The Best Diet: The Proper Human Diet, by Roxana Soetebeer, MHP, NNP, PHC, PFC
The Best Diet: The Proper Human Diet
What is the best diet for humans? It's not complicated—it's the Proper Human Diet (PHD). But that doesn't mean there's just one way to eat. The PHD is a spectrum, ranging from the strictest animal-based approach (like the Lion Diet) to more flexible low-carb options. This spectrum exists because humans have evolved to be hyper-carnivores—primarily animal-based but with the ability to consume some plant foods in specific ways.
For too long, people have been trapped in diet dogma, thinking they must follow one strict way of eating forever. But the truth is, our genetics and evolution tell us otherwise. We were never designed to be vegan or high-carb plant eaters, but we also don't have to be 100% carnivore at all times. Instead, we should focus on eating ancestrally, prioritizing animal foods, and using plants strategically when needed.
Dr. Ken Berry coined the term Proper Human Diet, which describes the way humans are biologically and evolutionarily designed to eat—an animal-based approach that aligns with our species' nutritional needs.
So, let's break it down. What is the Proper Human Diet, and why does it include a spectrum? What makes us hyper-carnivores, and how do we know? And why can we eat some plants—but only under the right conditions? Let's dig in.
The term hyper-carnivore means that at least 70% of our diet should come from animal sources, with the remaining percentage coming from plants. We're not obligate carnivores like cats, who can only survive on animal flesh, but we're also not omnivores in the way bears or pigs are.
We know this by looking at multiple lines of evidence:
Humans have a highly acidic stomach, with a pH as low as 1.5, similar to scavengers and obligate carnivores. This acidity is designed to break down animal protein and kill harmful bacteria found in meat. In contrast, herbivores and true omnivores have a much more alkaline stomach.
Our small intestine is also the primary site of digestion—just like in carnivores. Meanwhile, true plant-eaters (like cows, gorillas, and horses) have huge colons and fermentation chambers where plant fiber gets broken down over time. Humans lack this ability, which means we aren't designed to extract much nutrition from raw plant foods.
Fun fact: To get enough vitamin B12, gorillas eat their own feces. This process, called hindgut fermentation, helps them extract nutrients from plant matter—something humans definitely don't want to do!
When scientists examine ancient human bones, they look at nitrogen isotopes to determine what our ancestors ate. The data consistently show that early humans consumed even more meat than known carnivore predators like wolves and hyenas.
This means meat wasn't just a side dish—it was our primary fuel source. We didn't just eat prey—we ate predators too.
One of the biggest changes in human evolution was the expansion of our brain. This wouldn't have been possible without a high-fat, high-protein diet. Animal foods provided the dense nutrition needed for brain growth, while carbohydrate-rich diets simply don't offer the same level of bioavailable nutrients.
If humans are hyper-carnivores, why do we eat plants at all? The answer is adaptation for survival—not because we thrive on them. Unlike true herbivores, we don't have the digestive ability to extract nutrients from raw plants efficiently. That's why humans have always used methods to neutralize plant toxins and make them more digestible.
Many plant foods contain anti-nutrients—compounds that block nutrient absorption or cause harm. These include:
- Lectins (found in beans, grains, and nightshades) that damage the gut lining.
- Phytates (found in nuts and seeds) that block mineral absorption.
- Oxalates (found in spinach, almonds, and sweet potatoes) that contribute to kidney stones and inflammation.
Cooking reduces some of these compounds, making the plants less harmful—but it doesn't necessarily make them optimal food.
Humans have long used fermentation to break down plant compounds. Fermenting pre-digests foods, reducing anti-nutrients and making certain vitamins more bioavailable. This is why ancient cultures fermented foods like sourdough, kimchi, and yogurt.
Because humans evolved on a diet spectrum, you don't have to lock yourself into one rigid eating style forever.
Some people feel best on a strict carnivore or Lion Diet, especially if they're dealing with autoimmune issues, metabolic disorders, or inflammation. Others thrive with a paleo, low-carb, or ketovore approach that includes small amounts of well-prepared plants.
- ✓ Animal foods should be the foundation of your diet.
- ✓ Plants are optional and should be chosen carefully based on individual tolerance.
- ✓ You don't have to eat the same way year-round—some seasonal variation is natural.
The best diet isn't about following trends—it's about understanding what we are built to eat. The Proper Human Diet is an animal-based, ancestrally appropriate way of eating that respects our biology.
Whether you choose to be strict carnivore, ketovore, or low-carb, remember—you're not just picking a diet, you're reclaiming your ancestral way of eating.
Eat like a human.
Written by Roxana Soetebeer, MHP, NNP, PHC, PFC
Published February 15th, 2025
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