Complete Carnivore Diet Food List - Beginner Friendly - Clean Keto Lifestyle (2024)

The Carnivore Diet is a way of eating that restricts the foods that you eat to mainly animal meats and fats. It acts as an elimination diet and is also extremely low in carbs. Knowing what to eat on a Carnivore Diet is the key to a successful implementation so we have created a comprehensive Carnivore Diet Food List.

Understanding the Different Versions of the Carnivore Diet

There are several different versions of the carnivore diet ranging from the most restrictive to a little more lenient on what foods you can eat. Let's walk through each version in detail:

• Hardcore Carnivore - The most strict version in which you would only eat animal meat and animal fats. This version is zero carbs.
• Intermediate Carnivore - The version adds in low-carb dairy products.
• Keto Carnivore - This is a combination of ketogenic diet and carnivore diet in which you would eat animal meat and animal fats for the majority of your diet, but also add in some low-carb vegetables and non-animal fats.

To keep everything straight, we have created a carnivore food list for each version to make trying out the diet as easy a possible.

Carnivore Diet Food List

In all versions of the carnivore diet, these foods are the cornerstone of the diet. Here is a food list for your reference:

Meats

• Beef (all cuts - steak, ground beef, chuck roast, beef ribs, etc.)
• Chicken (all cuts - breasts, thighs, wings, legs)
• Pork (all cuts - sugar-free bacon, ribs, tenderloin, chops, shoulder, etc.)
• Lamb (all cuts - shank, breast, chops, ribs, etc.)
• Seafood (all varieties - oysters, salmon, tuna, shrimp, sardines, etc.)
• Organs (liver, heart, tongue, etc.)
• Eggs
• Bone Broth

Fats

• Beef Tallow
• Lard
• Chicken or Duck Fat
• Butter
• Ghee

Stop here if you want to do Hardcore Carnivore. For seasoning, stick to just salt. We like pink Himalayan Salt, Redmond's Real Salt, and Celtic Sea Salt, which are all rich in minerals.

Here is a easy reference guide for the Carnivore Diet Food List.

Foods to Eat on Intermediate Carnivore

For the Intermediate Carnivore diet, which allows for a small amount of carbs, you can add in dairy. Stick to full-fat versions of dairy, which are lower in carbohydrates. That means skipping on skim milk or other low-fat cheeses. Also, make sure you are buying real butter and not margarine or other butter substitutes.

Here is a food list of acceptable dairy products:

Dairy

• Butter
• Ghee
• Full-fat milk
• Heavy cream
• Cheese

Foods to Eat on Keto Carnivore

For Keto Carnivore, you will center your diet around animal meats and fats, but can add in small amounts of high-quality plant-based fats and some low-carb vegetables.

Here is a food list of some Keto Carnivore low-carb plant options:

Plant Based Fats

• Avocado oil
• Coconut oil
• Extra-virgin olive oil

When it comes to fats - only opt for unrefined, whole food fats. Avoid anything processed like vegetable oils, sunflower oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.

Low-Carb Vegetables (small portion)

• Asparagus
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Cucumbers
• Celery
• Zucchini
• Cauliflower

For Keto Carnivore, these vegetables should just be used a small side to your meal rather than be the main dish. Fill most of your plate with animal based foods and use these sparingly.

Food Quality on the Carnivore Diet

The quality of the foods you are eating on the carnivore diet is very important.

For the animal meat, it is worth the extra effort to find and purchase quality protein. It is important for your health to eat the most nutrient dense, clean protein available with a healthier fat profile (aka more omega-3’s) and more Vitamin E, beta-carotene, Vitamin A, zinc, iron and potassium. Look for labels like grass-fed beef, pastured poultry & eggs, and wild-caught seafood. Butcher Box is our favorite website to buy quality meats.

When it comes to fats, these should have no added ingredients and always opt for organic and grass-fed versions when available to limit your exposure to GMO’s, pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins.

What to Drink on the Carnivore Diet

When implementing the carnivore diet, water is the main drink of choice. Opt for filtered water and add a pinch of salt to your water to provide minerals and keep you hydrated.

Bone broth is also a good option. Bone broth is liquid made from animal bones and connective tissue. It is full of collagen and nutrients and is great for hydration as well. Our favorite brands that are available in the grocery store are Kettle & Fire and Bonafide Provisions.

If you are doing Intermediate Carnivore, you can add full-fat milk to your diet. If possible, raw milk is the best option as it is full of beneficial probiotics and enzymes.

Carnivore Diet Food Guidelines

When it comes to eating on the carnivore diet, there are no specific macros to follow. You should just eat each meal until you are satiated and there is no need to count calories. This means you don't have to overthink your meals, which takes a lot of stress out of the "what's for dinner" question. Just roast, grill, or sear some protein in animal fat and top it with some salt.

The one tip that we have is to make sure you are eating enough fat. Fat is a crucial macronutrient that is a source of essential fatty acids, which the body cannot make itself. Fat also aids in the absorption of vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E. To ensure you are consuming enough fat, opt for fattier cuts of meat or make sure to cook a leaner protein (like most seafood) in fat. Think shrimp cooked in lots of butter!

If you are looking for a meal plan you can easily follow, check our our Carnivore Diet Meal Plan. Like anything new in your diet, check with your doctor before beginning this way of eating.

Carnivore Diet Food List Common Questions

Other Low-Carb Resources

• High Protein Ketogenic Diet Explained
• Keto for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide
• The Importance of Food Quality
• Intermittent Fasting Explained