Are Maltese Kids Swapping Pasta for a Carnivore Diet?
The article explores the growing trend of the carnivore diet for children, which emphasizes nutrient-dense animal-based foods over traditional staples like grains and legumes. Advocates, such as nutritionist Izabelle Malmberg, argue that this approach supports better digestion, skin health, and overall wellness in children, citing personal success stories. However, pediatricians caution that such diets may lack essential nutrients like fiber, Vitamin C, and magnesium, and warn against risks associated with raw dairy. In Malta, where the Mediterranean diet is celebrated for its health benefits, the carnivore diet presents an opportunity to blend ancestral eating practices with local culinary traditions, such as grass-fed meats and fresh seafood. Striking a balance between nutrient-dense animal products and seasonal produce may offer Maltese families a personalized approach to wellness while honoring the island's rich culinary heritage.
‘Carnivore Kids’ — Are Animal-Based Diets the Future of Family Nutrition?
The conversation around children’s diets is evolving, with parents increasingly exploring alternative approaches to feeding their little ones. One of the latest trends making waves internationally is the “carnivore diet” for children. A diet that prioritizes animal-based foods over traditional staples like grains and legumes, it’s raising eyebrows in the medical community while also garnering passionate advocates online. But could this trend have a place in Malta, a country that celebrates both its Mediterranean diet and a growing interest in modern wellness practices?
A Nutritionist’s Journey to Animal-Based Eating
In 2018, nutritionist Izabelle Malmberg was struggling with persistent eczema while following a vegan diet. Frustrated by the lack of solutions, she transitioned to the paleo diet, which emphasizes foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds while excluding grains, legumes, and most dairy. The shift brought some relief, but her postpartum journey a few years later presented new challenges: bloating, stubborn weight, and low energy despite breastfeeding.
Malmberg found inspiration in the podcast of American psychiatrist and health influencer Dr. Paul Saladino, who advocates for animal-based eating. “It wasn’t about ‘what to eat to lose weight,’ but about which foods are most nutrient-dense, most bioavailable, and what happens when we leave them out,” she explained. This revelation became even more significant when she considered her children’s needs. “Growing bodies need dense nutrition, not just bulk,” she said.
Now a mother of three boys aged 5, 3, and 15 months, Malmberg has embraced a largely animal-based diet for her family. Her children consume beef, lamb, chicken, pasture-raised eggs, raw dairy, and even bone marrow. While fruits and vegetables are included sparingly, the emphasis is on protein and nutrient-dense animal products.
The Rise of #CarnivoreKids
Although data on children following the carnivore diet is scarce, social media platforms are buzzing with parents documenting their journeys. Hashtags like #carnivorebaby and #animalbased are gaining traction, and resources like kid-friendly carnivore cookbooks are becoming available. Wellness influencer Olivia Khwaja and popular TikToker FlourishingMother have shared their children’s animal-based meals with thousands of followers, showcasing dishes like egg yolks with organ meat for breakfast and ground venison with avocado for dinner.
Malmberg has gone a step further, creating a wellness program to guide parents on introducing babies to solid foods. Her approach begins with what she calls “ancestral” foods, such as meat stock, liver, bone marrow, butter, liver pâté, and egg yolks. Vegetables, she says, can be introduced later to add flavor and variety, but they are not the priority. She also incorporates traditional fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, and beet kvass, which have been dietary staples across cultures for centuries.
The Carnivore Diet: Benefits and Concerns
Malmberg believes the diet has transformed her children’s health. Her first son, who initially followed a more conventional “balanced” diet, experienced eczema, poor sleep, and digestive issues. In contrast, her younger two sons, raised on an animal-based diet from six months old, have “glowing skin, great digestion, and a natural love of meat and fat.” She claims her children rarely suffer from colds, tantrums, or digestive issues and are thriving on this nutrient-dense diet.
However, medical professionals urge caution. Dr. Yossef Alnasser, a pediatrician with the BronxCare Health System, warns that all-animal-based diets may lack essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, magnesium, calcium, folate, and fiber. These nutrients are crucial for immune health, growth, and cognitive development. “All food groups are important for a child’s foundation of health today and success in school later in life,” he explains.
Raw dairy, another staple of the carnivore diet, poses additional risks. Unpasteurized milk can carry harmful bacteria, such as those that cause brucellosis, which may result in long-term health complications. Dr. Alnasser advises parents to consult their pediatricians before making significant dietary changes and to ensure children receive a source of fiber and a daily multivitamin if pursuing an animal-based approach.
A Maltese Perspective on Diet and Wellness
Malta is no stranger to debates about nutrition. While the Mediterranean diet—rich in olive oil, fresh vegetables, and fish—has long been celebrated as one of the world’s healthiest, the rise of alternative eating lifestyles reflects a growing interest in personalizing health and wellness. For parents in Malta curious about the carnivore diet, there’s an opportunity to balance tradition with innovation.
Local restaurants and markets already offer high-quality, grass-fed meats, fresh seafood, and pasture-raised eggs that align with this diet. Additionally, Malta’s culinary culture is steeped in nutrient-dense recipes, from rabbit stew to fresh goat cheese, which could provide inspiration for families exploring an animal-based lifestyle. However, incorporating seasonal produce and staples like legumes and whole grains may offer a more balanced approach to meet children’s growing needs.
Striking a Balance
The debate over the carnivore diet underscores a broader truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition. While Malmberg and other advocates highlight its potential benefits, pediatricians emphasize the importance of variety and balance, especially during a child’s formative years. For Maltese parents interested in optimizing their children’s diets, the key may lie in blending the best of both worlds—drawing on ancestral foods for nutrient density while honoring the diversity of the Mediterranean table.
As the conversation around food and health continues to evolve, one thing is clear: parents, whether in Malta or beyond, share a common goal—nurturing happy, healthy kids who thrive in every way. Whether that includes bone broth and liver pâté or a more traditional plate of rabbit and vegetables, the focus should always remain on quality, sustainability, and what works best for each individual family.