I Ate Carnivore in the UK- Here's What Shocked Me
In a Nutshell
US carnivore eaters found the UK superior for meat-based diets due to stricter regulations: UK bans growth hormones in beef, artificial food dyes, and single-use plastics while offering higher-quality cheese and fewer ultra-processed food options. They observed fewer obese people, calmer social interactions, and government policies prioritizing health over corporate profits, though they noted UK roads are dangerously narrow and fast food is scarce. The hosts conclude UK-style regulations represent meaningful public health improvements worth considering in the US.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
The video opens with the hosts expressing surprise that carnivore eating is better in the UK versus the US. They are in the UK to screen Healing Humanity: The Power of a Proper Human Diet. Approximately 100 people attended the screening in the UK. The film is scheduled to screen in Indianapolis the following Monday, with additional screenings planned across the Midwest, Southwest, Northwest, Washington, and Nevada locations.
The hosts note a complete absence of advertisements for injections, prescriptions, fast food, GLP-1 drugs, or weight-loss medications on UK television. This contrasts sharply with the US, where they observe constant commercials for prescriptions, GLP-1 medications, weight loss products, Viagra, and junk food. They mention that billboards in the US are ubiquitous with similar messaging, whereas UK billboards are scarce. The hosts explicitly state they love the United States and are grateful to live there, but emphasize the need to be honest about areas where improvement is possible.
At Five Guys in the UK, the hosts received wooden utensils instead of plastic. The restaurant does not offer plastic forks due to a UK law banning them because of environmental harm and microplastics that enter soil and eventually human consumption. When one host requested a plastic fork, staff responded with confusion and provided a wooden fork instead.
UK sparkling water is sold in glass jars, which the hosts found superior in taste compared to plastic-bottled alternatives. They observed that people in the UK appear metabolically healthier than in the US. They note fewer instances of morbid obesity visible in public spaces compared to places like Chicago O'Hare airport. The hosts clarify this is not a judgment of individuals but an observation of population-level differences.
Fast food establishments are significantly less common in the UK. During their trip, they encountered only one Five Guys, one Wendy's, and one McDonald's. They contrast this with the US, where every small city typically has multiple fast food chains, dollar stores, pharmacies, and coffee shops on every corner. UK grocery stores are often housed in historic cobblestone buildings, creating a more pleasant shopping environment compared to large concrete structures common in the US.
The hosts, who are from Wisconsin (known as a cheese capital), found UK cheese dramatically superior to Wisconsin cheese. They purchased cheddar from a regular grocery store and noted it lacked the waxy, orange appearance and taste of US cheddar. The UK cheddar had a proper white color and authentic cheddar tang. They also enjoyed halloumi (referred to as "bread cheese" in the US when fried) at a dinner hosted by George.
UK roads are extremely narrow, originally designed for horse and carriage traffic centuries ago. The hosts describe dangerous driving conditions where two cars can barely pass each other. They had multiple near-misses with curbs, going airborne once, and hitting curbs 17 times during one drive. Despite the challenging roads, UK drivers were notably calm and courteous compared to US drivers.
UK beef production prohibits growth hormones, with a ban in place since 1989. In contrast, two-thirds of US cattle still receive growth hormones. The UK also bans artificial food dyes (Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1) that are linked to neurological disruption and ADHD in children. UK products like Froot Loops use natural dyes derived from fruits and vegetables instead.
The hosts describe a roundabout incident where, after freezing due to driving confusion, an oncoming semi-truck driver responded with a friendly wave rather than anger or road rage. They note that every person they interacted with during their week in the UK was kind and patient. They contrast this with the "huffy and puffy" atmosphere they anticipate encountering upon returning to Chicago O'Hare.
Contrary to expectations, meat prices in the UK were comparable to US prices, with some items being cheaper. The hosts learned UK terminology differs significantly: ground beef is called "mince," the trunk of a car is a "boot," the hood is a "bonnet," sidewalks are "pavement," and public restrooms are simply called "toilets" rather than "bathrooms."
Additional UK terminology includes "chips" for fries, "petrol" for gas, and "pants" meaning underwear (with outerwear called "trousers"). When one host mentioned putting on "nice pants," their UK friend George laughed and explained the terminology difference. The hosts found UK phrasing like "lovely" and "brilliant" more pleasant than US equivalents.
The hosts identify the number one reason carnivore eating is better in the UK: proactive government policies protecting citizens. Examples include permanently attached bottle caps to prevent littering, bans on plastic utensils, hormone-free beef requirements, and elimination of harmful food dyes for children. They observe that US policy appears driven primarily by profit rather than public health protection.
The hosts used both the London Underground ("the tube") and regular trains. They found UK public transportation notably civil with no pushing or fighting. Their favorite non-carnivore aspect of the UK was the history, noting buildings dating back to the 14th-1500s, a castle where King Henry VIII lived, and beans in a historic building dating back 1,000 years. They contrast this with their 1894 Dodge house in the US, which UK residents described as "yesterday" or "a baby."
The hosts conclude that while proud to be Americans, the UK demonstrates small but meaningful steps toward better public health protection. They express strong interest in returning to the UK, citing amazing people, incredible history, and excellent carnivore food options. George is mentioned as their UK-US ambassador facilitating cultural exchange between the two countries.
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