What Is a Modified Carnivore Diet? 4 Simple Diets to Try

The carnivore diet has been getting a lot of buzz lately, and for good reason.

People love its simplicity and benefits like weight loss and higher energy.

You want to explore the carnivore diet, but going full-on meat-only might not be your cup of tea.

Because let's be honest, not everyone wants to say goodbye to the tasty foods we’re used to.

Maybe you crave some variety in your meals, or you're just not ready to say goodbye to all your favorite snacks.

You might be worried about missing out on essential vitamins and minerals, or you have unique dietary needs that require a more flexible approach.

But did you know, you can also modify your carnivore diet?

In this blog post, we’ll dive into modifying the standard carnivore diet and give you five modified carnivore diet meal plans to try.

So, if you're excited to try out a carnivore-inspired eating plan that fits your style, stick around.

What Is the Standard Carnivore Diet Meal Plan?

The carnivore diet is a meat-centric diet that primarily consists of animal-based foods.

Here's a snapshot of what's on the menu:

Lean meats: Think beef, poultry, pork, and lamb. These are your proteins, and they should be the main stars of your carnivore diet.
Fatty cuts: Don't shy away from fattier cuts of meat like ribeye steak or pork belly. They provide essential fats that your body needs.
Fish: Include fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. They're not only delicious but also rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Eggs: Eggs are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats. They're versatile and can be a staple in your carnivore diet.
Dairy (optional): Some carnivore dieters include dairy products like butter and cheese. However, it's often a matter of personal preference.
Salt: Most carnivore purists stick to plain meat and only use salt to add flavor.
Water: Stay well-hydrated with water, which is essential for digestion and overall health.

Notice what's missing? Fruits, vegetables, grains, and most plant-based foods are not part of the standard carnivore diet.

Why does the carnivore diet work?

The idea is to provide your body with rich sources of protein and essential nutrients while eliminating potentially problematic plant-based foods.

Why Should You Modify the Carnivore Diet?

The standard carnivore diet is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, you can’t deny the benefits that it can give you.

You still want to eat carnivore style, but you don’t want to go full carnivore. You want a hybrid carnivore diet that still has varieties.

But here’s the thing: there are good reasons why you should modify your carnivore diet.

Let's dig into five of them:

Reason #1: Variety

The classic carnivore diet is all about the meat — and some of us just can't resist the temptation of variety.

We love exploring different flavors and textures beyond what's typically found in a meat-only menu.

After all, food is meant to be enjoyed, right?

Reason #2: Nutritional Balance

As much as we adore meats, we also recognize the importance of a well-rounded diet.

The standard carnivore diet can be a little bit restrictive when it comes to certain essential nutrients. It takes very careful planning to ensure you’re getting everything you need — for instance, eating the right organ meats such as beef liver (or supplementing).

By making some modifications, you can ensure that you're getting a broader spectrum of vitamins and minerals.

Reason #3: Dietary Preferences

We're all unique, and so are our taste buds.

Some of us have dietary preferences that don't align with the strict carnivore plan.

It might be a personal choice, cultural factors, or ethical considerations that lead you to explore different diet plans.

Reason #4: Lifestyle Fit

Let’s face it: the traditional carnivore diet might not easily fit into your everyday life.

Reason #5: Health Considerations

While the carnivore diet has its perks, it might not be ideal for everyone, especially those with specific health concerns.

Some individuals may need to tweak their diet to accommodate their unique health needs and goals.

4 Modified Carnivore Diets to Try

Now, let's delve into four modified carnivore diets for your taste, preferences, and dietary needs.

Each of these modified diets is unique, while staying true to the core principles of the carnivore lifestyle.

Let's explore them in more detail:

Diet #1: The Meat and Fruit Carnivore Diet

The Meat and Fruit Carnivore Diet is ideal if you want to live a carnivore lifestyle but you still want access to some natural forms of carbs — as well as plentiful antioxidants.

It allows you to explore different combinations to make your carnivore diet fun and delicious. It also allows you to switch up what you’re eating and still get the nutrients you need.

For some people, the goal is to remain in ketosis for health or weight loss reasons. In this case, you’ll want to watch your sugar intake and keep it below about 50 grams per day.

For others, the goal is to stay out of ketosis, and to get a wealth of different kinds of nutrients from different fruits while still keeping fat and protein high.

Here are some foods you can enjoy on The Meat and Fruit Carnivore Diet:

A variety of meats: This includes beef, chicken, pork, and lamb. Feel free to choose what suits your palate.
Fatty cuts: In this diet, we’re still sticking to the fattier cuts of meat like ribeye steak or pork belly.
Eggs: Eggs are a fantastic source of protein and healthy fats, making them a versatile addition to your diet.
Additional seasonings: Add a little zest to your meals with seasonings like salt, pepper, and herbs.
Low-sugar fruit: Try berries like strawberries and blackberries. Avocado can also be a great way to add healthy fat.

Diet #2: The Seafood Carnivore Diet

If you're a big fan of seafood, The Seafood Carnivore Diet is definitely for you.

