Animal-Based Diet Vs. Carnivore Diet: Similarities and Differences

The carnivore diet is a type of animal-based diet, and as such, has a negligible carb intake and high protein intake. It is the modern equivalent of what human ancestral populations ate. 

Several animal-based diets are similar to, yet all are also noticeably distinct from, the carnivore diet. So, what are the similarities and differences between the average animal-based diet vs. carnivore diet? How can you know which one of these diets is the right one for you? Here are the answers.

​What Is The Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet foods list includes only animal products. It excludes plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains, cereals, and seeds. Carnivore dieters also avoid processed foods, focusing instead on natural sources of animal proteins and fats.

In its strictest form, the carnivore diet allows only meat, some salt for seasoning, and water. This is ideal for restoring the body's balance after years of poor eating habits. It also conveniently cuts out any potential triggers for allergic and auto-immune responses. 

However, most carnivore dieters ultimately move on from eating meat only to a more relaxed form of the carnivore diet. Animal foods such as meats (white and red meat), fish, seafood, animal fats, organ meats, eggs, and raw dairy products, are all considered carnivore foods. 

​Pros 

• The most noticeable carnivore diet pro is the potential health benefits. Many have found relief from allergies, improved their health despite auto-immune disorders, and lowered their risks of chronic diseases, through carnivore eating.

• As with any other low-carbohydrate diet, carnivore eating means avoiding carbohydrate foods. Fortunately, this does not mean that carnivore eaters lack the energy they would get from carbs. The carnivore diet gets its fuel from another source — healthy fats.
  

Cons

• A quick look at the average animal-based diet vs. carnivore diet will highlight the main disadvantage of the carnivore lifestyle. It is a restrictive diet that can be difficult to stick to. It certainly does take a lot of willpower to stick to a carnivore diet meal plan long-term.
  

• Because the carnivore diet relies on fat burning for energy, rather than carbohydrates, it may present a problem for people with medical conditions that require a diet low in saturated fat. However, animal fats are not always the problem that many people think they are. ​
  

​What Is An Animal-Based Diet?

An animal-based diet focuses on eating mostly animal products. For a diet to be considered animal-based, it should have an emphasis on eating animal foods rather than plant foods. Even if some plant-based foods are allowed, they will often be limited, such as on many low-carb diets.

The most popular examples of these animal-based diets are the keto diet and the paleo diet. 

On paleo, grains, legumes, refined sugar, and processed foods are avoided. Fruits and vegetables are allowed. On keto, foods rich in carbohydrates are excluded. However, nuts, seeds, certain vegetables, and limited fruits are allowed. Like the carnivore diet, the primary energy source of keto is fats.

Pros 

• Not happy to eat only animal foods? On an animal-based diet, you have a few more food choices, and thus many more meal choices. 

• An animal-based diet allows a wider variety of foods. Therefore, there is less risk of deviating from the eating plan or potentially developing nutrient deficiencies. But we must note that animal-based diets don’t necessarily eliminate this risk, nor do carnivore diets necessarily increase it. The important thing is to plan your meals well.
  

​Cons

• One of the animal-based diet's top pros is also a con—the inclusion of plant-based foods. Why is this a con? Plant-based foods are often triggers for allergic reactions and immune responses. While this might not be a problem for some, it can have severe effects on others.

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• Not all animal-based diets are low-carbohydrate diets. And even those that are relatively low in carbs, will include some carbs and sugars. This may be bad news if you are trying to lose weight while controlling your insuline and blood sugar levels. Eliminating carbs and sugars is a step toward effective weight management. ​
  

​How To Choose Between An Animal-Based Diet Or Carnivore Diet

How can you know which diet is right for you? Ask yourself if you’re happy to eat only foods from animals, or need more variety in your food groups.

Animal foods are complete proteins, providing all the amino acids your body needs. Although keto and paleo diets may offer a variety of health benefits, they are not solely focused on animal foods like the carnivore diet.

​Mostly Meat And Animal Foods

Because animal-based diets can differ in what they allow and don’t allow, it’s hard to pin down the right one for you without a thorough look at your unique needs. Some allow fruits, others don’t. Some are considered low-carb, and others aren’t particularly low in carbs. 

However, despite their small differences, animal-based diets tend to consist of 80% animal foods. Therefore they offer some of the benefits that carnivore eating does. Do you want to know more? Read our complete guide to animal-based diets. 

Animal Foods Only

Because the carnivore diet is such a restrictive diet, it can be a big adjustment from the typical Western diet. If you’re accustomed to eating convenience foods high in carbs and sugars, you’ll find carnivore eating (98% animal foods) a challenge at first. 

But it is the exclusion of processed foods, convenience foods, sugars, and carbohydrates that makes this a healthy diet choice. Switching to a carnivore diet will promote weight loss, alleviate allergy symptoms, reduce the risk of countless diseases, and boost your energy.

Best Of Both Worlds

Still struggling to decide between an animal-based diet or a carnivore diet? This may be a sign that ketovore is the best diet for you. Ketovore features elements of the keto and carnivore diets. 

As with carnivore, the emphasis is still on meats and other animal foods, but with the high-fat, low-carb approach of keto. Some leafy greens and low-carb veggies offer a balanced diet with a bit more versatility than you’d have on carnivore. Find out more in our guide to the ketovore diet. 

​Animal-Based Diet Vs. Carnivore Diet: Which Is Healthier?

The avoidance of processed foods, and limiting carbs and sugars, means most animal-based diets can be healthy. 

But it is in the differences that the carnivore diet has an added advantage. When you eat animal foods only, you eliminate many allergy and auto-immune response triggers. By cutting out carbs and sugars you can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of chronic disease, and lose weight more easily. 

Therefore, the carnivore diet, which allows animal foods only, can potentially be a healthier choice than other animal-based diets which include plant-based foods.

​Final Thoughts

To wrap it up, both the animal-based and carnivore diets offer similar perks by focusing on high-quality animal foods and cutting out processed junk. 

But while animal-based diets like keto or paleo allow a bit of plant-based variety, the carnivore diet goes all in, eliminating plant foods entirely to help reduce potential allergens and triggers for inflammation. 

Choosing between the two comes down to your health goals and how comfortable you are with keeping it strictly animal-based or mixing in a few plant foods. Whether you’re ready to dive into full carnivore or prefer a bit more flexibility, both diets offer solid options for fueling your body with real, nourishing foods.