What Can You Eat on the Carnivore Diet? (2024)

The carnivore dietis becoming increasingly popular with people who are looking for an alternative to the regular ketogenic diet in an effort to reduce inflammation caused by foods, eliminate food groups that cause digestion problems, or are looking for a more satisfying way to lose weight. While the name "Carnivore Diet" makes it clear that the diet relies primarily on meat, there are some complexities that you'll want to consider before beginning. We are going to get in-depth and explore the options you've got for making great-tasting meals on the carnivore diet.

Golden Rule of the Carnivore Diet

The golden rule of the carnivore diet is that you eat just meat. Sounds like the best diet ever, right? Choosing the right types of meat and how the meat is prepared is part of how you get the meat-only diet to work for you. Eating just bacon all day isn't going to get you the results you are looking for, but eating nothing but chicken breast is going to get boring fast. Choosing the best, healthiest meats and preparing a meal plan that provides you with the nutrition and flavor you are after.

Carnivore Diet Food List: What to Eat On the Carnivore Diet

Just eating meat sounds simple enough until you get a craving for pizza, waffles, or tacos. That's when you start to realize how limiting the carnivore diet can be. Even little things, like getting perfect flavors, can be a challenge. We are going to help by breaking down how you can make good choices to have satisfying meals even with limited ingredients.

Making Good Meat Choices

One key aspect of the carnivore diet is that you want to focus on meats that offer plenty of animal fat, protein, and other important nutrients. We know that certain types of meat have different nutrients, vitamins, and minerals along with different levels of fat. Since the carnivore diet is focused on encouraging your body to burn fat instead of carbs, you want to avoid carbs as much as possible.

Seafood

One of the smartest meats you can eat on a carnivore diet plan includes a good mixture of seafood. It doesn't have to always be lake trout, either. You can add scallops, shrimp, clams, and other shellfish, along with interesting types of fish you'll see in the freezer section. Good choices include salmon, which has some of the highest Omega-3 fatty acids you'll find in fish, and choices like swai, a type of catfish from Southeast Asia that cooks up clean and slightly sweet.

Organ Meats

Beef liver is one of those things that isn't on the top of everyone's favorite foods lists. Cooking beef liver just right is really the secret to getting good flavor, and it should be one of the animal products you include on your carnivore meal plan. Liver is a nutrient-dense animal protein that can be useful in lots of interesting ways and is one of the best ways to make sure you are getting enough vitamin c on the carnivore diet. We've even seen beef liver pancakes out there.

Pork Skin

One of the most versatile animal products to add to a carnivore keto diet is pork skin. Fried up, it's often called pork rind or chicharrones. Either way, properly fried, the skin and fat become light and airy, while the healthy fats also add lots of flavor. A carnivore diet doesn't really have a food pyramid since it's only animal products, but if it did, pork rinds would be one of the larger parts of the pyramid.

Eggs

Incorporating eggs into your meal plan is essential. In fact, when you are making your carnivore diet shopping list, pick up five dozen eggs at a time. You'll want hard-boiled eggs on hand for snacks, plus you'll often have hard-boiled eggs with lunch and hard-boiled eggs at dinner. Eggs are a protein and nutrient-dense food source that promotes gut health benefits.

Meats to Avoid

You'll want to avoid some types of meat on the carnivore diet food list. In particular, many processed meats are not healthy and may contain unacceptable amounts of products that are not part of the carnivore diet food pyramid. Some of the items that should not appear on your carnivore diet food list include pepperoni and other processed meat snacks. Many types of bacon use lots of preservatives and other ingredients, and dairy products can contain higher levels of carbohydrates. Identifying low lactose dairy products and adding them to your carnivore diet meal plan can help you lose body fat while maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

Most Nutrient Dense Carnivore Foods

The carnivore diet involves eating nutrient-rich meats that are often high in saturated fat. You can modify low-fat meats like chicken by addingbone brothand bone marrow, two options that offer exceptional nutritional value. Bone broth is also ideal as a post-workout snack for individuals who are trying to gain muscle.

By far the best thing to add to your regular diet to ensure that you are getting the proper nutrition is beef liver. Beef liver has tons of benefits for carnivore dieters, including being an excellent source of Vitamin C and other essential nutrients. If eating beef liver just isn't your thing, try adding it to ground beef patties.

The Best Ways to Source Carnivore Foods

While the carnivore diet consists of eating lots of meat, sourcing the best quality meat is just as important on such a restrictive diet. By consuming the right kinds of meat and the best quality of meat, you'll limit the risk of colon cancer and kidney failure, while ensuring healthy bowel movements. When possible, the best way for you to source meat is to go big. Many people will find they can buy quarter or half-cuts of animals for several dollars per pound and then you'll have the freedom to make the cuts you want and have the best all-meat diet.

When sourcing meat, if you can't go directly to the source, you should try and find animal foods that have clear labeling that indicates whether the meat is grass-fed, antibiotic-free, and properly harvested.Grass-fed meat is considered to be more nutritiousthan grain-fed and arguably is more appropriate for an elimination diet.

You'll also find differences in the nutritious value of high lactose dairy products. Choosing goat milk over cow milk might be a better option for many carnivore diets. Keeping to a zero-carb diet is more challenging if you are going to add milk, butter, and other dairy products.

Plant-Based Foods that are Okay

While carnivore dieters avoid plant foods, there are some plant-based foods you can keep. Generally, this will be things like seasonings that you use to add flavor to the meat you are eating. The belief is that most of these herbs and spices are contributing such limited amounts of harmful plant foods that there is a negligible effect.

