🥩 What to Eat on the Carnivore Diet: The Ultimate Food List
🥩 What to Eat on the Carnivore Diet: The Ultimate Food List 🥩
The carnivore diet is a simple yet powerful way of eating. The core rule is straightforward. If it did not come from an animal, you do not eat it. This removes all plants, fruits, grains, and processed foods.
This simplicity can still lead to questions. What kind of meat is best? Are eggs and dairy allowed? This diet is all about focusing on the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. Your shopping list becomes very focused.
This guide will give you a complete answer to the question: what to eat on the carnivore diet? We will cover the foundation, the additions, and the gray areas. Let's build your ultimate carnivore food list. ✅
🤔 What is the Foundation of the Carnivore Diet?
The foundation of a well-formulated carnivore diet is ruminant meat. These are animals that chew their cud, like cows, sheep, and bison. Their meat is incredibly nutrient-dense. It also has a fantastic fatty acid profile.
Fatty cuts are highly encouraged. Fat is your primary source of energy on this diet. Focus your meals around these staples:
- Beef: Ribeye steaks, chuck roast, brisket, and ground beef (80/20 is a great choice).
- Lamb: Lamb chops, leg of lamb, and ground lamb are all delicious.
- Bison: A leaner but very flavorful option.
🍗 What Other Meats Can You Eat?
While beef and lamb are the foundation, variety is great. You can and should include other animal proteins. This adds different flavors and nutrients to your diet.
Is Pork and Poultry Allowed?
Yes, pork and poultry are excellent choices. For pork, fatty cuts are best. Think pork belly, pork shoulder, and bacon. For poultry, choose the fattier parts. Chicken thighs and wings with the skin on are much better than lean chicken breast.
Why Are Organ Meats Encouraged?
Organ meats are nature's superfoods. They are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Beef liver is an incredible source of Vitamin A and B12. Beef heart is rich in CoQ10. Try to include them in your diet regularly.
🐟 Can You Eat Fish and Seafood?
Yes, fish and seafood are a fantastic part of what to eat on the carnivore diet. They provide a different set of nutrients. Fatty fish, in particular, are very beneficial. They are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
Excellent choices for fatty fish include:
- Salmon
- Mackerel
- Sardines
- Anchovies
- Herring
Other seafood like shrimp, scallops, crab, and oysters are also completely allowed. They add wonderful variety to your meals.
🥚 Are Eggs and Dairy Permitted on the Carnivore Diet?
This is a common question with a nuanced answer. It often depends on your personal tolerance and goals. Eggs are generally considered a perfect carnivore food. They are a nutritional powerhouse.
Dairy, however, is a gray area. Some people thrive with it, while others do not. This is because of lactose (a sugar) and casein (a protein). These can cause digestive or inflammatory issues for some people.
If you choose to include dairy, focus on high-fat, low-lactose options. Butter and ghee are almost universally accepted. Hard, aged cheeses, heavy cream, and sour cream are also good choices for those who tolerate them well. It is best to avoid milk due to its higher lactose content.
🧈 What Fats Should You Cook With?
Fat is your fuel. Cooking with the right fats is important. The best choices are stable, healthy animal fats. These are perfect for searing steaks and cooking your meals.
- Beef Tallow
- Lard (pork fat)
- Bacon Grease
- Butter and Ghee
These fats add incredible flavor to your carnivore diet meals. They are the traditional fats that humans have cooked with for thousands of years. They are a key part of what to eat on the carnivore diet.