Can the carnivore diet work for women? In a world overflowing with diet trends and skincare crazes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if the key to lasting health was actually about going back to basics?
Rina Ahluwalia, founder of The Primal, has done just that, embracing an ancestral approach through the carnivore diet and tallow-based skincare. Once struggling with diet confusion and mental health challenges, she discovered that a meat-focused lifestyle was the game-changer she needed.
Now, she’s inspiring thousands with her journey. In this interview, Rina opens up about her transformation, the science behind primal living, and simple, practical tips for busy women who want to take control of their health.
Curious if the carnivore diet for women really works? Here’s a real-life success story you won’t want to miss! P.S. I tried the Whipped Tallow Balm in Lemongrass and so far it’s my favorite tallow product I’ve tried to date! If you want to try it for yourself, keep scrolling for the discount code.
Rina, it’s so great to have you! You’ve built an incredible career, from The Primal to your skincare line and podcast.
Q: Can you walk us through your journey and tell us what sparked your interest in primal living?
My journey started at 18. I have always been curious about health. This led me to the old-school mentality of counting calories, running, and over-exercising until I found Keto at age 30, coupled with intermittent fasting.
For the first time, my ‘hunger monster’ was somewhat fixed by lowering my carb intake and not eating so often during the day.
Ultimately, I found the Carnivore Diet five years ago, and now at age 41, I am healthier and happier than ever. Also, my father was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia, so brain health is incredibly important to me.
This led me to create our brand, The Primal, which is about getting back to our ancestral lifestyle—what we eat, how we move, and also providing clean, toxic-free skincare solutions, which is The Primal Tallow Balm.
Rina’s Personal Journey
Q: What was the moment that made you think, “I need to try the carnivore diet”?
That’s a great question. It was around the time my father was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia. I found a video online with Dr. Ken Berry discussing this ‘weird’ Carnivore Diet that had helped so many people fix chronic health problems.
At the time, I was still struggling with mental health issues, which Keto had greatly helped, but the Carnivore Diet (a high-fat Carnivore diet) completely transformed my well-being. Unfortunately, my dad cannot do the Carnivore Diet, but I have encouraged my family to adopt an animal-based lifestyle, along with millions on the podcast.
Q: What were the biggest changes you noticed, both physically and mentally, once you started?
So many things:
- My eating disorder, called night eating syndrome, completely disappeared after a few months of a high-fat Carnivore Diet.
- My anxiety and depression vanished, my mood improved, and I had more motivation in life.
- My acne improved. I have acne scarring from my teenage years, and while it hasn’t completely gone, it has significantly faded.
- I lost 25 lbs without trying. I didn’t need to lose weight, but eliminating anti-nutrients (including my favorites, dark chocolate and peanut butter) allowed me to drop fat.
- My bloated stomach disappeared—no more flatulence either.
- My iron deficiency resolved from eating more red meat.
- My blood work is the best it has ever been, including a healthy LDL cholesterol.
Q: Looking back now, what’s been the most amazing health benefit you’ve seen from sticking with this lifestyle?
Food freedom—no more counting calories, no more obsessing over food. This is something not many people discuss, especially among women. There’s an obsession with the scale, body image, and eating less. I eat more than I ever did, and I am in better health and shape.
Building a Primal World
Q: How did your carnivore diet journey lead you to create The Primal?
The Carnivore Diet led me to create The Primal. I understand that not everyone has the motivation to follow a strict Carnivore Diet, so we broaden this approach to include a spectrum from low-carb to Carnivore. Most humans should be on that carbohydrate spectrum because it aligns with an ancestral diet.
The Primal Podcast explores how we can use a low-carb to Carnivore lifestyle (depending on metabolic flexibility) to achieve optimal health, fix chronic disease, and live a stronger life. The focus of The Primal is a meat-forward movement, especially red meat, which has been demonized for decades. We uncover the truth with board-certified doctors and experts to understand optimal nutrition through The Primal way of living.
Q: And what about your tallow skincare line? How does it fit into your primal living philosophy?
The Primal Tallow Balms came from my curiosity about skincare. Through my work, I interviewed experts on environmental toxins, and over and over, the conversation came back to skincare.
I suffered from acne and have sensitive skin, particularly to fragrances and chemicals. I wanted a natural, fragrance-free, affordable product. So I thought, why not create one myself?
It’s been a beautiful process working with my team to develop a unique double purification process for our tallow balms, ensuring they are as odorless and clean as possible while maintaining their nourishing benefits. Honestly, it’s the only product I use on my skin.
Q: What’s your favorite product from your skincare line? What are the benefits?
My favorite is the whipped unscented tallow balm. It’s incredibly nourishing and soft, leaving a natural glow on the skin.
A tiny pea-sized amount goes a long way. People are often surprised at how light and moisturizing it is, especially since tallow is not commonly thought of as a skincare ingredient. The whipped version is my favorite.
Balancing a Busy Lifestyle
Q: What are your best tips for making the Carnivore Diet work for women when short on time?
Make meal prep your best friend.
When starting the Carnivore Diet, don’t be too hard on yourself. Include everything animal-based—dairy, bacon, deli meats. The key is to stay Carnivore. You can batch-cook stews, casseroles, meat muffins, or make bone broth. Bulk cooking is the way to go. We have plenty of recipes on our website: The Primal.
Q: What’s your go-to, quick and easy Carnivore meal?
Beef burger patties in the air fryer for 10 minutes with good-quality salt.
Q: Besides diet, how do you stay healthy and balanced?
Health isn’t just about diet. I focus on:
- Strength training and Pilates
- Walking 8,000-10,000 steps daily
- Morning meditation
- Sunlight exposure
- Minimizing blue light in the evenings
- Social connections
Podcast and Community
Q: What do you want listeners to take away from your podcast?
Red meat and saturated fats are crucial for health. You don’t have to be Carnivore, but a high-fat diet can help heal chronic disease and achieve optimal weight and health.
Quick Tips and Takeaways
Q: What are three quick tips for women starting a Carnivore diet or Primal lifestyle?
- Eat a lot of red meat (don’t be afraid of it).
- Remove non-Carnivore foods from your kitchen.
- Eat plenty of salt—5-7 grams daily to prevent the ‘keto flu.’
Q: What is the biggest misconception about the Carnivore Diet?
That red meat is bad for you. The myths about heart disease, kidney damage, and cholesterol are false. Red meat is essential for health.
Where can readers learn more about your work?
The Primal Discount Code
Want to give it a try? Grab 10% off your first order.
Final Thoughts
Thank you so much, Rina, for sharing your story and expertise. Any final thoughts?
Thank you for the opportunity. The more we invest in our health, the better we will be. Food is medicine, and there are three truths in life: we need fatty meat, faith, and fasting.