Time to Get Creative

Eating an all-meat diet doesn't have to be boring. What you'll need to do is find interesting ways to incorporate different types of fatty meat and other animal products in different ways to provide an interesting carnivore diet food pyramid. Though a bacon lunch sounds great, it can get boring when you are following the carnivore diet. Incorporating different types of red meat – like wild game, lamb, and even exotic meat like alligator – can help you have a diverse meal plan that meets the needs of your diet whether you are trying to build muscle, lose weight, or reduce inflammation.

What Can You Eat on the Carnivore Diet? (2024)

FAQs

What Can You Eat on the Carnivore Diet? ›

You can eat red meat like steak, burgers, and chuck roast. Chicken, lamb, and pork are also ok. Fish like salmon and trout, and seafood such as oysters and clams are on the list. And if you like organ meats such as liver and oxtail, feel free to eat them too.

What are you allowed to eat on the carnivore diet? ›

How does the carnivore diet work? The diet is a form of ketogenic diet, and works by eliminating all plant-based foods and solely eating meat, fish, eggs and small amounts of low-lactose dairy foods. Chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, beef, organ meats, oily and white fish, hard cheese, butter and cream are all allowed.

How do you eat enough on a carnivore? ›

If you're struggling to get enough food in your carnivore diet, here are some tips and recommendations to try: Add whey or protein powder to meals. Consider eating smaller meals more frequently to better absorb all nutrients.

What food groups are allowed in the carnivore diet? ›

On a carnivore diet, you can eat red meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. The diet excludes all produce, as well as grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Dairy is sometimes allowed.

What are the don'ts of the carnivore diet? ›

The carnivore diet plan is simple; you only eat animal foods and products. Everything else is restricted. That means no fruits, no vegetables, no bread or grains, and limiting your dairy intake to low-lactose foods. It's almost the complete opposite of a vegan diet.

Can I eat McDonald's on the carnivore diet? ›

To go carnivore at McDonald's, use the touch screen to order a burger, then go to the edit screen and delete the bun, pickles, and all condiments. Alternatively, when ordering at the counter, simply ask for plain patties.

Can you eat deli meat on carnivore diet? ›

Grass-fed, pasture-raised meats and wild-caught seafood are ideal for the carnivore diet. Although strict carnivore eating is meat only, many carnivore enthusiasts also include eggs and full-fat dairy products in their menus. Participants should limit processed meats (including deli lunch meats).

What is the 80 20 rule for carnivore diet? ›

Some carnivore enthusiasts even go for an 80/20 carnivore diet. This means 80% fat and 20% protein — no carbs at all. This fat-to-protein ratio carnivore diet is typically for experienced people on a carnivore diet.

How to get enough protein on a carnivore diet? ›

The Carnivore diet macros ratio is about 50 to 75 percent fat, 20 to 35 percent protein, and 0 to 5 percent carbs. To hit these macros, prioritize fatty cuts of meat (chuck, ribeye, chicken thigh), fatty fish (salmon, sardines, anchovies), and eggs.

What happens if I don't eat enough fat on a carnivore diet? ›

Meeting your fat carnivore diet macro goals will protect you from protein poisoning. If you eat too much protein and not enough fat you will get protein poisoning. This condition occurs when your liver can no longer upregulate urea synthesis needed to metabolize protein.

What is a carnivore menu? ›

The carnivore diet is a restrictive diet that only includes meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products. It excludes all other foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds.

What dairy is OK on carnivore diet? ›

Raw dairy products are a great way to get in additional healthy fats for long lasting energy. Enjoy raw cheese, raw butter, raw cream, raw milk, and raw kefir. Eat fruits and raw honey if you choose! Use a high quality salt to season your meat.

What can I drink on carnivore? ›

The carnivore diet offers limited drink options due to its strict avoidance of sugar and preference for animal products. However, options like black coffee, green tea, and bone broth align with the diet's requirements and offer significant health benefits.

What is the dark side of carnivore diet? ›

The carnivore diet can lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease because it prioritizes foods that are high in saturated fat, such as fatty steaks, which can elevate cholesterol levels, Arsenault says. Meanwhile, eliminating fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds could increase your risk.

What does a day of carnivore diet look like? ›

This kind of diet usually calls for grass-fed, pasture-raised meats and wild-caught seafood. Most carnivore dieters fill their cart with “nose-to-tail” cuts of meat and fish, which can include organ meats as well as oft-overlooked parts of the animal ranging from fish eyes to bone marrow.

What is the healthiest carnivore diet? ›

If considering a carnivore approach, aim for animal-based foods with the most significant nutrient density. For example, consider organic dairy, grass-fed beef and pork products, poultry raised without antibiotics, wild fish and shellfish, and pasture-raised eggs.

What do carnivores eat for breakfast? ›

Nutritionally dense, a carnivore diet breakfast packs a powerful punch of essential nutrients. Animal-based foods, such as eggs, bacon, sausage, and steak, offer a treasure trove of high-quality proteins, vital amino acids, and essential fats.

Can I have coffee on a carnivore diet? ›

Yes, you can drink coffee on a carnivore diet. Despite its plant origin, many followers of the carnivore diet still consume coffee, considering caffeine's stimulating properties. However, caution must be taken as excessive intake of caffeine may add stress to the body's metabolism and disrupt sleep patterns.

Is peanut butter OK on carnivore diet? ›

Restricted Foods on the Carnivore Diet

No Legumes: This prescribes the exclusion of foods like peanuts and therefore peanut butter. No Processed Foods: Only whole, unprocessed animal products are allowed. No High-Lactose Dairy: Milk and other high-lactose dairy products may be limited for some individuals.

Is bacon ok on a carnivore diet? ›

The carnivore diet is characterized by the exclusion of plant-based foods such as grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Those following the diet strictly consume animal products, which means that bacon is an appropriate food choice provided it does not contain additives sourced from plants.

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