determine for yourself how much food your personally need.
And that is why Primal Bod is so sustainable. Candi will not give you a fish, she will teach you how to fish. You will receive guidelines and you get to experience what is best working for yourself.
Instead of looking only at the amount of food we eat, we look at the amount of protein that our bodies require in order to burn more of our stubborn fat. Sometimes you need more protein, sometimes less. You’ll learn all about it, it’s so fascinating. The same goes for movement. You’ll figure out exactly what your personal exercise routine will be.
This is one of my favourite parts of the program: we truly get to know our bodies and Candi and her coaches are just a question away when we get stuck. They will answer all your questions in the FB group or live on the coaching calls. Even if our bodies are at different stages when we enter the program, they all run on the same biological and chemical principles. Sometimes, we do need a little personal fine-tuning and Candi and the coaches will help you with this and they make sure you reach your weight loss goals. Find out about why Primal Bod works so well here.
This video shows a large meal of the Primal Bod diet.
3 Benefits of the Primal Bod Diet (There Are Many More)
Consistent Weight Loss
I can speak for myself and for the testimonies of other women in the Primal Bod community. If you follow Candi’s advice to a T, she promises that you will lose 20 pounds within 6 weeks or faster if you have to lose it. The average weight loss is 29 lbs in 12 weeks (of women who had at least 20 lbs to lose).
I know of a woman in the group who lost 52 lbs in 12 weeks. Primal Bod works whether you have to lose a lot or a little.
Before starting Primal Bod, I was basically binge watching all of Candi’s reels on Instagram and I started following people she recommended. Alone from that, I already lost 8 pounds within the first 2 weeks. I lost another 9.5 pounds after I started the program and I can say that I am keeping the weight off easily.
For some people it’s a quick journey to their goal weight, for others it takes longer. Just think of how long it took you to gain the weight. Don’t expect miracles, you still need to follow through and stay consistent, but when you do, you’ll get to experience moments of awe and disbelief when you look in the mirror, step on the scale or try on a pair of jeans you haven’t worn in years. Candi will take you by the hand and make sure you’ll reach the physique you desire and at which your body feels its best.
You can read about the results I achieved from the Primal Bod program here.
Many women will not be at their goal weight after the 12 weeks, and that is totally fine and normal. You will know exactly what to do to keep going and you can also join the monthly membership The Babes in which you keep access to the online course material plus have your own FB group and weekly coaching calls with Candi.
Natural Muscle Gain
Before starting Primal Bod, I ate close to zero protein. I had started to listen to some influencers on Youtube and was getting some awareness about how important protein intake is, especially when you hit your 40s. I started eating plant based protein but wasn’t really seeing results with this approach. Plant protein looks good on paper but is not enough nourishment for your body. Plant protein is not as bioavailable as animal protein and it contains a lot of anti-nutrients.
Once on the Primal Bod diet, I gained lean muscle mass and was able to build muscle more easily. On the one hand by eating protein but also by eliminating a good portion of visceral fat which inhibits muscle gain. I love that I don’t need to go to the gym as the Primal Bod program shows you exactly how to gain muscle with minimal effort and time commitment. Of course, you can absolutely go to the gym but I just want to let you know you can be absolutely successful with building muscle without becoming a gym rat. I do all my workouts outside or in my house. Totally doable.
Read more about the optimal exercise that will help you with losing weight over 40 here.
Perimenopause Symptoms Disappear On Primal Bod
In my early 40s, I started to notice that my body wasn’t the one I used to have and it was acting up all of a sudden. I was eating and exercising the same way, but suddenly, my body changed - to the worse. I was getting chubbier all over, experienced poorer sleep, blurry vision, stiffness upon waking up, joint pain, energy dips all the time, dull hair and skin, the list goes on…
Sound familiar?
I’ve written about surprising reasons you are not losing weight here.
We are made to believe that these are ‘normal’ signs of perimenopause. Funnily enough, those are very similar symptoms you have when developing insulin resistance. Isn’t that interesting? Mastering insulin is at the core of the Primal Bod program, no wonder that once I had my insulin in check, all the ‘perimenopause symptoms’ went away and have never come back.
Use code NINAPRIMALBOD to save $100 and get my Primal Bod Success Pack as a gift.
