First off, the ketogenic diet and the carnivore diet allow fat and protein while eliminating carbohydrates.
But the carnivore diet takes it one step further and eliminates all plant foods. People on these two diets are usually trying to achieve ketosis so as to experience mental clarity, decrease inflammation, and to lose weight.
The carnivore diet is a high-fat, high-protein diet where you eat only meat, eggs, and dairy and stay away from all other food groups. Those who experiment with a meat-only diet usually try the keto diet or paleo diet before transitioning.
All you have to do on the carnivore diet is eat animal foods and avoid foods that come from plants.
- Meat. Beef, lamb, pork, chicken. Get the bulk of your calories from fattier cuts of meat to make sure you’re getting enough calories.
- Dairy. Some carnivores eat cream, butter, and cheese, but many people avoid dairy products because they’re lactose-intolerant. Milk and half-and-half are not allowed on carnivore because they contain carbs.
- Animal fat. Lard, tallow, ghee, schmaltz, and other animal fats become the standard for cooking on carnivore. The good news is that they all have very high smoke points, which makes them well-suited for searing steak or crisping up a roast chicken.
- Fish. All types of fish are allowed on carnivore. Salmon, tuna, sardines, anchovies, oysters, and shrimp are all popular for their DHA omega-3 content.
- Organ meats: Liver, heart, tongue, and offal, which are excellent sources of iron.
“Animal foods are the optimal food for humans. They have the highest nutrient density. They have all of the nutrients a human needs to function optimally. And they have none of the antinutrients found in plants.” – Dr. Paul Saladino
Unlike the ketogenic diet, there are no macronutrient ratio preferences in the carnivore diet. You just eat meat. And because you’re not eating any carbs, you’ll likely reach ketosis on a carnivore diet.
