Animal Based Calculator

Calculate your optimal protein, fruit, honey, and meat intake based on ancestral dietary principles.

What is an Animal Based Calculator?

The animal based calculator is a specialized tool designed to help followers of the Animal-Based Diet (often associated with Dr. Paul Saladino) determine their precise nutritional requirements. Unlike a standard ketogenic or high-carb diet, the animal based diet focuses on nutrient-dense animal foods, seasonal fruits, honey, and raw dairy.

An animal based calculator takes your specific biometrics—including weight, gender, and activity levels—and applies the principles of evolutionary biology to macro-nutrient ratios. It prioritizes high-quality protein from ruminant animals (like grass-fed beef) and balances metabolic health with carbohydrates sourced from low-toxicity plant foods like fruit and honey.

Who should use this tool? Anyone looking to optimize their hormonal health, athletic performance, or body composition while adhering to a diet that excludes seed oils, processed sugars, and high-defense plant chemicals like oxalates and lectins. A common misconception is that this diet is just “meat only” (Carnivore), but the animal based calculator incorporates strategic carbohydrates to support thyroid function and electrolyte balance.

Animal Based Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The logic behind the animal based calculator relies on calculating your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) and then partitioning those calories into specific “safe” food groups. The primary derivation follows these steps:

1. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Calculated using a weight-centric baseline.
2. TDEE Calculation: BMR × Activity Multiplier.
3. Protein Target: Set at a fixed ratio of 1 gram per pound of body weight to ensure muscle protein synthesis.
4. Carbohydrate Target: Calculated based on activity level (0.5g to 1.5g per lb of body weight).
5. Fat Target: Remaining calories are allocated to animal fats.

Variables Table for Animal Based Calculations

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
BW	Body Weight	lbs	100 – 350
AF	Activity Factor	Multiplier	1.2 – 1.9
P	Protein Coefficient	g/lb	0.8 – 1.2
C	Carb Coefficient	g/lb	0.5 – 2.0

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: The Active Male Athlete

A 200lb male who hits the gym 5 times a week (Moderately Active) with a goal of maintaining muscle. Using the animal based calculator:

• Total Calories: ~3,100 kcal
• Protein: 200g (800 kcal)
• Carbohydrates: 200g (800 kcal) from honey and fruit
• Fat: 166g (1,500 kcal) from beef suet and butter
• Interpretation: This individual needs a 1:1 ratio of protein to carbs to fuel explosive training while keeping fats high for hormonal support.

Example 2: Sedentary Fat Loss Goal

A 150lb female working a desk job wanting to lose weight. The animal based calculator outputs:

• Total Calories: ~1,530 kcal
• Protein: 150g (600 kcal)
• Carbohydrates: 75g (300 kcal)
• Fat: 70g (630 kcal)
• Interpretation: By prioritizing protein and slightly reducing carbs and fats, the body is encouraged to tap into stored adipose tissue while protecting lean mass.

How to Use This Animal Based Calculator

Follow these steps to get the most accurate results for your ancestral nutrition plan:

1. Input Your Weight: Use your current weight. If you have a high body fat percentage, you may want to use your “goal weight” to avoid over-calculating calories.
2. Select Activity Level: Be conservative. Most people overestimate their activity. Select ‘Sedentary’ if you sit most of the day, even if you do a 30-minute walk.
3. Choose Your Goal: Select ‘Fat Loss’ for a 15% deficit, ‘Maintenance’ for current weight, or ‘Muscle Gain’ for a surplus.
4. Review the Food Table: Look at the “Est. Quantity” section to see how many lbs of meat or pieces of fruit you roughly need.
5. Adjust Based on Biofeedback: If you feel lethargic, increase carbs. If you aren’t losing weight, slightly reduce the fat intake.

Key Factors That Affect Animal Based Calculator Results

Several physiological and environmental factors influence how the animal based calculator values should be applied in real life:

• Metabolic Flexibility: Individuals coming from a standard diet may need a transition period before these macros feel “right.”
• Sleep Quality: Poor sleep increases cortisol, which can affect how your body processes the carbohydrates (fruit/honey) provided by the calculator.
• Gut Health: Raw dairy and fermented foods might change your absorption rates of the calculated calories.
• Training Intensity: A heavy leg day requires more glucose (carbs) than a rest day. You may want to cycle your carb intake.
• Organ Meat Consumption: While small in calories, organs provide the micronutrients that allow the macro-metabolism to function.
• Salt Intake: On an animal-based diet, you must actively add high-quality sea salt to manage the electrolytes that carbs and meat require for transport.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the animal based calculator the same as a Keto calculator?

No. While Keto restricts carbs to under 20-50g, the animal based calculator includes significant carbs from fruit and honey to support metabolic health.

2. Why does the calculator recommend so much protein?

The diet is centered on ruminant meat. Protein is the most satiating macronutrient and is essential for maintaining muscle mass and bone density.

3. Can I eat vegetables on this plan?

The strict animal-based framework excludes high-defense plant parts like leaves, stems, and seeds, focusing instead on “fruits” (the reproductive part of the plant).

4. How much liver should I eat according to the calculator?

Most experts recommend about 0.5 to 1 ounce of liver per day to avoid Vitamin A toxicity while ensuring adequate B12 and folate.

5. Does the calculator account for raw dairy?

Yes, dairy can be counted towards your fat and protein macros. However, some people choose to exclude it if they are sensitive to A1 casein.

6. What if I am still hungry after eating the suggested amounts?

Listen to your body. The animal based calculator provides a baseline, but satiety signals are the ultimate guide in ancestral eating.

7. Are the carb counts too high for weight loss?

Not necessarily. Carbs from fruit are processed differently than refined sugars. They help keep your metabolism (thyroid) active during a calorie deficit.

8. How do I calculate “Meat” weight?

The calculator refers to the “cooked” or “raw” weight depending on your tracking method, but most users track meat raw for consistency.

Related Tools and Internal Resources

• Carnivore Macro Calculator – For those looking to go zero-carb.
• Keto vs Animal Based Comparison – Understanding the metabolic differences.
• Nutrient Density Score – See how your food choices rank.
• Grass-fed Beef Nutrition Guide – Detailed breakdown of ruminant meat.
• Liver Dosage Guide – How to safely incorporate organ meats.
• Electrolyte Balance Guide – Managing salt on an animal based diet.