If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or YouTube lately, you’ve probably seen Joe Bartolozzi. He’s the guy who yells at absurd life hacks, makes faces at questionable cooking videos, and generally says what everyone else is thinking. But lately, fans have noticed something different about his diet. The steak and burgers are gone.
Honestly, it sounds like a bad internet creepypasta. A guy who loves food suddenly can't touch a hamburger without his body going into full-blown crisis mode. It isn’t a lifestyle choice or a sudden pivot to veganism for the "aesthetic."
Joe Bartolozzi has Alpha-gal syndrome.
The Tiny Culprit Behind the Beef Ban
Most people think food allergies are something you’re born with, like being allergic to peanuts or shellfish. Alpha-gal is different. You aren't born with it; you're "bitten" into it.
Joe explained the whole ordeal in a video titled "How I Got The Red Meat Disease." He basically traced it back to a camping trip or just being out in the woods on the East Coast. He mentioned having chiggers and finding a tiny tick—literally the size of a pen point—lodged between his knuckles.
That tiny bug was likely a Lone Star tick.
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When this specific tick bites you, it can transfer a sugar molecule called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (Alpha-gal) into your bloodstream. Your immune system sees this foreign sugar and goes, "Nope, not today." It develops antibodies to fight it. The problem? That same sugar molecule is found in almost all mammals.
Why Beef is Off the Menu
Because Alpha-gal is present in "non-primate mammals," Joe’s immune system now identifies beef, pork, lamb, and even venison as a threat.
It’s not just a stomach ache. For many with this condition, eating a slice of bacon or a steak can lead to:
- Hives and itchy skin
- Swelling of the lips, face, or throat
- Severe stomach pain and vomiting
- Anaphylaxis (the scary, life-threatening kind of reaction)
The weirdest part? Unlike a peanut allergy where you react instantly, Alpha-gal reactions are often delayed. You might eat a burger at 7:00 PM and not start breaking out in hives until 2:00 AM. It makes it incredibly hard to diagnose at first.
Living the "No Mammal" Life
Joe has been pretty vocal about how much this sucks. He’s a guy who enjoys a good meal, and suddenly, he’s restricted to "vegan shit" (his words) or poultry.
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He mentioned in his VODs that he’d probably just stick to turkey burgers, but he wasn't exactly thrilled about it. "That just fucking sucks dude," he said. And he’s right. Imagine being a creator who reacts to food content all day and realizing you can never taste half of it again.
It changes everything. You can't just go to a steakhouse and "pick the salad" because of cross-contamination. Even things like gelatin (made from cow or pig bones) or dairy can trigger some people with Alpha-gal, though the severity varies from person to person.
The Rise of Alpha-gal in 2026
We are seeing more of this. It used to be a "rare" disease relegated to the deep South, but Lone Star ticks have been migrating north and west due to changing climate patterns.
| Animal Category | Safe to Eat? | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Mammals | NO | Beef, Pork, Lamb, Goat, Bison |
| Poultry | YES | Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Quail |
| Seafood | YES | Fish, Shrimp, Crab, Lobster |
| Plants | YES | Beans, Tofu, Grains, Veggies |
Joe's situation is a massive PSA for anyone who spends time outdoors. He urged his viewers to "check your fucking whole body" after being in the woods. Ticks are small. They hide in places you wouldn't think to look—like between your knuckles or behind your ears.
Can He Ever Eat Steak Again?
Here is the bit of hope: Alpha-gal isn't always permanent.
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Some doctors, like those at the Mayo Clinic, have noted that if you avoid further tick bites, your antibody levels might drop over several years. For some, the allergy fades. For others, it’s a lifelong sentence.
For now, Joe is stuck in the poultry and plant-based lane. He’s mentioned trying things like Impossible Burgers, but let's be real—for a guy who loves the real deal, a lab-grown patty is a consolation prize.
What You Should Do
If you’re a fan of Joe or just someone who likes the outdoors, take this seriously. Alpha-gal syndrome is a life-changer.
- Wear Repellent: If you're hiking or camping, use DEET or Permethrin.
- The Buddy System: Have someone check your back and scalp for ticks after a trip.
- Watch the Symptoms: If you start getting itchy or having "digestive issues" a few hours after a late-night burger, don't just blame the grease. Go see an allergist and ask for an Alpha-gal panel.
Joe Bartolozzi's "beef" with beef isn't a feud—it's a medical reality. It's a reminder that nature is metal, and sometimes, a bug the size of a period at the end of a sentence can dictate what you have for dinner for the next decade.
Keep an eye on Joe’s channels for updates, but don't expect a mukbang involving a Tomahawk steak anytime soon. If you're heading outside this weekend, tuck your pants into your socks. It looks dorky, but it's better than losing the ability to eat bacon.
Next Steps for You: Check your local area's tick population maps provided by the CDC to see if the Lone Star tick is active near you. If you've had unexplained hives after dinner, schedule a blood test specifically for Alpha-gal IgE antibodies to catch it early.