You get to savor the rich, briny flavors of various seafood while staying true to carnivore principles.

Here are some foods you can enjoy on The Seafood Carnivore Diet:

A variety of seafood: This diet consists of different seafood, including salmon, shrimp, mussels, and more.
Lean fish: If you prefer a lighter option, include lean fish like cod and halibut in your seafood feast.
Seafood seasonings: Enhance the flavors of your seafood with seasonings like Old Bay or a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Diet #3: The Greenish Carnivore Diet

The Greenish Carnivore Diet is perfect for you if you want a more balanced diet.

I know this sounds contradictory to the carnivore diet, but with this diet, you’ll still mainly eat meat — just with a dash of greens.

It lets you enjoy the benefits of animal-based foods while reaping the health benefits of leafy greens and low-carb veggies.

Here are some foods you can enjoy on The Greenish Carnivore Diet:

A mix of meats and greens: In this diet, you combine meat with low-carb vegetables like spinach and kale. It's a fusion of carnivore and plant-based goodness.
Low-carb vegetables: Add veggies such as broccoli and asparagus to your plate for a broader range of nutrients.
Healthy fats: Enhance the taste and satiety of your meals with a drizzle of olive oil or a pat of butter.
Green supplements: A supplement like our Animal-Based Green Supplement gives you greens, reds, and organ meat in the same capsule.

Diet #4: The Ancestral Diet

The idea here is to eat like our ancestors did— which many people believe supports our evolutionary physiology.

The modern diet has changed a great deal from the way we evolved to eat. The theory is that if we return to how we were intended to eat, we’ll see massive health benefits. (Obviously, we subscribe to this diet wholeheartedly. If you couldn’t tell.)

This diet removes processed foods, grains, refined sugar, most vegetable oils, and over-cultivated fruits and vegetables.

Here’s what you’ll add into this diet:

Fatty meat cuts: Our ancestors relied much more on fat than sugar. So don’t be afraid of the ribeye or pork belly.
Organ meat: This is one of our ancestors’ prime ways to get much-needed nutrients. They ate liver, heart, kidney, and other organs. Our Beef Liver Supplement is a great place to start.
Some dairy products: Butter, milk, and cheese all work well with the Ancestral diet.

Vegetables: Aim for organic leafy green vegetables (spinach, parsley, cilantro, lettuce, etc.) and vegetables you could theoretically grow yourself (brocolli, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini, etc.)

Fruits: Low-sugar options include berries like strawberries and blackberries. Avocado can also be a great way to add healthy fat.
Ancient grains (optional): These include quinoa, amaranth, sorghum, and chia.

Getting Your Nutrients on the Carnivore Diet

It takes planning to get the right nutrients on a carnivore diet.

But what if there’s something you can do to make it even easier?

That’s why we created our Grass-Fed Beef Liver Supplement. Beef liver provides essential nutrients, including vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, and more.

Whether you're following a modified carnivore diet, an ancestral diet, or just want an easy way to be healthy, our Grass-Fed Beef Liver Supplement can help support you every step of the way.

Click here to try the Grass-Fed Beef Liver Capsules today.

Achieving your dietary goals has never been easier.

What Is a Modified Carnivore Diet? 4 Simple Diets to Try - Ancestral Supplements (2024)

FAQs

What is the ancestral carnivore diet? ›

Foods to eat include beef, chicken, pork, lamb, turkey, organ meats, salmon, sardines, white fish, and small amounts of heavy cream and hard cheese. Butter, lard, and bone marrow are also allowed. Proponents of the diet emphasize eating fatty cuts of meat to reach your daily energy needs.

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What is a modified carnivore diet? ›

For psychologist Jordan Peterson, modified carnivore looks like the meat, salt, and water diet with the addition of cooked leafy greens. After all these modifications one thing remains constant–fatty ruminant meats rule, accounting for the vast majority of calories.

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What is an ancestral diet? ›

Put simply; it is a diet based on the foods our ancestors consumed. This can be confusing as people from different regions consumed different foods. Those living close to the sea may have consumed more seafood, while those living inland may have eaten more red meat.

What is the zero carnivore diet? ›

Answer: The carnivore diet meal plan only allows consumption of meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, fish, some dairy products, and water. You need to exclude all vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts. That's why it is sometimes referred to as the "zero carb" diet.

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Did our ancestors eat carnivore diet? ›

The diet of the earliest hominins was probably somewhat similar to the diet of modern chimpanzees: omnivorous, including large quantities of fruit, leaves, flowers, bark, insects and meat (e.g., Andrews & Martin 1991; Milton 1999; Watts 2008).

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What kind of meat did our ancestors eat? ›

First, even the earliest evidence of meat-eating indicates that early humans were consuming not only small animals but also animals many times larger than their own body size, such as elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and giraffes, whereas chimpanzees only hunt animals much smaller than themselves.

What Is a Modified Carnivore Diet? 4 Simple Diets to Try - Ancestral Supplements (2024)