Paleo Vs. Carnivore Diet: Differences Explained

There are so many different diets today that it’s difficult to know which one to choose. Keto and intermittent fasting enthusiasts say theirs is the way to go. Paleo fans say it’s the ancestral diet and therefore it’s the natural choice. And the carnivore diet seems to be the simplest of them all.

The paleo and carnivore diets are more primal and closer to what our ancestors ate. But how do you choose between paleo vs. carnivore? In this guide to the paleo vs. carnivore diet, we explain the differences and the similarities so you can make the right choice for you. 

​What Is The Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet is a dietary choice that excludes plant-based foods and carbs while encouraging animal-based proteins like meats, organ meats, wild-caught seafood, eggs, and animal fats like butter and lard. In its strictest form, meats and organ meats only are consumed.

Other dairy products are limited, and plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables are largely avoided. Although some carnivore diet fans will drink coffee and tea, many drink only water. Even when coffee is enjoyed, no sugar is used to sweeten it.

​Potential Benefits Of The Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet, like the paleo and keto diets, is an example of a low-carb diet. However, carnivore eating in its strictest form takes it a step further, by eliminating plant foods and carbs. And in doing so, it offers several health benefits and drastically reduces the risk of several chronic diseases.

It can be beneficial for people suffering from metabolic disorders, auto-immune disorders, diabetes, and heart disease, to name a few examples. Many people also lose their excess weight very quickly while on the carnivore diet.

​What Is The Paleo Diet?

The Paleolithic diet, or Paleo for short, is also known as the caveman diet. This is because it mimics the eating habits of our cave-dwelling ancestors. It encourages eating good grass-fed meats and fresh seafood, plus nutritious fruits and low-carb vegetables above processed foods. 

Of course, it is not possible to completely replicate what they ate in the Paleolithic era. However, the modern Paleo diet–through its exclusion of cereals and grains, legumes, dairy products, and processed foods–comes very close to it.

​Benefits Of The Paleo Diet

Paleo is a healthy dietary choice. It encourages consuming nutrient-dense foods while lowering carb intake and avoiding processed foods. Thus, it offers several health benefits, including improved digestion, better weight management, and more stable blood glucose levels.

​Similarities Between Paleo And Carnivore

The strictest version of the carnivore diet focuses on meats and organ meats, with no plant foods. As a strict elimination diet, it’s designed to be temporary. Many people start with the strict version and switch to a more relaxed one or a similar low-carb diet once their health issues have improved.

Are you considering the paleo diet? These are the similarities between the strict carnivore eating plan and the paleo diet.

​1. Low In Carbs And High In Protein

Both diets are low in carbs and high in protein, and a diet rich in proteins is good for you, right? Yes, protein is very important. A diet high in carbs and sugars, on the other hand, can lead to obesity, insulin resistance, and other serious medical conditions.

A low-carb diet is recommended for improved blood sugar control, and it will also help you to lose weight. 

2. ​No Grains

No grains and cereals feature in either diet. A few examples of these are wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, and corn. Cereals and grains are not only carbs but many also contain gluten. This makes the carnivore and paleo diets suitable for people who need to limit carb intake or are sensitive to gluten.

3. ​No Processed Foods

These diets both avoid processed foods and refined sugar, and that’s very good news for your health. Processed and especially ultra-processed foods have been linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and even cancer.

4. ​Emphasis On Animal Products For Protein

Proteins are the building blocks of the body, necessary for organs, muscles, cartilage, skin, hair, and bones. Animal products like meats and eggs are excellent sources of essential amino acids and protein. The carnivore diet and paleo diet both include and encourage eating animal proteins like grass-fed meat.

​Differences Between Paleo And Carnivore

Are you considering transitioning from strict carnivore to paleo? They may offer similar health benefits. The carnivore and paleo diets are both high in protein and low in carbs and avoid processed foods. But despite their similarities, there are significant differences. 

These are the key differences between the strict carnivore eating plan and the paleo diet.

​1. Fruits And Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables offer nutritional value and contain essential nutrients like vitamin C. The paleo diet allows you to eat fruits and vegetables (but not high-carb vegetables). The carnivore diet does not. However, it’s possible to meet your vitamin C requirements on the carnivore diet by eating only animal products.

2. ​Nuts And Seeds

Nuts and seeds feature on the paleo diet, and not on the carnivore one. Paleo dieters can freely eat macadamia nuts, almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and more; but not peanuts. Peanuts are not actually nuts but legumes and are therefore avoided on the paleo diet. (They are similarly excluded from strict carnivore diets). 

3. ​Dairy Products

Dairy products feature heavily in most modern diets. But the human diet did not include dairy products in the Paleolithic era. Therefore, the strict Paleo diet excludes dairy. Meanwhile, although a strict carnivore diet excludes most dairy, some carnivores do use heavy cream and butter, which are dairy products. 

​Are The Paleo And Carnivore Diets Similar To The Keto Diet?

On the surface, the paleo diet, the carnivore diet, and the ketogenic diet appear very similar. These three diets appear to be higher in protein and healthy fats and lower in carbs than most other diets. 

Keto and paleo allow leafy greens, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Carnivore does not. Fruits that are allowed on the paleo diet are severely limited on a keto diet because of their natural sugar content. 

With keto, fat, protein, and carb percentages are strictly monitored, to enter and remain in a metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, the body burns fat instead of glucose for energy. The carnivore and keto diets are likely to put you into ketosis. This is not the case with paleo.

​Carnivore Vs. Paleo: Which Diet Is Best For You?

When deciding between paleo vs. carnivore, consider the following:

• Are you suffering from a metabolic disorder, diabetes, or gluten sensitivity? Either diet would probably work for you. 
• Are you lactose intolerant? Paleo will work for you, but so will carnivore in its very strictest form (with meats only and no dairy).
• The dietary restrictions of both of these diets promote weight loss and reduce the risks of chronic diseases.
• Because the carnivore diet is more restrictive than paleo, it may have the biggest impact on people struggling with their gut health or with autoimmune disorders triggered by certain foods. 
• The strict form of carnivore is very limiting for long-term use. That said, the carnivore diet and the paleo diet can both be adapted to suit your specific needs.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to paleo vs. carnivore, it can be a difficult choice. Both the diets discussed here promote a healthier lifestyle free from processed foods and added sugars. They also both limit carbohydrate intake and encourage eating unprocessed foods, particularly animal-based foods. 
 
The main difference between carnivore and paleo is that even in their strictest forms, paleo still allows non-starchy vegetables and fruits whilst carnivore does not. This difference largely falls away when you transition from a strict carnivore to a more relaxed eating plan.

​In the end, what matters is making the choice that aligns with your health goals and personal preferences.