In recent years, the carnivore diet has become increasingly popular as a way to lose weight and improve overall health. Many people find it highly effective and see amazing results.
In this post, I will share some of the best carnivore diet tips to help you get started and succeed on your journey:
1. Don’t Focus on Just Beef
Beef is great- it’s tasty and nutrient-dense. It’s no wonder so many people on the carnivore diet choose it as their main source of meat, with some even claiming it is superior to other meats.
However, there is no reason to limit yourself solely to beef. Chicken, pork, lamb, and other meats are just as nutritious and can provide variety to your diet. Don’t believe the PUFA-fearing hype; PUFA from animal sources is much less of a concern than PUFA from plants.
You can find many carnivore recipes on my website. Check them out– there are so many to choose from!
2. Prepare Food Ahead of Time
Carb addiction is real, and switching to a carnivore diet can make it hard to stay away from carbs. To make it easier, try to prepare your meals ahead of time. This way, you never end up in a situation where you have to choose between the right food and convenience.
There were many times when I didn’t have time to cook a carnivore meal, so I just grabbed whatever was closest. Over time, carb addiction becomes less of a problem, but if you can prevent it by preparing ahead, why not?
3. The Right Balance of Fat
One of my best tips for carnivore diet success is to ensure you are getting a proper balance of fat in your diet. Too much is not good, but too little can also be a problem. It’s best to listen to your body and adjust your fat intake accordingly. If you feel like eating a fatty cut of meat, go for it!
But if you’re feeling overly full or sluggish after a meal, try reducing the amount of fat in your next one. This will help ensure you’re getting the right balance of fat in your diet.
4. Stay on Track When Going Out
When you go out with friends, it can be hard to stay on track with your carnivore diet. Fortunately, almost any restaurant will have some type of meat-based dish on the menu.
Regarding drinks, stick to water, tea, or coffee. Sparkling water is also a great option. Let your friends know you’re on a carnivore diet, and ask them not to tempt you with other food options.
5. Avoiding Coffee and Tea
Many people are addicted to coffee, and some to tea. I don’t think these drinks are the biggest enemies of the carnivore diet, but they won’t help in the long run. Coffee can be an appetite suppressant, and its diuretic effect can lead to dehydration.
Tea contains tannins and other compounds that can interfere with the absorption of nutrients. So, if you can, try to step away from coffee and tea. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it in the end.
6. Don’t Count Calories
Counting calories is the norm for many people. But on the carnivore diet, you don’t need to count calories.
In fact, because the body is not a closed system like a machine, counting calories is just plain wrong and won’t give you an accurate picture of your energy intake. Instead, focus on eating real food—meat!
7. Avoid Snacking
Most people on the carnivore diet eat one or two meals a day. There is no need to snack between meals. If you are hungry after your meal, try to eat more fat next time.
If you do decide to have a snack occasionally, make sure it’s carnivore-friendly (check out my carnivore chips recipe).
8. Carbs at Home
If you just started the carnivore diet, make sure to remove all high-carb foods from your kitchen. Just throw them away.
You want to remove any temptations and make it easier to stick with your new diet. Trust me on this one—it’s really hard to resist the urge when you see a delicious snack on the counter.
9. Experiment with Dairy
Dairy is a controversial topic in the carnivore diet world. Some people swear by it, while others avoid dairy altogether (check out my Cheese on Carnivore Diet article for more information).
If you don’t have lactose intolerance or other health issues related to dairy, it can be a great way to add some variety and flavor to your meals. Experiment with different types of dairy, such as butter, cream cheese, and yogurt, and see what works for you. Raw cheese is also great.
10. Avoiding Seasonings
For most people, adding black pepper and salt to food can be a great way to enhance the taste of their meals.
However, some people on the carnivore diet find that seasonings (except salt) can cause digestive issues or inflammation. You may want to eliminate seasonings and only use salt until you observe how your body responds.
11. Limit Processed Meats
It’s better to eat more fresh, minimally processed meats than those that are heavily salted or cured. Processed meat products can be high in sodium and preservatives, which may not be beneficial when eating a carnivore diet.
12. Include Organ Meats
Organ meats are very nutrient-dense and provide a great source of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and essential fatty acids.
Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available, but you may want to try other organ meats, such as heart and kidney. You can find a table comparing beef, chicken, and pork liver here.
13. Bone Broth Regularly
Bone broth can be a great addition to any carnivore diet. It’s packed full of vitamins and minerals, as well as collagen, which is essential for gut health.
Bone broth will help keep your bones strong while providing a nourishing, savory flavor to your carnivore diet. It’s so easy to make carnivore broth at home.
14. Grass-Fed Beef
If you can source and afford grass-fed beef, it’s a great way to get the most out of your carnivore diet.
Grass-fed beef is richer in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and vitamins than grain-fed cows. Don’t get me wrong—”regular” beef is still great, but if you can get grass-fed, it’s even better.
15. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to ensure your body is hydrated and functioning at its best! This will make digestion easier, since dehydration leads to constipation, which can be problematic on an all-meat diet, especially when just starting out.
On KetoAndEat you can find MANY great carnivore recipes. Here are a few you can start with: