Could eating only animal-based foods be the key to simplicity, satiety, and optimal health?
Over the past year, I’ve been on my own carnivore diet journey, and I’m thrilled to finally share my experience, tips, and plans for delicious carnivore-friendly recipes.
As someone who has embraced keto for over a decade, transitioning to carnivore felt like a natural next step, even if it’s short term.
While it may seem restrictive at first, I’ve discovered a world of flavor, nourishment, and benefits that I never imagined possible by prioritizing animal products.
From juicy steaks to nutrient-packed organ meats, the carnivore diet offers simplicity and health benefits that are hard to beat.
Whether you’re curious about this all-animal-food approach or ready to dive in, this post will break down the basics of the carnivore diet, including what to eat, its potential benefits, and how to get started.
Plus, stay tuned—soon, I’ll be sharing carnivore recipes to make your journey even easier. Let’s get started!
What Is The Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet is a simple yet radical approach to eating that focuses exclusively on animal-based foods.
At its core, it’s a diet that eliminates all plant foods—yes, vegetables and fruits—and relies entirely on animal foods: meat, fish, eggs, and animal fat for nourishment.
The idea is to consume nutrient-dense, protein-rich foods while cutting out all carbs, fiber, and plant-derived substances that may cause inflammation or digestive issues for some people.
Although it is a restrictive diet, the range of benefits for human nutrition made me very curious to try.
Carbohydrate intake makes it practically a zero carb diet by removing entire food groups.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what the carnivore diet looks like:
What You Can Eat on the Carnivore Diet
- Meat: All cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and other poultry. Think ribeye steaks, pork chops, and roasted chicken thighs.
- Seafood: Fish (like salmon, mackerel, or cod) and shellfish (such as shrimp, crab, or oysters).
- Animal Fats: Tallow, lard, butter, ghee (for those who tolerate dairy).
- Eggs: A versatile staple packed with protein and healthy fats.
- Organ Meats: Liver, heart, kidneys—nutrient powerhouses that provide vitamins and minerals.
- Bone Broth: A comforting, mineral-rich addition to meals.
- Dairy (optional): Some individuals include low-lactose dairy like hard cheeses and heavy cream.
What You Avoid
- All plant-based foods, including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
- Processed foods, oils (except animal fats), and anything with added sugars or carbohydrates.
Different Approaches To The Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. While the foundation is an all-animal-based diet, there are different ways to customize it based on your goals, lifestyle, and tolerance for certain foods. Let’s break down the main variations and provide examples for each:
1. Strict Carnivore
Strict carnivore focuses entirely on animal-based foods, with no exceptions. This approach avoids even the smallest amounts of plant-based products or seasonings. The idea is to eliminate all potential irritants and allergens to achieve optimal health.
- What to Eat:
- Ribeye steak cooked in tallow or butter.
- Grilled chicken thighs with salt.
- Bone broth made from beef or chicken bones.
- Organ meats like beef liver or heart.
- Who It’s For:
Ideal for those with severe autoimmune conditions, digestive issues, or food sensitivities seeking a complete elimination diet.
2. Relaxed Carnivore
Relaxed carnivore allows for small amounts of non-carnivore foods, like spices, coffee, or dairy. This approach is more flexible and easier to sustain long-term.
- What to Eat:
- A seared ribeye seasoned with black pepper and garlic powder.
- Eggs scrambled in butter with a touch of cream.
- Salmon cooked with lemon juice and dill.
- A morning coffee with a splash of heavy cream.
- Who It’s For:
Great for those who want to experience the benefits of carnivore while keeping a few indulgences or conveniences.
3. Keto Carnivore
Keto carnivore bridges the gap between the ketogenic diet and the carnivore diet. It prioritizes high-fat, moderate-protein foods to maintain ketosis, and may include small amounts of non-carnivore keto-friendly items like avocado or cheese.
- What to Eat:
- Fatty ground beef cooked in bacon grease.
- Pork belly with a side of guacamole
- Grilled salmon with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Hard cheeses like parmesan or cheddar as snacks.
- Who It’s For:
Perfect for those transitioning from keto to carnivore or who want to stay in ketosis while enjoying some keto staples.
