Your Complete Animal-Based Diet Grocery List

So, you’ve decided to switch to an animal-based diet but you don’t know what to include in your grocery list? We’re here to help. Starting a new diet can always be challenging at first. But once you know what to buy, and why, you’ll be grocery shopping with confidence.

This is your complete animal-based diet grocery list, with suggestions on how to include the different food groups and what makes them each good for you. 

What Is An Animal-Based Diet?

An animal-based diet is a way of eating that includes a variety of animal foods and typically prohibits or limits plant foods. 

The paleo diet, ketogenic diet, carnivore, and lion diets are all animal-based diets. However, carnivore and lion diets are more strictly centered on meats than the keto and paleo diets and prohibit all plant foods.

Because most processed foods are full of plant foods, carbs and sugars, as well as potentially harmful additives, processed food is also avoided on most animal-based diets.

Why No Plant Foods?​

Plant foods can be very tasty and offer a range of nutrients. However, plant foods can also be your worst enemy. 

But why? Many plant foods are carbohydrates, and eating too many carbs can lead to all sorts of health issues. Gluten found in grains can trigger allergies, auto-immune conditions and even neuro-degenerative diseases.

Nutrient-Dense Foods For Your Animal-based Diet Grocery List

Animal foods are some of the most nutrient-dense foods available. Personal preferences will guide your choices, but all the foods listed in this animal-based diet grocery list are suitable for animal-based diets like the carnivore diet. 

Beef

• Ground beef
• Steaks (Ribeye, Sirloin, T-bone)
• Chops and cuts for roasts like chuck or brisket

Beef is versatile and easy to cook. Steaks, chops, burgers and more — what’s not to love about beef? From lunchtime treats to dinnertime dishes, beef plays an important role in the carnivore diet. ​

Pork

• Pork chops
• Bacon
• Pork shoulder — can be used for pulled pork dishes

If you don’t eat pork for religious or cultural reasons, or have an allergy, feel free to leave this off your list. But adding pork dishes to your carnivore diet meal plans gives you so many more options. Bacon, or rendered pork fat (lard) is useful for frying (see “Fats and Oils'' below), with an extra depth of flavor.

Lamb

• Lamb chops
  
• Ground lamb
• Lamb shank — excellent for braising

Lamb is a tender meat perfect for making meatballs or burgers. Lamb is an excellent source of vitamin B12, which is essential for blood formation and brain function. Deficiency can lead to anemia and neurological damage. Lamb is often a rich source of selenium, which has various important functions in the body.

Lamb is a great source of zinc, which is better absorbed from meat than plants. Zinc is essential for growth, hormone formation, and immune function. Niacin serves a variety of important functions in the body and inadequate intake has been linked to increased heart disease risk.

Poultry

• Chicken thighs, breasts, legs
  
• Turkey and turkey bacon
  
• Duck

Chicken is a lean but juicy source of protein, economical and versatile. But all poultry offers tasty alternatives to red meats and makes the carnivore diet even more versatile. Roasted chicken, turkey or duck are excellent Sunday dinner ideas. Alternatively, chicken wings make good lunchtime snacks.

​Wild Game

• Venison
  
• Bison
  
• Elk

Game meats offer a distinct and unique flavor, quite unlike other meats. If you’ve never eaten them before, give them a try. You might just discover a new food favorite. Game jerky (dried meat) is also suitable for the occasional snack when you feel a bit hungry and can’t wait until mealtime. ​

​Liver

• Beef liver
• Chicken liver — perfect for pâtés
  

Organ meats like liver are 10-100 times higher in nutrients than muscle meats. Liver surpasses fruits, vegetables and muscle meats in levels of most vitamins and minerals. This makes liver a superfood that can help ensure adequate intake of many essential nutrients, especially for those following a low-calorie diet.

Heart

• Beef heart 
  
• Chicken heart

Never tried offal/organ meats like heart and livers before? Don’t be too quick to dismiss them. They are an exciting branch of animal-based eating giving you even more meal options.

