What can you eat on a carnivore diet? - Chef's Resource (2024)

FAQs

What foods can I 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.

Joe Rogan's daily intake, while on the Carnivore Diet, primarily consisted of meat. He often mentioned consuming elk, bison, and other game meats, along with more traditional meats like beef. Organ meats, particularly liver, were also a part of his diet.

“It's possible that some people who have been eating a lot of refined starch and sugar may get better in the short run,” with the carnivore diet, Willett says. “But this sounds like a diet that is going to be very unhealthy in the long run.”

Jordan Peterson's diet is a restricted version of the Carnivore diet that focuses on only meat, salt, and water to mimic the traditional eating methods of our meat-eating ancestors to promote weight loss and improve various health issues, especially reducing inflammation.

Following the diet involves eliminating all plant foods from your diet and exclusively eating meat, fish, eggs, and small amounts of low-lactose dairy products. Foods to eat include beef, chicken, pork, lamb, turkey, organ meats, salmon, sardines, white fish, and small amounts of heavy cream and hard cheese.

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.

Dietitians dismiss the carnivore diet as an extreme fad diet, which has attracted criticism from dietitians and physicians as being potentially dangerous to health (see Meat § Health). It also raises levels of LDL cholesterol, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Foods to Avoid on the Carnivore Diet

Fruits and vegetables: These foods are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, they also have a higher glycemic index (GI), significantly impacting blood sugar for those with prediabetes and diabetes. For instance, watermelon, pineapple, and potatoes have a high GI.

Foods To Avoid

Although less restrictive versions of the carnivore diet exist, the following foods are usually restricted or completely avoided by those following this eating pattern: Fruit: Berries, apples, grapes, bananas, avocados, and peaches.

Carnivore Diet Cons. The cons of going carnivore are the lack of vitamins and minerals, it's high in fat, sodium and cholesterol and it has zero fiber.

What is the downfall 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.

Low-carb flu, characterized by symptoms like headaches, fatigue, nausea, confusion, and irritability, is a common side effect during the first week or two of a carnivore diet. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days to a couple of weeks.

Not only does the carnivore diet lack science-backed benefits, butGreene says it could also pose a huge risk to your overall health if you choose to follow it. “Those following the carnivore diet are more at risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to the lack of variety in the diet,” Greene says.

Steady Progress: Typical Timeline of Noticeable Changes. Once your body has adapted to the carnivore diet, you'll begin to notice more profound carnivore diet results around the 3-6 week mark. Weight loss can become apparent during this time, as your body continues to burn fat for energy.

Prominent Celebrity Advocates

Joe Rogan: The podcast host has publicized his experience with the carnivore diet, reporting positive changes in his health, including improved energy levels and weight loss.

On a strict carnivore diet, individuals consume meats, fish, eggs, and certain dairy products, relying on these for all their nutritional needs. Peanut butter, despite its popularity as a protein-rich food, stands in direct opposition to the principles of the carnivore diet due to its plant origin.

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.

Following the carnivore diet means no vegetables, grains or any plant-based foods. There is some anecdotal evidence, according to its proponents, that the carnivore diet can lead to weight loss and improve metabolism and autoimmune diseases.

Grains and Legumes: Foods such as wheat, rice, oats, corn, beans, lentils, and other grains and legumes are not consumed on a carnivore diet. Processed and Refined Foods: Processed and refined foods like bread, pasta, crackers, cookies, and other packaged foods containing plant-based ingredients are avoided.