Meatstock 2024: How 1,400 Carnivore Diet Fans Defied Medical Norms in Tennessee

Over 1,400 people gathered in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for Meatstock, a three-day convention celebrating the carnivore diet. Attendees travelled from as far as Canada, eager to share their experiences and connect with like-minded individuals. The event featured talks from health advocates, including allies of prominent carnivore diet follower Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Lisa Moss, 57, and her husband Phil flew in from Alberta, Canada, to join the convention. They were among many seeking both community and validation for their dietary choices. Some attendees even asked fellow carnivore enthusiasts to sign their cutting boards as keepsakes.

The event drew speakers like Calley Means, Zen Honeycutt, Vani Hari, and Alex Clark, all known for their ties to Kennedy. Health Secretary Kennedy himself has publicly credited the carnivore diet with reducing dangerous body fat. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Veronica Eggleston explained how adopting the diet in high school made her more conscious of what she consumes. Many attendees claimed the diet had cured chronic conditions, from arthritis to diabetes and mental illness. Some, like carnivore influencer Serena Musick, rejected the idea of being 'normal' if it meant enduring health struggles. Others expressed distrust in mainstream medicine, arguing that prescription drugs could be replaced with beef. Yet, most doctors remain sceptical. They warn that excessive red meat consumption carries significant health risks and dispute the diet’s claimed benefits.

Meatstock provided a space for carnivore diet followers to share personal success stories and challenge medical norms. The convention highlighted a growing movement that prioritises meat over traditional treatments. However, medical professionals continue to caution against the long-term effects of such an extreme diet.