The Lion Diet Vs. Carnivore Diet: Similarities & Differences

The carnivore diet is currently one of the most popular animal-based diets, but it's certainly not the only one. The lion diet is another animal food-based diet that has recently received much attention. 

As the names imply, both focus heavily on eating meat. But that raises some interesting questions. Is a focus on meats where the similarity ends? More importantly, is one safer and healthier than the other, and how do you know which one is right for you? 

To get to the answers, let’s take a closer look at the lion diet vs carnivore diet, and their main similarities and differences.

What Is The Lion Diet?

The lion diet was created by blogger and podcast host Mikhaila Peterson, as a solution to health issues she was experiencing. Thanks to her sharing her dietary journey online, the lion diet has attracted many new fans.

On the lion diet, you may consume only ruminant meat, salt, and water. So, what is ruminant meat? This is the meat of ruminant animals — grazing animals with multiple stomachs, who chew their cud. The lion diet, so named because of a lion’s meat-centric diet, focuses exclusively on these meats. 

Beef, bison, goat, lamb, and venison (deer) meats are allowed on the lion diet. Other foods like cereals, grains, vegetables, and fruits are avoided on this diet. 

What Is The Carnivore Diet?

People on the carnivore diet initially consume only meat, salt, and water in the strictest form of the diet. However, there is no further restriction on the types of meats allowed. Therefore, pork, poultry, and seafood are also consumed in the very strict meat-only stage of the diet. 

Heavy cream, hard cheese, and butter may be consumed in small quantities for those transitioning from the strictest initial stage of the diet. Those who can tolerate other animal products like lard, marrow, eggs, and cheese, may do so, in any quantity.

Similarities Between The Lion And Carnivore Diet

These are the main similarities between the lion diet and the carnivore diet.

1. ​Animal-Based Nutrition

Both diets are animal-based, with a focus on meat. They are both restrictive elimination diets, devised to help people identify food allergy triggers, resolve autoimmune and inflammation issues, and restore balance to the body.  

Although there is a lack of scientific evidence to support it, the lion diet is claimed to ease the symptoms of autoimmune disease and leaky gut. 

These are some of the many health benefits enjoyed when following the carnivore diet responsibly. And many carnivore doctors will attest to this. 

2. PROTEIN AND FAT CONSUMPTION

The lion diet and the carnivore diet are meat-centric and, therefore, high in protein and fat. Protein is essential for the body, playing a crucial role in growth and development. It also assists in the maintenance and repair of cells and tissues. Because carbs are excluded, the body gets its energy from burning fat. 

For years, people were advised to limit fats in their diet. The consensus now is that we need healthy fats in our diet. Meats contain these healthy fats, important for general health, although leaner cuts of meat are typically recommended.

3. NO CARBS

Both diets encourage meat eating while discouraging carbohydrate intake.

No carbs or processed foods are allowed on either the lion diet or the carnivore diet. You can eat meat, but not vegetables, fruits, grains, and cereals or derivatives thereof. Even if you eventually move onto a more relaxed version of carnivore, starchy vegetables are largely avoided.

This helps people reduce blood sugar spikes and inflammation caused by eating carbohydrates. Trying to lose weight? It also aids in weight loss and gut health. A healing elimination diet like the lion diet or carnivore diet, which restricts carb intake and consumption of plant foods, offers many health benefits.

4. NUTRIENT DENSITY

Both diets are nutrient-dense. Meat is the most nutrient-dense food you can eat. Meat contains protein, fat, important amino acids, and highly bioavailable vitamins, and minerals. This is why carnivore animals can exist eating only meat and drinking only water.

Differences Between Lion Diet And Carnivore Diet

These are the main differences between the lion diet and carnivore diet. ​

1. ​Dietary Restrictions

One of the biggest similarities between the lion diet and the carnivore diet is also one of the biggest differences. Let’s explain. 

They are both elimination diets, and highly restrictive, focusing on meats only. However, when it comes to the meats allowed, the lion diet is even more restrictive. The main difference is the range of animal foods allowed and the fact that the lion diet is used for people with autoimmune issues.

The lion diet is an all-meat diet, with no other animal products allowed. Even the types of meats allowed are restricted to those from ruminant animals. Eating organ meats from these ruminant animals is optional. 

The lion diet is the strictest meat-centric diet, which makes it hard to stick to. Eating ruminant meats only can quickly lead to diet boredom. 

In contrast, the carnivore diet allows all meat and other animal products like fish, eggs, butter, bone marrow, and lard.

2. NUTRIENT VARIETY

A more varied and balanced diet is the key to nutrient density and all-round health. But can a very low-carb diet, that excludes all other food groups besides meat, offer enough nutrition? 

In the long term, a zero-carb diet may lead to nutrient deficiencies. But this is more likely if you don’t eat a wide range of other foods. 

A meat-only diet can still offer many of the nutrients essential for life. However, because the carnivore diet allows a wider range of animal foods than the lion diet, there are more potential sources of nutrients. Although a restrictive diet, the carnivore diet is also more sustainable than the ultra-restrictive lion diet.  

3. ​Inclusion Of Raw Foods

While both diets focus on the consumption of animal products, the lion diet includes raw animal products, ie. raw meat and organs, while the carnivore diet focuses on cooked animal products.

The reasoning behind this lies in the belief that raw animal products contain more bioavailable nutrients and enzymes than their cooked counterparts. Lion diet advocates can argue that cooking can degrade certain nutrients and enzymes, reducing their nutritional value.

​Lion Diet Vs. Carnivore Diet: Which Is Safer?

The main question people have about the lion diet vs carnivore diet debate is, which animal-based diet is safer? 

Saturated fats can increase cholesterol, especially the supposedly more harmful LDL cholesterol. An excess of saturated fats can increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. 

Saturated fat is typically higher in red meat than it is in white meat, poultry, and seafood. And because the lion diet limits foods to ruminant meats only, followers of this diet consume higher levels of saturated fat. The carnivore diet allows meats from all sources and hence may be lower in saturated fat overall. 

However, there are also risks associated with eating raw meat (emphasized on the lion diet), including the potential for foodborne diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Cooking is recommended as a precautionary measure to kill harmful pathogens and reduce the risk of illness.

Both diets have their risks and benefits, and neither can be labeled as definitively safer. It all depends on your body and its needs, as well as the types of animal products you eat and the way you prepare them.
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Both diets are also highly restrictive and meant for short-term use. They are not designed for long-term use. They are elimination diets, meant to address health issues by excluding the foods (typically plant-based foods and their toxins) that trigger or worsen them.

​Final Thoughts

In the discussion of the lion diet vs. carnivore diet, they appear to be very similar. 

Yet when examining them more closely, the only real similarity is the focus on animal foods and limiting carbohydrate intake. The carnivore diet allows meat from various sources. The lion diet does not. Also, except in its strictest form, the carnivore diet allows eggs and some dairy products, which the lion does not allow. 

Do you want to lose weight quickly and safely, or heal from inflammation caused by consuming too many carbs? The carnivore diet may be the solution. Although focused on meat, it offers a wider range of foods, making it a more sustainable and healthier choice.