Heidi Montag Is Eating Raw Organ Meat to Help with Fertility, But Is That Legit?

Reality star Heidi Montag was recently spotted eating raw bison heart in the streets of Los Angeles on Thursday. (You just can't make this stuff up.) And while you might be saying, "don't yuck someone's yum," when the photos of Montag casually gnawing on the slice of meat out of a giant plastic bag surfaced on the internet, questions about her diet choices quickly surfaced.

Apparently, Montag started this raw meat diet in an effort to combat fertility issues while trying to conceive her second child, according to a recent interview she gave to People. "I have been trying to get pregnant for over a year and a half, I'm willing to try different things," she told the publication. "It's a great source of nutrients! I have felt incredible on this diet. A lot more energy, clarity, increased libido, and overall improvement on chronic pain I have had." (

Despite Montag's positive experiences, experts aren't so keen on the idea. "There is no research to back this [increased fertility from eating raw meat] up and there are far too many risks involved with eating raw meat," says Sara Haas R.D.N., L.D., co-author of Fertility Foods Cookbook. "I don't recommend it for anyone, especially people looking to conceive." One of the biggest concerns with consuming raw meat is food poisoning. "Eating raw meat puts you at risk for contacting a number of food borne illnesses such as salmonella, E. coli, and other bacterial infections," says Jenna Turocy M.D., a fertility expert of Columbia University Fertility Center.

Food poisoning can also be harmful not only for an expecting mother but for the child as well. "People who are trying to become pregnant may actually be pregnant without realizing it and some food-borne illnesses can cause detrimental effects to an embryo," says Lauren Manaker M.S., R.D.N., L.D., a fertility-focused registered dietitian and author of Fueling Male Fertility. Manaker also notes that anyone trying to conceive should be eating as if they are currently pregnant for food safety reasons.

While Montag admitted she knows there's "always [a] risk eating raw [meat] just like eating raw sushi," she said she's always been very interested in various types of diets, specifically "the way humans are meant to eat," she told the mag. She added that Paul Saladino, aka the "Carnivore Doctor" and author of The Carnivore Code, particularly piqued her interest. It was after looking into Saladino's carnivore diet, that Montag decided she wanted to give it a try.

"When you think about where the most nutrients are that are bioavailable to humans without toxins, organs are very nutritious parts of animals," she said. "Culturally organs are a critical part. Eating raw liver is going to preserve as many nutrients as possible."

Turns out, Montag is right in that organ meats are very nutrient-dense. They often contain "fertility-supporting nutrients," such as folate, iron, and selenium, says Manaker. "Some evidence does show that cooking meat degrades some nutrients, but when considering the bigger picture, the nutrient breakdown is not enough to have a great impact on overall health," she says. "It's better to prioritize food safety when trying to conceive or become pregnant."

"Fertility is all about balance and a blend of nutrients to enhance your fertility," adds Elizabeth Shaw, M.S. R.D.N. C.P.T., a nutrition expert, owner of Shaw Simple Swaps, and co-author of Fertility Foods Cookbook. "From what I've seen in the research, there is no evidence that eating any raw meat can help with fertility."

It seems that Montag has been on the raw meat diet for quite a while. Last month, she posted a video on Instagram of her eating raw bull's testicles. In the clip, she holds up a plate with two organs and says the taste is "not too bad" after taking her first bite. Then, she attempts to take a bite of the other (and it needs to be pointed out, larger) organ on the plate, noting it was very slippery and "a little intense." As far as the taste? "It's very chewy," she said. Yum?

Texture and flavor aside, Montag has "definitely adjusted to the taste" of her new diet, she told People. "I just happen to like eating sushi-style organs," she said.

The former "Laguna Beach" star has been very open about her fertility journey since she announced back in January that she's trying for baby number two with husband Spencer Pratt. In a YouTube video vlog, you can watch as she undergoes a hysteroscopic polypectomy, which is a procedure that examines the inside of the cervix and uterus to can help diagnose potential causes of infertility and (hopefully) improve chances of getting pregnant. (

"I'm hoping that this surgery works and that this is the only reason I haven't been able to get pregnant," she said in the vlog before her she went in for the procedure. "I'm excited, so please, God, I pray I will be able to get pregnant after this."