4. Nose-to-Tail Carnivore
This approach emphasizes consuming the entire animal, not just muscle meat. It includes organ meats, bone marrow, connective tissues, and broths to maximize nutrient intake and minimize waste.
- What to Eat:
- Braised oxtail or beef shanks.
- Liver pâté or grilled chicken hearts.
- Bone broth made from marrow bones.
- Fried pork rinds made from skin.
- Who It’s For:
Best for those focused on nutrient density and sustainability, or those looking to supplement their diet with vitamins and minerals found in organ meats.
By understanding these variations, you can choose the approach that aligns with your goals and dietary needs. The beauty of the carnivore diet is its adaptability—whether you’re all-in on strict carnivore or taking a relaxed, keto-friendly route, there’s an option to suit everyone!
Possible Benefits Of The Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet isn’t just about simplifying your meals—it comes with a range of potential benefits backed by scientific research and countless anecdotal reports. Here’s a closer look at why many people are turning to this meat-based lifestyle:
1. Simplicity and Convenience
One of the most appealing aspects of the carnivore diet for me is its simplicity. With no need to count carbs or calories, meal planning becomes straightforward.
You don’t need a pantry full of ingredients—just quality meats, eggs, and a few fats. For busy individuals, this approach eliminates decision fatigue and streamlines meal prep.
2. Improved Metabolic Health
Studies suggest that low-carb, high-protein diets can significantly benefit metabolic health:
- A study published in Current Developments in Nutrition (2021) reported that individuals on the carnivore diet experienced improvements in blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, especially those managing type 2 diabetes.
- Many participants in the same study also reduced their reliance on diabetes medications while maintaining stable energy levels throughout the day.
3. Weight Loss and Appetite Control
Protein is the most satiating macronutrient, and the carnivore diet is naturally protein-dense. This helps:
- Curb cravings: Eating fatty cuts of meat can reduce the urge for snacks and sugar-laden foods.
- Promote fat loss: High protein intake can help preserve muscle mass while encouraging fat loss.
4. Reduced Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is linked to numerous health issues, including joint pain, autoimmune diseases, and even cardiovascular problems. By removing potential irritants like gluten, plant-based lectins, and seed oils, the carnivore diet may help reduce inflammation.
- Anecdotal reports often highlight relief from autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease after adopting a meat-based diet.
5. Improved Gut Health
While fiber is traditionally thought to be essential for digestive health, some individuals experience bloating, gas, or other gastrointestinal issues when consuming plant-based fibers.
The carnivore diet eliminates these potential triggers:
- A study from NIH found that many people reported improved digestion, reduced bloating, and fewer IBS symptoms when eliminating plant-based foods.
6. Enhanced Mental Clarity and Energy
Many carnivore dieters report significant improvements in mental clarity, focus, and overall energy levels:
- This could be due to stabilized blood sugar levels, the absence of plant-based anti-nutrients, or the brain’s preference for ketones as a fuel source.
7. Potential Benefits for Autoimmune Conditions
By eliminating plant-based foods that contain potential allergens or irritants, the carnivore diet may help manage symptoms of autoimmune diseases. While research in this area is limited, early studies and anecdotal evidence suggest promising results for conditions like eczema, lupus, and psoriasis.
7 Day Carnivore Diet Meal Plan
Day 1
Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs in butter, 2 sausages
Lunch: Grilled ribeye steak (8 oz), bone broth (1 cup
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Dinner: Pan-seared salmon (6 oz) with ghee, 1 egg
Day 2
Breakfast: Omelet with 3 eggs & cheese, 3 slices bacon
Lunch: Roasted pork belly (6 oz), pork rinds
Dinner: Grilled lamb chops (6 oz), bone marrow
Day 3
Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, 2 slices ham
Lunch: Roasted chicken thighs (skin-on, 2 pieces)
Dinner: Beef liver (4 oz) sautéed in butter, bone broth
Day 4
Breakfast: 3 soft-boiled eggs, 2 slices pork belly
Lunch: Ground beef patties (6 oz) with butter
Dinner: Pan-fried cod in butter, bone broth (1 cup)
Day 5
Breakfast: 3 fried eggs in tallow, 3 beef sausages
Lunch: Grilled sirloin steak (6 oz), poached egg
Dinner: Braised oxtail (8 oz), bone marrow
Day 6
Breakfast: Omelet with 3 eggs & diced chicken, bacon
Lunch: Pan-seared salmon (6 oz), bone broth (1 cup)
Dinner: Grilled pork chops (8 oz), pork rinds
Day 7
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with cheese, 3 slices bacon
Lunch: Grilled chicken wings (6 pieces), hard-boiled egg
Reflecting On My Carnivore Journey
When I decided to try the carnivore diet, it wasn’t about committing to a lifelong way of eating—it was about giving my body a chance to reset.
