You’ve seen the videos. Someone is sitting in front of a camera, holding a ribeye that looks like it was barely kissed by a flame, and they’re slicing off a cold slab of butter to go with every single bite. No broccoli. No rice. Definitely no seed oils. This is the world of the Steak and Butter Gang, and honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing corners of the internet right now. Founded by Bella Ma, better known to her massive following as "Steak and Butter Gal," this community isn't just about a diet. It's a full-on rejection of everything we were told about nutrition in the 90s.
Is it extreme? Yeah. Is it working for people? Also yeah.
The movement centers on a specific flavor of the carnivore diet that prioritizes high fat over lean protein. For years, the "bro-science" version of meat-eating was all about chicken breasts and egg whites. Bella Ma changed that narrative by focusing on the healing properties of animal fats. She transitioned from a six-year stint as a vegan—which she openly discusses left her with severe bloating, skin issues, and hormonal imbalances—to eating nothing but animal products. It sounds like a heart attack on a plate to the uninitiated, but the science of ketosis and nutrient density tells a different story.
What the Steak and Butter Gang Actually Eats
It’s not just steak. Well, it is, but the butter part is non-negotiable. Most people jumping into the Steak and Butter Gang lifestyle are looking to fix their metabolism. They aren't just eating meat; they are using fat as their primary fuel source.
When you cut out all carbohydrates, your body needs an alternative. If you just eat lean protein, your liver has to work overtime to convert that protein into glucose via a process called gluconeogenesis. That can leave you feeling tired and "flat." By adding massive amounts of butter—often raw or grass-fed—members of this community report a level of mental clarity that they never had on a standard diet.
They eat a lot of ruminant meat. Beef, lamb, bison. They eat eggs. They eat a lot of suet. They avoid anything that comes from a plant, citing "anti-nutrients" like oxalates and lectins as the culprits behind modern autoimmune issues. It’s a radical elimination diet. You strip everything away until your gut heals, and then you see what happens.
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The Role of Bella Ma and Dr. Ken Berry
You can't talk about this group without mentioning the heavy hitters. Bella Ma provides the "how-to" and the aesthetic inspiration, but the medical backbone often comes from figures like Dr. Ken Berry, author of Lies My Doctor Told Me. He’s a frequent collaborator with the gang.
Berry argues that the "Proper Human Diet" is one that humans evolved to eat over millions of years—mostly fat and meat. This isn't a new idea, but the way the Steak and Butter Gang packages it makes it accessible. They use challenges, community coaching, and "butter hauls" to make a restrictive diet feel like a club. It’s social. It’s supportive. If you’re struggling with sugar addiction, having a thousand people tell you to just "eat more butter" is surprisingly effective.
Dealing With the "C" Word: Cholesterol
Let’s address the elephant in the room. If you tell your doctor you’re in the Steak and Butter Gang, they might fall off their chair.
Standard medical advice says saturated fat clogs arteries. However, the carnivore community points to a growing body of research—and thousands of anecdotal blood panels—suggesting that high LDL (the so-called "bad" cholesterol) isn't the whole story. They look at the Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio. They look at inflammation markers like CRP (C-Reactive Protein).
Many members report that while their total cholesterol goes up, their markers for systemic inflammation plummet. Their skin clears up. Their joint pain vanishes. This creates a weird tension between "official" guidelines and lived experience. It’s a "trust your gut" vs. "trust the institution" battle.
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Does this mean it’s safe for everyone? Not necessarily. People with specific genetic markers like ApoE4 or those with familial hypercholesterolemia need to be careful. The gang doesn't usually claim to be a replacement for medical advice, but they do encourage people to become their own "N=1" experiment.
Why the "Butter" Part Matters More Than You Think
A common mistake new carnivores make is eating too much lean meat. They buy ground turkey or lean sirloin and wonder why they feel like garbage. They get the "keto flu."
The Steak and Butter Gang fixates on the 80/20 rule—80% of calories from fat, 20% from protein. This is basically the therapeutic ketogenic diet used a century ago to treat epilepsy. Fat is satiating. It stops the cravings. If you’ve ever tried to eat a stick of butter, you know you hit a "stop" signal pretty fast. Your body has a built-in mechanism for fat satiety that it doesn't have for Pringles or pasta.
Specific Benefits Reported by the Community:
- Massive Weight Loss: Without tracking calories, because fat is so filling.
- Hormonal Balance: Especially for women dealing with PCOS or amenorrhea.
- Mental Health: There is an emerging field called Nutritional Psychiatry that looks at how high-fat diets stabilize mood.
- Simplicity: No more meal prepping five different containers of salad. You just sear a steak.
The Carnivore Social Media Boom
The Steak and Butter Gang is a product of the algorithm, for sure. Short-form videos of butter being dropped into hot coffee or steaks being sliced are "oddly satisfying." But beneath the surface-level TikTok trends, there is a deep sense of disillusionment with the modern food system.
People are tired of being sick. They’re tired of the "everything in moderation" advice that has led to a global obesity epidemic. When someone says, "Hey, I cured my ulcerative colitis by eating ribeye," people listen. Even if it sounds crazy.
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There’s a bit of a "rebel" vibe to it. It’s anti-establishment. Eating a bowl of butter is a middle finger to the food pyramid. That rebellious energy is a huge part of why the community grows. It’s not just a diet; it’s an identity.
Practical Steps for the Curious
If you’re looking at the Steak and Butter Gang and thinking about trying it, don't just dive into a tub of Kerrygold tomorrow morning. Your gallbladder might hate you.
- Transition slowly. If you’re coming from a high-carb diet, your body lacks the enzymes to process high fat immediately. Ramp up the fat over two weeks.
- Salt is your best friend. When you drop carbs, you drop water weight, and your electrolytes go with it. Use high-quality sea salt or Redmond Real Salt. Drink it in your water if you have to.
- Source matters. While the gang isn't always "grass-fed or bust," quality does help. Grain-finished beef is fine for most, but the fat profile of grass-fed butter is objectively better for Omega-3 ratios.
- Listen to your satiety signals. This is the core of Bella Ma’s teaching. Eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full. It sounds simple, but most of us have forgotten how to do it.
- Get baseline bloodwork. Before you start, get your numbers. Check your fasting insulin, your A1C, and your lipid panel. Knowledge is power.
The Steak and Butter Gang might seem like a fringe group of "meat-heads," but they are part of a larger shift toward ancestral eating. Whether you think they're geniuses or totally nuts, you can't deny the results people are seeing. It’s a high-fat, high-stakes way of living that challenges every nutritional "truth" we’ve been taught. If you’re ready to see if fat is actually your friend, start by swapping the morning toast for some extra eggs cooked in—you guessed it—plenty of butter.
Focus on how your body actually feels. If the brain fog lifts and the bloating disappears, you might just find yourself joining the gang. Just make sure the steak is medium-rare.