Common Misconceptions About the Primal Bod Diet
It’s Simply Eating Meat
It’s not that simple. The Primal Bod diet is not a carnivore diet. It can be but there are certain foods that are not carnivore that are highly recommended to eat. The Carnivore diet can also be very fat-heavy which the Primal Bod diet is not. As I mentioned above, there are many women coming into the program who have been eating a carnivore diet before but weren’t able to lose the weight and also not feeling their best.
Candi understands exactly why that is and will teach this in Primal Bod. She truly is the THE weight loss expert that knows how to push through any plateau you may be experiencing. And even better, once you’ve been through the course material, you’ll understand why you’ve not been able to lose weight, even on a carnivore diet.
It’s Just Keto
Far from the truth. There is a lot of food that is part of the keto diet that the Primal Bod diet does not include. On a keto diet, you can still have a lot of glucose spikes making you over-produce insulin. The Keto diet is also heavy on snacks and plants that are high in plant-toxins. Once you understand how to truly fuel your body and know how insulin works, you won’t feel the need to snack anymore.
The key of the Primal Bod diet is to burn glucose and ketones at the same time. You can eat the Keto diet and still head towards insulin resistance. People also face too low insulin on keto when they eat too little protein and too much fat. Eating a keto diet doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be in ketosis, where in Primal Bod, everything is geared for you to be in ketosis and by measuring your ketones, you’ll know exactly whether you are in ketosis and how deep. No more hoping and guessing but knowing and understanding.
It’s Very Restrictive
It really depends where you are coming from. Yes, there are a lot of foods you won’t eat anymore once you switch to the Primal Bod diet, but honestly, when you know how most plants affect your body, you won’t want to eat them. I have never before experienced such high energy levels and mental clarity and focus. The Primal Bod diet is not restrictive in my eyes, it fuels my body like no other diet and there is no way I’ll ever go back to my old ways of eating.
I am eating to live now, not living to eat.
I truly enjoy eating the Primal Bod diet. I don’t abuse food to bring me joy and comfort like I did before. Food is meant for fuel, just like the fuel you put in your car. It’s not the fuel that makes you happy while driving, it is the drive itself. It’s your life that should bring you pleasure and when you are healthy and energised, you’ll enjoy life.
In the end, you choose your restrictive. Being over-weight, having brain fog and poor sleep, not to mention the back pain I was experiencing - that was restrictive to me. Eating a diet that makes me feel (and look) amazing is very liberating.
It’s Expensive
This is not necessarily true. You can eat the Primal Bod diet on all different levels. Yes, conventional minced meat is cheaper than a grass-fed steak. Of course, it’s better to eat grass-fed and -finished meat, but you do what’s possible for you. Honestly, adapting the Primal Bod lifestyle, which is more than simply a diet, I save a lot of money in other areas of my life which I can then spend on high-quality meats. I don’t need to buy expensive supplements anymore to make sure my body is well-nourished. My doctor bills are and will be much less. You invest in yourself today and you will save in the future. When you eat the Primal Bod diet, you give your body what it needs and it will return the favour with sustained health.
It’s a question of priorities. My health is my priority. Healthy people have many dreams, sick people only have one. I don’t need fancy vacations, cars, clothes or beauty treatments. I put my money where it will yield the biggest return: my health. If I don’t have health, I have nothing, really.
Final Thoughts on the Primal Bod Diet
The Primal Bod diet is a win-win. It will help you lose weight quickly that stays off and it will give you sustained health. What I love most about the Primal Bod diet and the Primal Bod lifestyle is that Candi teaches you the WHY behind all of it. Once you understand why you are eating something or not, it stays with you and you cannot unlearn it. The information you learn becomes second nature and there is no way I am ever going back to eating the old way.
I have no craving and I feel I have been released from food prison where the food used to be so loud and dictated how I felt.
In Primal Bod, food is used to support our bodies to function their best. The food is still delicious, don’t get me wrong. I feel like a gourmet now, only eating clean, high quality food that nourishes and sustains me throughout the day with no energy dips. My mind is sharp and my body supports me day in and day out. I wake up energised, I can focus on my tasks and I can simply enjoy life because I support my body and my body supports me right back.
The Primal Bod diet is the proper human diet, the diet we are meant to eat.
Once you understands how your body truly works and what it truly needs, weight loss will come easily.
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