After seeing the rise in products such as carnivore chips on the market, you may be wondering - is the carnivore diet healthy or not?
The short answer is yes, the carnivore diet can be healthy - but that doesn’t mean it’s the healthiest option for everyone. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what science has to say how healthy the carnivore diet is. We’ll talk about the potential benefits of carnivore diet, the risks, and offer tips along the way if you decide to take a chance on this diet.
Is the Carnivore Diet Healthy or Not?
Is the carnivore diet healthy? And if so, how healthy is the carnivore diet? The key to whether or not the carnivore diet is healthy depends on how it’s done and if all of your dietary needs are met. Let's discuss that in more detail.
Why a Carnivore Diet is NOT Healthy Sometimes…
A carnivore diet is one that’s made up almost entirely of animal products, like meat, eggs, fish, and dairy. It excludes plant foods like fruits and vegetables as well as grains and legumes - two food groups that make up the basis of most healthy diets according to experts.
A lack of variety in your diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies over time, particularly if the diet isn’t carefully planned with a nutritionist or health care provider.
Following a carnivore diet also doesn’t provide benefits like increased fiber intake, which is linked to a lower risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
In addition, eating excessive amounts of animal products may contribute to an unhealthy build-up of saturated fat in the body. However, if your diet consists mostly of lean meats and fish, you’ll likely be getting healthy amounts of protein and other nutrients. Recognizing how to eat a high protein diet safely is essential.
Why is the Carnivore Diet Healthy For You When Done Correctly?
So why is the carnivore diet healthy for you and when is it possible?
When done correctly and thoughtfully, a carnivore diet can be perfectly healthy. But it’s important to consider the quality of the animal products you’re eating - opting for grass-fed beef, organic eggs, and wild-caught fish will provide you with more nutrients than their conventional counterparts.
Eating a variety of meat sources like chicken, pork, beef, fish, and eggs will ensure you get a wider array of vitamins and minerals.
And if you're concerned about your environmental impact, there are plenty of ways to make sure your carnivore diet is as sustainable as possible. If done right, following a carnivore diet can reduce inflammation in the body and improve many health markers like cholesterol levels.
Is the Carnivore Diet Healthy Long-Term?
As with most things, you want to make sure you’re taking care of your health for the long run. So is the carnivore diet healthy long-term? There are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure your long term health is protected.
For one, it’s important to be mindful of potential nutrient deficiencies. It’s also important to get regular checkups with your doctor in order to monitor any changes in your health that may occur as a result of the diet. The sustainability of this type of diet is something else to consider.
Without the variety of plant foods in your diet, you’re missing out on many essential vitamins and minerals which are key for optimal health. With that being said, a carnivore diet could be very beneficial for some people if done correctly and with a balanced approach.
At the end of the day, it’s important to talk to a medical professional before making any drastic dietary changes in order to ensure you're doing what's best for your health long-term.
How Healthy is the Carnivore Diet, Though? What the Science Says & Comparison to Other Diets
So how healthy is the carnivore diet? Some experts believe that a carnivore diet can be beneficial for certain individuals, such as athletes looking to gain muscle mass in the short term, while others are more skeptical.
Proponents of the carnivore diet argue that it can help with weight loss and improve overall health. Losing weight on carnivore diet is possible through caloric restriction and an increase in protein intake, but it’s not necessarily always sustainable long-term.
They also point to studies showing that people who follow a carnivorous diet tend to have lower levels of inflammation and better cholesterol profiles than those who don't.
However, there are also some drawbacks to the carnivore diet. For one thing, it's very restrictive and doesn't provide enough variety in terms of nutrients. Additionally, since it excludes all plant-based foods, it's difficult to get enough fiber and other important vitamins and minerals without supplementation.
And because the diet eliminates many food groups, it can be difficult for some people to stick with it long-term.
When comparing the carnivore diet vs paleo or the carnivore diet vs keto, you’ll notice that the carnivore diet is much more extreme in its restrictions. While these diets do eliminate certain foods like grains or legumes, they still allow for plenty of variety when it comes to fruits and vegetables. This means that they provide more nutrients than a strictly carnivorous diet does.
However, there are thousands of people that talk about the wonderful things that have happened for them since they’ve started on it - and that’s worth considering.
Overall, whether or not a carnivore diet is healthy depends on individual needs and preferences. If someone wants to try this type of eating plan out for themselves, they should consult with their doctor first before making any drastic changes to their lifestyle or dietary habits.
