The Carnivore Lifestyle

Plater of steak

Carnivores eat only meat and animal products.

It is claimed to help with weight loss, mood problems, blood sugar regulation, and other health issues.

What is the diet of a carnivore?

Carnivores eat only meat, fish, eggs, and certain dairy products.

It does not include all other foods such as fruits, vegetables and legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, nuts, or grains.

Proponents of the diet recommend limiting or eliminating dairy intake from foods high in lactose, a sugar found mostly in milk and dairy products.

The controversial belief that humans ate a lot of meat and fish in their past is the root of the carnivore diet. The belief is that high carb diets have caused high levels of chronic diseases today.

Other low-carb diets like the keto or paleo restrict carb intake but do not exclude it. The carnivore lifestyle, however, aims to reduce all carbs as close to zero as possible.

How to follow the carnivore lifestyle

The diet requires you to eliminate all plant foods and eat only meat, fish, eggs, milk, and small quantities of low-lactose dairy products.

You can eat beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, turkey, and organ meats. Butter, lard, and bone marrow can also be eaten.

The diet advocates eating fatty meats to meet your daily energy requirements.

Carnivores should drink water and bone broth, but not tea or coffee.

The Carnivore diet may not provide any guidance on calorie intake, serving sizes, and how many meals or snacks you should eat each day. The diet advocates eating as many times as you want.

It can help you lose weight.

Weight loss may be possible due to certain aspects of the carnivore lifestyle. Studies have shown that low-carb and high-protein diets may lead to weight loss.

Protein can make you feel fuller after eating, which can lead to a reduction in calories and weight loss. You can also burn more calories by increasing your metabolism.

Following a carnivore diet will likely make you feel fuller and consume fewer calories.

The benefits of a carnivore diet

Carnivores are forbidden from eating carbs. This means that there is no eating cookies, cakes, candy or pastries or other high carb foods.

These foods are often low in nutrients and high in calories. They should therefore be restricted to healthy and balanced diets.

Diabetes sufferers may also find high-sugar foods to be problematic, as they can cause blood sugar spikes. To control diabetes, it is recommended that you limit refined carbs and sugary food intake.

There are downsides to the carnivore diet.

The carnivore diet has many drawbacks due to its restrictive nature and complete elimination from most food groups. Supplements can replace these shortfalls. 

High in fat, cholesterol, and sodium

Carnivores eat only animal food, so it is high in cholesterol and saturated fat.

Saturated fat can raise your LDL (bad cholesterol), which could increase your risk for heart disease.

Recent studies show that the association between saturated fat intakes and increased risk of heart disease may not be as strong as once thought.

Some micronutrients or beneficial plant compounds may not be available. Once again these can be made up with supplements.

Carnivores eat a diet that eliminates high-nutrition foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and other nutrients. All these foods contain valuable vitamins and minerals.

Fiber is not provided.

Fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate that promotes healthy bowel movements and gut health. It can only be found in plant foods or gut supplements.

Constipation may result from the carnivore diet’s lack of fiber.

Fiber is also essential for a healthy gut. Suboptimal gut health can cause a variety of problems and even lead to colon cancer.

Foods to eat.

Carnivores eat only animal products and exclude all other food.

A person following a carnivore diet may eat:

Meat: Beef, chicken, turkey, and organ meats.

Fish: salmon, mackerel, sardines, crab, lobster, tilapia, herring, etc.

Other animal products: eggs and lard; bone marrow, bone broth, and so on.

Low-lactose dairy (in small quantities): heavy cream and hard cheese, butter, etc.

Water

Some diet advocates say that salt, pepper, or seasonings with no carbohydrates are permitted.

Some people also choose yogurt, milk, or soft cheese. However, these foods are not usually included due to their carb content.

Avoid these foods.

Carnivores are not allowed to eat foods made from animal products.

These foods are restricted:

Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, green beans, peppers, etc.

Fruits: apples, berries, bananas, kiwi, oranges, etc.

High-lactose dairy: milk, yogurt, soft cheese, etc.

Legumes: beans, lentils, etc.

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, pumpkin seeds (sunflower seeds), pistachios, etc.

Grains: rice, wheat, bread, quinoa, pasta, etc.

Alcohol: beer, wine, liquor, etc.

Sugars: maple syrup, table sugar, brown sugar, and others.

Other beverages than water: sodas, tea, coffee, tea, and fruit juice, among others.

Some people may eat some of these foods, but a strict carnivore’s diet prohibits them.