A study conducted on 2029 participants (67% males) found that 93% consumed a carnivore diet for 14 months primarily for health reasons. Furthermore, participants also noted high levels of improvement and satisfaction in general health (95%), well-being (66%–91%), and various medical conditions (48%–98%) (1).
What Is The Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet is a restrictive diet that emphasizes the consumption of animal-based products like fish, meat, eggs, and dairy products. It omits all other kinds of foods, including vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts, whole grains, and legumes. An American orthopedic doctor, Shawn Baker, tailored and popularized this eating pattern. This diet is almost similar to the ketogenic diet and may help in losing weight (2). Since this diet is high in fat as well, it may promote heart health and reduce inflammation (3). Since this diet eliminates fiber-rich foods. A reduced fiber intake may also help improve digestion by reducing bloating (4). Health experts do not recommend the carnivore diet for the long term, but this diet still has numerous followers. Scroll to the next section to find out what an expert dietitian thinks about this diet.
Does The Carnivore Diet Work? What Samantha Blanton, RDN, Says
Samantha Blanton , RDN, says, “The carnivore diet instructs you to eat only meat and animal products, which includes plenty of protein, some fats, and no carbohydrates. When carbohydrates are cut out of the diet, you will lose weight quickly, simply because you are losing water weight. This is because, for every gram of stored carb in your body, there are about 3–4 grams of water attached to it. So with the stored carbs now being depleted from your body, that extra water has also been depleted.” She also adds, “As the carnivore diet mentions, you should only adhere to this diet temporarily. For this reason, once you start consuming carbs again and fall back into your normal eating patterns, the water weight will also return. Therefore, the carnivore diet, when adhered to short-term, may result in some weight loss, but not overall fat loss. I recommend reaching out to a registered dietitian or a professional who specializes in weight loss before starting the carnivore diet. That way, they can help you create weight loss goals that are more suitable for your body and that will last long-term.” Check out the next section to learn about the breakfast options for this diet.
Carnivore Diet Recipes For Breakfast
1. Cheesy Carnivore Omelets
What You Need
4 large eggs 50g meat (ground) 50g yogurt 20g mozzarella cheese Salt and pepper for seasoning 3 teaspoons oil
How To Prepare
2. Carnivore Waffles
What You Need
2 eggs 300g raw breakfast sausage 8 teaspoons flour 2 teaspoons butter A pinch of salt and pepper
How To Prepare
3. Pancake Patties
What You Need
300g breakfast sausage 2 eggs 1 cup sweetener 150 ml coconut milk 1 teaspoon oil
How To Prepare
Carnivore Diet Recipes For Lunch
1. Fish Stock Recipe
What You Need
8 fish pieces 2 tablespoons butter 1 onion (sliced) ½ cup dry white wine ¼ cup parsley (finely chopped) 1 bay leaf 4 whole peppercorns
How To Prepare
2. Pot Steak Soup
What You Need
400g fresh steak and bones 1 tablespoon salt 800 ml water ½ tablespoon pepper powder 1 tablespoon vinegar 2 pods of garlic
How To Prepare
3. Whole Grilled Chicken
What You Need
3-pound whole chicken 4 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons smoked salt Seasoning ingredients
How To Prepare
Carnivore Diet Snack Recipes
1. Steaky Nuggets
What You Need
1 big steak (cut into small pieces) 1 egg 3 teaspoons oil 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon lime juice ¼ cup mayonnaise ½ cup cheese
Method
2. Chicken Wings
What You Need
10 chicken wings 1 tablespoon parsley 1 tablespoon salt ½ tablespoon ground black pepper ¼ teaspoon butter ½ cup cheese
How To Prepare
3. Meatballs
What You Need
500g ground beef 1 cup cheese 1 egg 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon garlic powder
How To Prepare
Carnivore Diet Dinner Recipes
1. Carnivore Stroganoff
What You Need
300g ground beef ¼ cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon salt
How To Prepare
2. Beef Patties With Onion Gravy
What You Need
500g ground beef 2 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 small onion 1 cup chicken broth Seasoning ingredients
How To Prepare
3. Chicken Liver Pate
What You Need
500g chicken liver ½ cup butter 2 cloves of garlic 1 tablespoon parsley ½ teaspoon salt 1 shallot ¼ teaspoon black pepper
How To Prepare What desserts can you have on a carnivore diet? You can have carnivore cake, carnivore egg pudding, or no-bake cheesecake amidst other egg-based options. How many eggs can I eat on a carnivore diet? You may have up to 6 eggs per day on a carnivore diet. What can I drink on a carnivore diet? Water and bone broth are the drinks encouraged on a carnivore diet. Which is better, keto or carnivore? The keto diet, though carbs-restrictive, is better than a carnivore diet, as it gives you more wholesome options for low-carb meals. You are not just restricted to animal protein on a keto diet. What are the side effects of the carnivore diet? It might lead to high LDL cholesterol levels and affect your heart and kidney health. Can I drink coffee on a carnivore diet? Carnivore diet eliminates all plant-based food items, and thus you can not have coffee on this diet. How long should you do the carnivore diet? While a carnivore diet may take anywhere between 3 days to a few weeks to show results, you should not follow it for more than 6 days at a stretch. It is not healthy in the long-term and may lead to nutrient deficiencies, and cholesterol imbalance among its other side effects. Can you eat deli meat on a carnivore diet? You can opt for fresh deli meats and avoid pre-packaged ones to prevent intake of salt and preservatives. Can you drink milk on a carnivore diet? You can have low-lactose dairy products in moderation along with meat-based recipes when on the carnivore diet. Is vodka okay on a carnivore diet? Vodka or any sort of alcohol is not encouraged on a carnivore diet.
Illustration: Carnivore Diet Recipes For Breakfast Lunch Snacks & Dinner
Discover mouthwatering carnivore diet recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your primal cravings. From chicken wings to succulent lamb chops, embark on a carnivorous culinary adventure like no other. Check out the video below!