By focusing solely on animal-based foods, I approached this as an elimination diet, removing potential dietary triggers to see how they might be affecting my health. What I discovered has been eye-opening.
This experience has taught me so much about how food impacts my body. While I may not stay on a strict carnivore diet forever, I’ve gained valuable insights that will guide me as I begin reintroducing other foods.
I feel more in tune with my body and better equipped to make choices that support my health moving forward.
If you’ve been curious about the carnivore diet, even just for a season, I encourage you to give it a try. It’s a powerful tool for simplifying your meals, identifying triggers, and gaining clarity about what your body truly needs.
For me, it’s been a transformative journey—and one I’m so grateful I took.
To me, the carnivore diet has been so much more than just a way to eat—it’s been a tool for healing and discovery.
By stripping my diet down to only animal-based foods, I gave my body the chance to reset and identify how certain foods were impacting my health. I approached it as an elimination diet, and that perspective has been a game-changer.
I started this journey because I wanted to heal and pinpoint the dietary triggers that might be holding me back. And while I don’t see myself following a strict carnivore diet forever, I can honestly say that this experience has taught me so much.
As I begin reintroducing other foods, I now have a clearer understanding of what works for me and what doesn’t.
If you’re curious about the carnivore diet, even just for a season, I encourage you to give it a try. Whether you’re looking to simplify your meals, address specific health concerns, or gain insight into your body’s needs, this approach can be incredibly empowering.
It’s been a transformative journey for me, and I’m so grateful for all I’ve learned along the way. Who knows? It might just be the reset you’ve been looking for too.
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Grab Our Books!
In case you don’t know, we have two books for you, Essential Keto Bread and Essential Keto Desserts, both inspired by your requests over the years.
It’s our prayer these keto cookbooks will help make keto a delicious breeze for you.
Join Our Jesus And Keto Movement
Looking for an online support system to help you stay the course on keto? As a family, we came to the keto diet, looking at it from a Christian perspective.
As believers, we live our lives supported by God’s grace.
So when the Holy Spirit led us to combine our Christian faith and the keto diet, we did so in hopes of finding lasting transformation.
When we followed the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we got on the path to real transformation.
Knowing firsthand the benefits of this decision, we have created a closed Christian group that is using the keto diet to transform their lives.
We invite you to join our Private Facebook Group and see if it’s not the key you have been missing.
Be sure to request our FREE Jesus and Keto E-Book (First 7 Days). We hope it blesses you.
Join Our Jesus And Keto Movement
In case you don’t know, my husband Randy and I came to the keto diet looking at it from a Christian perspective. As believers, we live our lives supported by God’s grace.
So when the Holy Spirit led us to combine our Christian faith and the keto diet, we did so in hopes of finding lasting transformation.
To say we needed God’s intervention is putting it mildly. When we followed the Holy Spirit’s prompting to we got on the path to real transformation.
Knowing firsthand the benefits of this decision, we have created a closed Christian group that is using the keto diet to transform their lives. We invite you to join our Private Facebook Group and see if it’s not the key you have been missing.
Fit To Serve Group Keto App
Looking for a fast way to access our keto recipes? We’ve got you covered. There’s an app for that. Yup, there’s a Fit To Serve Group App and it’s going to make your keto diet a delicious breeze!
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Plus, bonus recipes that are exclusive to the app. You can also create personal cookbooks to organize your favorite recipes.
Search recipes by title, ingredients, keywords, and categories, and of course every recipe shows complete nutritional facts.
Get the Fit to Serve Group App for easy-to-follow keto recipes made with easy-to-source ingredients.