As reported by VICE.
In contemporary discourse about child nutrition, a new, controversial trend has emerged – the so-called “meat-eating babies,” that is, children who refuse puree and move on to chunks of beef, butter, and bone marrow.
In New Jersey, Angela Minniti-Stampone told the New York Post that her daughter Capri started reaching for meat as early as six months old.
She literally tears the meat right out of my mouth.
Over time, Capri’s appetite became the family’s “signature trait,” and her mother believes that such a diet could help the child grow up without the “baggage” of body image she saw in the 90s.
Evelyn Flores from the Sunnyside neighborhood recalled that during pregnancy she was also drawn to cutlets, and now her 10-month-old son Kai eats tomahawk steaks and chunks of butter as snacks.
In Las Vegas, Tarin and Billy Frenzel have raised three children on a strict meat-eating diet since 2022. “They don’t want pizza, porridge, or French fries. They want meat.”
They don’t want pizza, porridge, or French fries. They want meat.
Not everyone applauds this approach: a diet popular among influencers and marketed as a path to energy and weight loss is linked to kidney stones, digestive problems, and an increased risk of colon cancer, according to researchers.
Pediatricians and gastroenterologists are concerned about balance. Bridget Kirnan, a pediatric gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, said to the Post that a meat-based diet may work “in moderation,” but infants also need carbohydrates, fiber, and sugars from fruits and vegetables. “We want to give children a balanced diet with all macro- and micronutrients,” she emphasized.
In a moderate, meat-focused diet, it can work, but infants also need carbohydrates, fiber, and sugars from fruits and vegetables. We want to give children a balanced diet with all macro- and micronutrients.
This gap between medical advice and viral content fuels a backlash: parents describe ridicule, accusations of neglect, and even threats to involve child protective services. Skeptics see meat-eating babies as risky; families call it a healthy rebellion.
Each generation has its controversial parenting trends. This case brings to the surface a discussion about parental freedom of choice and the safety of feeding infants – with a focus on bone marrow and fat instead of Gerber jars.
Safety and Doctors’ Recommendations
Medical experts emphasize that child nutrition should be balanced in macro- and micronutrients. While a moderate meat-based diet may be acceptable for some adults, infants also need carbohydrates, fiber, and natural sources of sugars from fruits and vegetables. Experts urge consulting pediatricians and dietitians before changing a child’s regimen to avoid risking growth, digestion, and development.
In infants’ digestive tracts, various nutrients matter: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The adolescent and early childhood diet should support normal development of bones, the nervous system, and immunity. Prolonged experiments with feeding without medical supervision can lead to kidney problems, digestive issues, or weight problems, and may increase the risk of certain diseases later in life.
Most importantly – carefully weigh the risks and benefits of each dietary step for a young child, choosing a regimen that supports overall development and safety.
