Carnivore Diet for Beginners - The Ultimate Guide

Does the thought of zero carbs and meat all day fill you with dread? Don’t worry, the carnivore diet is so much more than that. It can be as exciting and versatile as you want it to be. But we understand that beginners find the change in eating habits challenging. 

That’s why we’ve created this ultimate guide to the carnivore diet for beginners. You’ll learn about the benefits of carnivore eating, which foods to eat, and which to avoid. You’ll also find useful tips on getting started plus an example of a week’s meals including snacks to whet your appetite.

What Is The Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet is an elimination diet focused on eating animal foods rather than plant foods. Although in its strictest form, the carnivore diet consists of meat and water only, this is the restrictive initial phase. It is not meant as a long-term dietary approach, but rather a temporary one.

Your health needs will dictate your carnivore diet strategy. There are different ways to follow the carnivore diet. Once your health improves and you can tolerate them, you may choose to re-introduce certain foods. 

Benefits Of The Carnivore Diet

The benefits of the carnivore diet are numerous, and each person may experience them differently. Your experience of the carnivore diet will be heavily influenced by your health before starting it.

• You will likely see improvement in autoimmune and other medical conditions that are triggered by the consumption of plant foods or carbohydrates in general. 
  
• If you are carrying excess weight, you will find the extra pounds melting away as your body starts to burn stores of fat instead of sugars for energy. This weight loss, in turn, will reduce your risk of chronic disease.
  
• Because you are no longer eating starchy foods, sugars, and processed foods, your vitality and energy will return. Skin conditions like acne will start to improve.
  

Potential Risks Of The Carnivore Diet

Does eating only animal products, or mostly meat, increase the risk of any health issues? Once again, your prior state of health will probably dictate your experience. That said, most carnivore diet enthusiasts find that their health only improves after switching to carnivore. 

But there are a few factors to consider:

• Do you have a medical condition such as kidney disease that could worsen by eating a high-protein diet? Always discuss any radical change to your diet with your healthcare practitioner before you start, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with, or are at increased risk for, kidney disease or cardiovascular disease.

• Do you have a history of eating disorders? A highly restrictive elimination diet may not be the best choice for you. Discuss this first with your physician and/or therapist to ensure that you are making good choices for you. 

• Are you able and willing to eat a wide variety of animal foods? This will give you more versatility and prevent any possibility of diet boredom or nutritional deficiencies. Variety is the spice of life, and it’s possible to include a variety of foods on any diet, even the carnivore one.

What About Vitamin C?​

Don’t worry, you can still meet your body’s vitamin C needs on the carnivore diet. 

This is one of the biggest surprises of the carnivore diet for beginners. Meats and other animal foods contain vitamin C! If you are concerned about vitamin C deficiency, you can also take a supplement. But you’re unlikely to develop a vitamin deficiency if you plan your diet carefully.

​Foods To Eat On The Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet encourages eating fresh, wholesome animal foods. These include grass-fed meats like beef, game, lamb, and pork as well as organ meats and animal fats like lard, suet, and tallow. Poultry, fish, and seafood are also allowed. 

If you can tolerate them without adverse reactions, you may include full-fat dairy products like cream,  yogurt, butter, and cheese. Eggs are also animal foods and can be included in your carnivore diet meal plans. Opt for organic whenever possible.

​Foods To Avoid On The Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet excludes plant foods (especially starchy ones), carbohydrates like cereals and grains, sugars, and processed foods. Avoid seasonings and sauces laden with unhealthy additives. Steer clear of packaged snacks as these are often full of hidden sugars or high in sodium.

Don’t be fooled that because you must eat meat, any meat will do. Processed meats simply don’t provide the nutrient density that non-processed meats do and can contain harmful by-products. If you can’t contemplate the thought of giving up your smoked favorites like bacon, limit this to once a week.

​How To Make The Transition To Carnivore Easier

Switching to a carnivore diet can be challenging, but following these tips will help:

1. Gradually Reduce Carbs: Ease into the diet by first cutting out processed foods, sugars, and grains, moving towards low-carb or ketogenic eating.
   
2. Choose Nutrient-Dense Meats: Incorporate a variety of meats, especially organ meats like liver and kidney, to ensure a well-rounded intake of essential nutrients.
   
3. Stay Hydrated and Balance Electrolytes: Drink plenty of water and use mineral-rich salt. Consider supplementing with magnesium and potassium to prevent symptoms like dizziness and cramps.
   
4. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how you feel and make necessary adjustments. Allow a few weeks for your body to fully adapt, and consult a healthcare professional if you experience persistent issues.
   

​Sample 7-Day Carnivore Diet Meal Plan 

Here is a sample week of meals suitable for the carnivore diet for beginners.

DAY 1	Breakfast: Scrambled eggs Lunch: Two grilled chicken thighs Snack: A scoop or two of liver pate Dinner: Grilled rib-eye steak
DAY 2	Breakfast: Poached egg Lunch: Grilled shrimp Snack: A handful of beef jerky Dinner: Two pork chops
DAY 3	Breakfast: A couple rashers of bacon Lunch: Chicken wings Snack: Two hard-boiled eggs Dinner: Roasted chicken or duck
DAY 4	Breakfast: Omelet Lunch: A piece of smoked salmon Snack: A handful of pork rinds Dinner: Venison
DAY 5	Breakfast: Plain, unsweetened yogurt Lunch: Lamb cutlet Snack:  Three or four miniature beef bites Dinner: Seafood of choice
DAY 6	Breakfast: Sardines Lunch: Grilled turkey breast Snack: A generous slice of full-fat cheese Dinner: Seared tuna steaks
DAY 7	Breakfast: Soft-boiled eggs Lunch:  A cup of shredded tuna Snack: A few scoops of unflavored cream cheese Dinner: Braised beef ribs

Take Note: You’ll notice that each day’s meal plan contains a variety of animal foods. This is the key to a healthy diet - keeping things interesting and varied. However, your meal and carnivore snack choices will depend on whether you are following a strict carnivore diet or a more relaxed form of the diet.

​Final Thoughts

Getting started on the carnivore journey can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Any dietary change can be challenging but knowledge is power. Learn about the health benefits of the foods the carnivore diet allows. Also, do some research into why the foods that are excluded are best avoided.  

These meal ideas on the carnivore diet for beginners will get you started, but we have many more meal ideas and carnivore recipes you can draw inspiration from. Eat a variety of animal foods and you’ll find the carnivore diet easier to stick to. Good luck!