Can You Use Seasonings On The Carnivore Diet?

What’s life without seasoning? Most people use seasonings to bring out the taste in their food and give dishes that extra bit of flavor. Many dishes simply aren't as enjoyable without a dash of seasoning. But can you use seasonings while on the carnivore diet? 

The carnivore diet, in its strictest form, can be very limiting, but that doesn’t mean your meals can’t taste good. Read on to discover the facts about carnivore diet seasonings, and how they can make the diet easier to stick to.

​So, Can You Use Seasonings On The Carnivore Diet?

When you’re first getting started on the carnivore diet, you’ll likely be following the strictest version of it. This is especially true if you are going to be a strict carnivore for health reasons. On the strict form of carnivore, its meat and organ meats only, with water as the only beverage. 

You may, however, use salt to season your meats.

On the less restrictive version of the carnivore diet, you may choose to introduce some dairy and eggs. The emphasis will still be on meat and organ meats, but you’ll have a bit more versatility in your meals. At this stage, you may introduce coffee and tea, as well as herbs and spices.

​Carnivore Diet Goals

The meat-only diet is restrictive. It means cutting out all other foods, particularly processed foods, carbs and sugars. 

There are many potential health benefits but this diet is meant to be temporary. Even people who derive great health benefits from the carnivore diet eventually ease into a more relaxed version of it, like ketovore, the middle ground between carnivore and the ketogenic diet.

The carnivore diet aims to remove foods that may be triggering allergies, autoimmune responses, inflammation and other health issues. Therefore, processed foods, plant foods, and known allergens are avoided until your health stabilizes. 

​Satisfying Your Taste Buds On The Carnivore Diet

When food tastes good, you’re more likely to want to eat it again. Seasonings can turn even the blandest meal into a symphony of flavor. That’s why it is so important in the carnivore diet. A meat-only diet can get boring very quickly if you don’t do something to make meals more exciting. 

Fortunately, it is possible to tickle those taste buds with the addition of some herbs and spices. Be sure to use them fresh whenever possible, to get the most health benefits. Yes, your seasonings can boost your health, too!

​What Seasonings Can You Eat On An All-Meat Diet?

Some carnivore dieters are on the eating plan not because of medical issues, but to lose weight. The carnivore diet can be as effective as the keto diet for weight loss. Because it excludes carbs, the body turns to burning fat as its fuel source. 

You’ll see results fast. But what do you do about those lingering carvings?

Handle the cravings through the judicious use of seasonings. With a little ingenuity, you won’t miss out on taste even though you’re only eating meat. So, which herbs and spices should you use when you move to the maintenance stage of the carnivore diet?

​Herbs And Spices For Health

If you decide to bring seasonings back into your diet, onion powder can be used as a dry rub on meats, and garlic powder adds more depth to many meat dishes. They’re good for other reasons, too.

Garlic can reduce the risk of heart disease, improve blood pressure, lower cholesterol and much more. Onion powder contains the antioxidant vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system. 

Oregano, dried rosemary, turmeric, and clove are also high in antioxidants. But whatever you choose, use small amounts at first. You’ll have become accustomed to food without seasoning and may find anything more than a pinch of spice overpowering. 

Keep it simple. A prime cut of beef steak is sublime with ordinary salt and black pepper. Pork is sensational with a fragrant herb like thyme. And nothing beats a little drizzle of lemon on fish.

​The Carnivore Dieter's Alternatives To Seasonings

You may find that certain seasonings, like chili and pepper-based seasonings, cause you digestive issues. Or you just might not be a big fan of the available seasonings on the market. The seasonings you consume will be dictated by your reaction to them, and your individual preferences.

Are there any alternatives to seasonings for perking up your meaty meals? Yes, there are! You don’t have to use hot spices, or plant-based herbal seasonings if you don’t want to. 

Eliminate spices and enhance the taste of meat with more fat like tallow. The natural flavors of meat are often lost under too much seasoning and sauce. After a while on the carnivore diet, you will rediscover this secret. That’s why the carnivore diet is not short on tasty recipes, no matter what type of carnivore you are.

You’ll have more energy, greater mental clarity, better health and sharper taste buds on the carnivore diet. And when you mix various meats together in your carnivore dishes, you can create new taste sensations. So, add flavor to your meat dish by adding other meats. 

​Why Do Some Carnivores Avoid Seasoning?

There are two main reasons why some carnivores avoid seasoning.
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1. A misunderstanding about the aims of the carnivore diet. Some people new to carnivores believe that they have to eat meat and only meat, for the rest of their days. And that means that plant-based ingredients are forbidden. 

You can slowly introduce other foods in small quantities if and when you can tolerate them. If a sprinkle of herbs helps you enjoy your meat more, go for it. 

2. Fear that seasonings will trigger the very health problems that made them go carnivore in the first place. This is a valid concern. Some seasonings contain hidden dangers. They are the seasonings carnivore dieters should avoid.

​What Seasonings Should Carnivore Dieters Avoid?

​Are spices allowed? Yes, once you’ve left the initial strict stage. Be aware that although seasonings are allowed, it does not mean they are all good for you. Let’s take a closer look at those seasonings you should rather avoid.

1. ​Seasoning ‘Mixes’

Many people turn to the carnivore diet for help with autoimmune disorders like celiac disease. Celiac sufferers can’t eat foods containing gluten, which is found in grains including wheat, barley, and rye. Unfortunately, some seasoning mixes contain wheat starch as an anti-caking agent.

2. ​Sweetened Seasonings

It may surprise you to learn that condiments, like barbecue sauce and ketchup,  contain hidden sugars. The carnivore diet eliminates not only the complex carbs found in the plant-based diet but also simple carbs like sugar. Added sugars can negatively impact your health. Stick to sugar-free seasonings.

3. ​Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Artificial seasonings, loaded with unhealthy additives and anti-nutrients add flavor, but it’s not the healthy kind. The synthetic flavor enhancer MSG is found in many condiments and seasonings. Opinion is divided about whether MSG is harmful to health, but some people are particularly sensitive to it.

Final Thoughts

You might have thought that just because you follow a carnivore diet, seasonings are a no-no. However, although you’re cutting out certain food groups, you don’t have to cut out the flavor! The carnivore diet can be every bit as tasty as other diets, with the right seasonings. 

Remember to read the labels on those seasonings. Some contain ingredients that will cause ill effects for people with certain health conditions. Preferably use fresh herbs and spices, and stay away from artificial seasonings. You’ll know exactly what you’re eating, and enjoy health benefits.