Meatstock Through the Eyes of a Vendor

Rebecca Stuart • May 21, 2026

A Functional Health Perspective on Healing, Zinc Deficiency, and Taking Ownership of Your Health

I went to Meatstock as a vendor to promote my business… but I left reminded why I started it in the first place.

I had the opportunity to be a vendor at Meatstock this year, originally there to share about my high school health course, Whole Health for Teens. But it didn’t take long for me to realize, I wasn’t just there to promote something. I was there to witness something.

Meatstock has quickly become a nationally recognized event, gaining attention from major outlets like the New York Times (which I had the honor of being interviewed for), Fox News, Newsmax, and many more. And the attention is well deserved. This wasn’t just a food event, it was a health movement.

This was a gathering of people and speakers willing to think outside the conventional box of health. People who are asking deeper questions, looking for root causes, and seeking real, practical solutions when the traditional system hasn’t delivered answers.

The Vendor Experience: Unexpected Energy and Connection

I went into this event expecting to be exhausted and drained from standing all day and talking to people nonstop. And yes, my legs and feet definitely felt it… but what surprised me most was the energy I walked away with.

I was filled up.

My favorite part was hearing people’s personal stories, where they came from, why they were there, and what they had experienced on their health journeys. So many shared how a meat-based diet had helped them heal or recover from chronic conditions. That was incredibly invigorating.

I was also amazed by how far people traveled, attendees came from all over the country, and even from other countries. That alone says something powerful about the hunger people have right now for answers and better health.

Workshops That Left an Impact

As a vendor, I didn’t get to attend many sessions, but I made it a point to sit in on two.

One was a teaching by Dr. Nathan Bryan on nitric oxide. It completely blew me away. Since then, I’ve spent time diving into his research and have even begun incorporating N1O1 into my practice with clients. The role of nitric oxide in circulation, healing, and overall health is something I believe is incredibly important.

The second was the female panel. While it didn’t introduce new information for me personally as a practitioner, I was deeply encouraged that these messages were being shared with a broader audience.

Two quotes that stuck with me:
“Butter won’t heal your hormones”
“You can’t heal menopause”

There was honesty in that room, and people needed to hear it.

The Zinc Taste Test: A Wake-Up Call

One of the most engaging things we offered at our booth was a zinc taste test, a simple functional assessment using liquid zinc.

The way it tastes (or doesn’t taste) can indicate zinc sufficiency in the body.

Here’s what we found:

Only 6% of people tested showed sufficient zinc levels, while over 84% tested deficient.

Let that sink in.

What made this even more interesting was how many people who tested deficient were already taking zinc supplements. That opened the door to some incredibly important conversations about absorption, bioavailability, and individual needs.

A Moment I Won’t Forget

This happened multiple times throughout the event.

Someone would walk up to the table confident, almost certain they were in excellent health. Sometimes it even felt like they were ready to

“pass the test” with flying colors.

But then they would take the zinc…

And everything would shift.

You could see it on their face. Their demeanor would drop. It was like a light bulb went off, but not in a celebratory way. It was a moment of realization… that maybe things weren’t as optimal as they thought.

Honestly, it was hard to watch.

But what stood out to me even more was what came next, the humility. The willingness to receive that information and sit with it. That’s when the real conversations began.

That’s where I was able to step in with encouragement, support, education, and hope.

And thankfully, those individuals didn’t walk away defeated, they walked away empowered. At least, that’s what I believe. I truly hope so.

The next step I offered many of them was a free personalized health assessment with custom feedback.

If you’re interested in that same offer (valued at over $150), you can apply here.

Why Zinc Matters for Overall Health

Zinc is one of the most important trace minerals in the body and plays a role in:

Immune system support
Taste and smell function
Hormone production and balance
Gut health and digestion
Skin healing and repair
Brain function and cognitive health
Inflammation regulation
Wound healing
Detoxification pathways
Fertility and reproductive health

Why You Might Be Deficient Even If You’re Supplementing

Some of the most common reasons include:

Poor gut absorption
Using a low-quality or poorly absorbed form of zinc
Missing cofactors needed for proper utilization
Increased demand due to stress or chronic illness
Mineral imbalances (such as copper)

These conversations reinforced something I say often:

We are all bio-individual.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to health.

*** Here's a fun fact for Carnivore's and Heavy Meat Eaters: You need zinc to make stomach acid, you need strong stomach acid to break down and digest proteins in meat, therefore your zinc needs may be greater than a typical person on the Standard American Diet. Also, having a meat aversion has been linked to zinc deficiency as well.

Common Questions I Was Asked During the Event

Do you put all your clients on a carnivore diet?
No. I meet each client where they are and create a plan tailored specifically to their needs.

Do you believe the carnivore diet can heal?
Absolutely. It’s actually what led me back to school. Watching my own family’s health transform so quickly on the carnivore diet opened my eyes to the power of nutrition. It can be a powerful therapeutic tool.

What nutrients are carnivores deficient in?
It varies, but after this event, zinc is clearly something I’m paying close attention to. Vitamin C is another. My own family experienced signs of low vitamin C, bleeding gums, slow wound healing, and easy bruising. My kids responded well to beef liver supplementation, while I personally needed additional vitamin C.

What are your thoughts on fasting?
Fasting can be incredibly powerful, but context matters. For some, it’s healing. For others, it can add stress to an already overwhelmed system.

Are you taking new clients?
Yes! And it would be an honor to support you.

Why This Matters: The Next Generation

One of the biggest takeaways from Meatstock was a renewed fire in me to educate the next generation.

This is exactly why I created Whole Health for Teens, an online course designed to equip high school students with foundational health knowledge, practical tools, and the confidence to make informed decisions about their bodies.

Because the truth is, we are a chronically ill nation.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

If we can teach our kids how to care for their health early on, we can change the trajectory entirely.

Final Thoughts

Being a vendor at Meatstock gave me a front-row seat to a community that is hungry, and not just for food, but for truth, healing, and freedom.

People are ready to take ownership of their health.

And that gives me so much hope.

If you’re ready to take ownership of your health and want personalized support, you can apply to work with me click here.

Disclaimer: The zinc test and information shared in this article are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for personalized medical care.

Cover Photo: by Rebecca Stuart of Booth

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