Heidi Montag isn't afraid to shock people. I mean, let's be real, the reality star has basically made an entire career out of saying (and doing) things for tabloid fodder, along with her equally infamous husband, Spencer Pratt. But whether you're a "Speidi" fan or not, you gotta admit they sure know how to grab your attention.
Heidi previously made headlines for sharing her "unique" fertility diet, which apparently involves eating raw animal organs. (That's right, RAW. ANIMAL. ORGANS.) And if you just threw up in your mouth a little bit … I am RIGHT THERE WITH YOU, my friend.
Montag spilled the beans on her diet during a interview with 'People' magazine
"I love trying new things!" Montag said, adding that she's "always been very interested in various types of diets."
The thing is, this new approach to eating isn't exactly the latest Keto/Paleo/Mediterranean diet craze. Instead, Montag claims she's been incorporating raw meat into her diet as a means of boosting her fertility.
According to Montag, it's not just some trendy new "thing" — it's actually healthy
(… Really, she swears!)
“When you think about where the most nutrients are that are bio available to humans without toxins, organs are very nutritious parts of animals," Montag explained. "Culturally, organs are a critical part. Eating raw liver is going to preserve as many nutrients as possible."
Believe it or not, this isn't the first time she's talked about this
Montag shared videos of herself actually eating some of these raw "delicacies" on Instagram. And yes, they are just as graphic as you might expect.
(Warning: You probably shouldn't press play if you've either just eaten lunch or are about to.)
In one clip, Montag holds up a massive piece of raw liver, though she doesn't name the animal it comes from.
"There are so many health benefits to eating liver, animal organs, raw liver," she says, before taking a large bite of the organ and audibly crunching down on it for several seconds.
"You definitely get used to it," she adds.
In another clip, Montag chows down on a pair of — wait for it — bull testicles
… Yes, really.
"I might have to cook this one," Montag says as she chews. "That one's a little intense."
She was even spotted recently walking down a street in L.A. — just "casually" chewing on raw bison heart.
Heidi Montag snacks on bison heart as part of her raw meat diet https://t.co/Gpuy9KxP3L pic.twitter.com/hUeXP5NYNp
— Page Six (@PageSix) March 10, 2022
According to Montag, she's not just doing this for the headlines
The reality star, who is already mom to a son named Gunner, said she had been been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for "over a year and a half," which is what led her to explore things that could boost her fertility naturally. And apparently it worked. Montag welcomed her second son in November 2022.
While she's definitely had to "adjust" to the taste of raw meat, she's become pretty used to it now, and says she sometimes cooks it, too.
But most of all, she loves how her new food kick makes her feel.
"I have felt incredible on this diet," Montag told People. "A lot more energy, clarity, increased libido, and overall improvement on chronic pain I have had."
Naturally though, her "diet" has had people talking
Montag disabled the comments on many of her raw meat videos, but as the story continues to spread on Twitter, people have not been holding back…
"Girl, that is how you get tapeworms!" one woman tweeted, in response to a story by Page Six.
"If I have to see one more picture of Heidi Montag eating raw meat, I will simply and merely walk directly into the ocean," someone else tweeted.
One person said they could see this as a reasonable diet if the goal was "to diarrhea yourself to your ideal weight."
Others merely dismissed it as yet another ploy for attention.
"Good publicity stunt!" tweeted one person.
"Just when you think someone couldn't be more insufferable, they go and find a new gear," added someone else.
Good publicity stunt!
“I have been trying to get pregnant for over a year and a half, I’m willing to try different things. It’s a great source of nutrients! I have felt incredible on this diet. A lot more energy,https://t.co/zWLHroatfo
— Brian Sanders (@FoodLiesOrg) March 12, 2022
Medical experts seem to be shaking their heads at this one, too
In fact, Dr. Jenna Turocy, a fertility specialist at the Columbia University Fertility Center, tells Mom.com that a raw meat diet is not advised.
"Eating raw meat puts you at risk for contracting a number of foodborne illnesses such as salmonella, E. coli, and other bacterial infections," explained Dr. Turocy. (In fact, the CDC even has a warning about this on the agency's official website.)
Plus, a carnivore diet isn't just risky in general, it can also be "particularly harmful in early pregnancy and increase the risk of miscarriage," the doctor adds.
As for Montag's fertility claims, those seem to be a bit shaky, too
"There is no strong evidence that strict dietary restrictions such as the carnivore diet improve fertility," says Dr. Turocy.
"Some women with ovulatory dysfunction such as PCOS may benefit from lowering their intake of carbohydrates, which can lead to weight loss, improved hormonal profiles, and more regular ovulation," she adds. But chewing on raw meat? Better steer clear.
"I recommend patients avoid extremes [in general]," says Dr. Turocy. "Nutrition is important, but focusing too much on a diet can lead to anxiety, worry, and even disordered eating patterns."
Instead, the fertility specialist tells prospective moms to stick to the age-old adage of having "everything in moderation."
"Be kind to yourself," she adds. "Eat well, which includes less processed foods and more nutrition-rich foods like fruits and veggies (which would be prohibited if strictly following the carnivore diet)."
But most of all, "enjoy your favorite treats once in a while," she says.
(Don't have to tell us twice!)
*Disclaimer: The advice on Mom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