Kidneys

• Kidneys from sheep, pigs, or cows

Steak and beef kidneys are a winning combo when you need a filling, nutritious and satisfying meal. It’s ideal for dinner or cold winter days. You can enjoy kidneys on their own too. With a dash of spice, they are suitable for lunchtime treats.

Bone Marrow

Although not strictly an organ meat, bone marrow is considered offal. It contains protein, vitamin B12, and collagen, and is therefore ideally suited to a well-balanced diet. 

Fish

• Salmon — high in omega-3 fatty acids
  
• Sardines — ready-to-eat right out of the can
  
• Cod and other types of fish  

Fish is a tasty and healthy alternative for people who don’t want to consume too much red meat. It’s delicious fried or grilled, although the latter is the best option for people trying to limit fried foods. If you are not a fish fan, that’s okay! There’s still plenty you can eat on the carnivore diet.

​Shellfish

• Shrimp
  
• Oysters — packed with zinc and other minerals
  
• Mussels — rich in B vitamins

Shellfish can be both delicious and nutritious, adding new dimensions of flavor to the carnivore diet. However, if you have not eaten shellfish before, take note that about 2% of the U.S. population suffers from shellfish allergies.

​Raw Dairy Products

• Cheddar
  
• Parmesan — for grating over dishes
  
• Goat cheese

Although the initial stage of the carnivore diet typically revolves exclusively around meats, some cheese, if you tolerate it well, can be added for more versatility.

​Pure Butter And Ghee

• Grass-fed butter
  
• Ghee: Clarified butter for high-heat cooking

Butter and ghee contain saturated fats, which many people try to avoid, but they nonetheless offer health benefits. Use sparingly. If in doubt, consult your primary healthcare provider, particularly if you suffer from a health condition that may be worsened by saturated fat consumption.

Yogurt/Cream

• Greek-style, full-fat plain yogurt
  
• Unsweetened, full-fat cream 

Creamy and satiating, yogurt is high in protein and probiotics. But always stick to unsweetened and unflavored yogurt. This will help you avoid sugars and additives but also offer more versatility. Plain yogurt or cream can be used in savory meals, and yogurt can be eaten on its own for breakfast.

​Eggs

• Chicken eggs
  
• Duck eggs
  
• Quail eggs

Versatile and nutrient-dense, eggs are complete proteins and an excellent addition to the carnivore diet. Unless you have an allergy, consider using them to add variety and flavor to your meals. They are the perfect breakfast food and also make for handy snacks. Opt for free-range, organic eggs whenever possible.

Animal Fats

• Tallow — rendered beef or mutton fat is excellent for frying.
  
• Lard — rendered pork fat, great for baking and cooking.
  
• Butter — perfect for frying eggs.
  

Animal fats are used instead of seed oils on animal-based diets. These contain saturated fats and as such, you may be uncertain about using them. Rest assured, unless advised not to by your primary healthcare provider, these fats can offer distinct health benefits.

Sauces: Stocks And Broths

• Bone broth
  
• Beef stock

Bone broth is rich in collagen and minerals and can also be used as a hearty beverage on cold winter days (see “Beverages” below). Beef stock is great as a base for soups and stews.

​Seasonings, Herbs, And Spices

• Salt
  
• Pepper
  
• Herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage etc) and spices (paprika, saffron, etc.)

Limit seasonings other than salt during the initial stage of the carnivore diet. When you introduce them, avoid blended seasonings as these often contain hidden starches and sugars. Avoid relishes made from fermented vegetables, or those containing ‘fillers’.

Bone Broth

• Chicken bone broth
  
• Beef bone broth

Bone broths offer many health benefits and double up as sauces (see “Sauces” above).

​Tea And Coffee

• Black coffee
• Black tea, herbal tea

Avoid tea and coffee drinks that are sweetened or flavored, or contain creamers. If you enjoy the occasional coffee, but find drinking it black unpalatable, use some fresh, unsweetened cream in it. ​

​Final Thoughts

As you can see from this animal-based diet grocery list, the animal-based diet offers many healthy, delicious foods for you to enjoy. With discerning shopping, you can conjure many tasty meals on a budget while on an animal-based diet. All it takes is some careful planning and a little imagination.