Tips for Following a Healthy Carnivore Diet
Now that we’ve answered the questions “is the carnivore diet healthy?” and “how healthy is the carnivore diet?” it’s time to give some carnivore diet tips to help you jumpstart this journey.
Work With a Professional to Come Up With Your Caloric and Macronutrient Needs
When it comes to following a healthy carnivore diet, one of the most important things you can do is work with a professional to determine your caloric and macronutrient needs. A registered dietitian or nutritionist can help you come up with an individualized plan that takes into account your height, weight, activity level, health history, and more.
It's also important to make sure that you're getting enough calories each day. Many people find it helpful to keep track of how many calories they are consuming in order to ensure that they are meeting their target.
Be aware of any potential nutrient deficiencies that may arise from following a carnivore diet. While it is possible for some people to thrive on this type of eating plan, others may need additional supplements or foods to meet their micronutrient needs.
Ensure Your Nutrition is Balanced
The foundation of any healthy diet is protein and fatty acids. On the carnivore diet, look for sources like grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, or wild-caught fish to get these important macronutrients.
Additionally, don't forget to incorporate some healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado oil, eggs, fatty fish, nut butters, and ghee into your meals. This will help you get a balance of omega-3s and omega-6s in your diet.
It's also important to make sure that you're getting enough vitamins and minerals each day. Without plant-based foods in your diet, you may be missing out on important nutrients.
To make sure that you're getting all the vitamins and minerals you need, consider taking a multivitamin or mineral supplement. You can also incorporate organ meats into your diet to boost your nutrient intake.
Avoid Restricting Yourself Too Much
Remember not to restrict yourself too much. If your body is telling you that it needs something, make sure to listen and incorporate more variety into your meals.
For example, if you're feeling fatigued or lethargic, consider adding some plant-based sources like nuts and seeds for additional micronutrients. Or if you're having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, try incorporating some fruits and vegetables for added fiber.
Additionally, if dairy is not a main part of your carnivore diet, look into incorporating other calcium-rich foods such as sardines or canned salmon with their bones intact. While some things can go against the carnivore diet, you shouldn't limit yourself too much if your body needs something different.
At the end of the day, it's always important to listen to your body and make adjustments as needed in order to ensure that you're getting all of the nutrition required for optimal health. Don't be afraid to break out of rigid dietary restrictions if necessary!
Keep Healthy Carnivore Diet Snacks On Hand
It's also important to make sure that you're always prepared with healthy snacks on hand. This way, if you get hungry between meals, you don't have to resort to unhealthy options. Plus, if you're out and about and don't have access to a full meal, snacks can be a great way to get in some extra nutrition.
A new delicious snack to consider is carnivore chips. Regeneratively raised right here in the USA, these crispy, airy meta chips are sure to melt right in your mouth. Here's what we have available at the top of our carnivore diet snack list:
- ribeye chips
- steak chips
- lamb chips
- beef chips
- brisket chips
- chicken chips
- pork chips
Carnivore chips are some of the best healthy low carb snacks on the market. And they’re perfect for those starting the carnivore diet on a budget.
How to Cook Delicious Meals on a Carnivore Diet
Cooking delicious meals on the carnivore diet doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Make sure you're using high-quality ingredients. Grass-fed meats, free-range poultry, and wild-caught fish. These are all excellent sources of protein that will contribute to delicious dishes.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices to bring out natural flavors in your food.
- Try different cooking techniques such as roasting, sautéing, or grilling to bring out the best flavor from your food.
- Make sure to include fat as part of your meal; fats provide essential nutrients and help add flavor as well as texture.
- Find new ways to enjoy traditional dishes. For example, try roasting beef with garlic and rosemary instead of baking it plain.
- Experiment with alternative ingredients like organ meats, bone broth, and wild salmon to give your dishes added flavor or texture. And look into what is allowed on the carnivore diet.
Final Thoughts on Following a Healthy Carnivore Diet Plan
So is the carnivore diet healthy? It is if you’re doing it right!
If you're thinking about following a carnivore diet, it's important to make sure that you do so in a way that is safe and healthy for your body.
This can be done by balancing out your meals and snacks with an appropriate amount of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals; listening to your body's needs and adjusting accordingly; and keeping healthy carnivore diet snacks on hand in case you're ever in a pinch. Don't forget to get your doctor's opinion before making any big dietary changes!
So what’s next? Check out our post that talks more about the carnivore diet pros and cons if you want to learn a bit more. And for those looking for a new fun way to snack on the carnivore diet, check out our mouth-watering meat chips! All our meat is sourced by regenerative agricultural practices so you know you're getting the good stuff. Try it out today.
