Man’s ‘profitable’ 12-egg-a-day diet goes viral, experts say

Some people may believe that eating an egg a day keeps the doctor away, but what happens when you consume more than 10 times that amount? Newsweek spoke to Ray Hicks who eats 12 eggs a day on average.

“I could eat eggs any way I wanted and never get tired of them,” Hicks said Newsweek.

Eggs are a nutrient-dense food, providing a good source of protein with about six grams per large egg and only 78 calories. The American Heart Association reports that they also provide essential nutrients like vitamin D, which supports bone health and the immune system, and choline, which benefits metabolism and liver function.

However, too much of a good thing can be bad, according to two doctors who spoke Newsweek about Hicks diet, about 26 years old.

What do the experts say?

registered dietitian, said Melanie Betz Newsweek: “The most alarming thing about this diet is the amount of cholesterol it contains. Twelve large eggs contain 2,484 mg of cholesterol.”

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended that cholesterol intake be limited to no more than 300 milligrams per day.

“The guidelines still suggest keeping cholesterol as low as possible without compromising the nutritional quality of the diet,” said Betz, founder and CEO of The Kidney Dietitian in Chicago.

He added: “Over a long period of time, eating so many eggs provides an astronomical amount of cholesterol, which is worrying. A study published in JAMA in 2019 found that eating more than 300 mg of cholesterol per day was associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality.”

“Eggs are an inexpensive powerhouse of protein and nutrients, but like all good things, they’re best enjoyed in balance,” said Dr. Praveen Guntipalli, a board-certified physician specializing in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine.

Guntipalli said Newsweek that consuming 12 eggs daily far exceeds typical dietary recommendations and can lead to high cholesterol and saturated fat intake, increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems, especially for people with heart disease or genetic predispositions.

He said: “It is crucial to consider the overall dietary context, combining eggs with high-fat foods can intensify the risks.”

How eating 12 eggs a day changed Hicks’ body

In early August 2023, Hicks, who lives in Nashville, Tenn., weighed 295 pounds, then discovered the carnivore diet. Since then, he has only consumed products of animal origin such as meat, eggs and dairy.

In 10 weeks, her body was transformed and she now maintains a 205-pound frame. He no longer suffers from joint pain and says that even his dental hygiene has improved.

“Of all the benefits I’ve experienced, the mental health side has to be my favorite,” she said Newsweek. “As someone who has battled depression from a very young age and successfully used anti-depressants, nothing comes close to what this diet has done to me mentally.

“Meat and eggs are like happy pills.”

In 2020, a team of researchers from Harvard University conducted a social media study on the carnivore diet, surveying more than 2,000 dieters. Their findings were published in November 2021 Current evolution in nutrition.

Participants had been dieting for six months or more and were motivated primarily for health reasons. Contrary to common expectations, adults who consumed a carnivorous diet experienced few adverse effects and instead reported health benefits and high satisfaction. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were variably affected. According to the research, the generalizability of these findings and the long-term effects of this dietary pattern require further study.

Hicks said Newsweek: “I have yet to speak to any health professional for advice or guidance on the carnivore diet. I am by no means a nutrition expert, considering I have no credentials to back me up. However, I do have extensive experience in health and fitness.

“While the abundance of eggs has been beneficial to me and many others, that doesn’t mean everyone likes it or even thrives on it.”

According to Statista, there has been a growing demand for eggs in the United States in recent years. In 2023, it was estimated that each person in the US consumed an average of 281.3 eggs per year, which is less than one per day. This number is expected to increase to 284.4 eggs per person by 2024.

In February, Hicks shared a video on TikTok explaining that she had consumed more than 2,000 eggs in six months. With 706,800 views, the footage shows Hicks tucking into a plate of eggs and a few pats of butter.

He says, “Believe it or not, every time I eat them, I think they taste better than the last time.”

In 2023, a dozen eggs cost $2.51 in the United States, according to Statista. Hicks claims they are “profitable”.

Read more: Earn cash back on grocery shopping

At the time of writing, the video has more than 24,000 likes, which is not uncommon for images posted by Hicks, who uses the handle @carnivoreray.

On May 7, he shared a video showing what he eats in a day. Unsurprisingly, he started with a dozen pasteurized eggs with a side of grass-fed beef liver, followed by a bowl of ground beef for lunch and a high-fat meal replacement bar.

The video had over 271,000 views and 15,300 likes at the time of writing.

One viewer asked: “Yes meat is good for you but why not eat fruit[?]”

Another said: “Eggs and liver taste amazing together!”

Are there any health issues you are concerned about? Let us know at [email protected]. We can ask the experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek.