What Is the Carnivore Diet? A Clear, Simple Overview
You’ve probably heard it described in all sorts of ways:
“Just eat steak.”
“It’s keto without the vegetables.”
“Extreme elimination diet.”
“Meat-only madness.”
The Carnivore diet has earned a reputation and some of it true, some of it wildly off the mark. So today, let’s strip it down to the basics and answer the question:
What is the Carnivore diet?
The Short Answer
The Carnivore diet is a way of eating that focuses entirely on animal-based foods; typically fatty meats, eggs, and sometimes dairy; while eliminating all plant foods.
It’s built on the idea that animal foods provide complete, bioavailable nutrition and that many people’s health issues are aggravated (or even caused) by plant compounds, processed carbs, and modern food engineering.
The Why Behind It
Most people come to Carnivore because they’re:
Dealing with chronic inflammation, pain, or autoimmune issues
Struggling with weight, blood sugar, or mental health
Burned out by diets that never feel satisfying
Seeking simplicity, satiety, and stability
In short: people are tired of overthinking food. Carnivore offers a radical reset; one that strips away the noise and gets back to nutritional basics.
What You Can Eat
While there’s some variation, most Carnivore diets include:
Beef, lamb, pork, poultry (hamburger patties and pork are my favorites)
Organs (liver, kidney, etc.) if desired (small portions is recommended)
Eggs (the true superfood)
Salt (I supplement electrolytes)
Water
Optional: butter, cheese (for those who tolerate dairy)
Some people also include seafood, bone broth, or even raw dairy and honey but those are individual choices, not required. (I disagree with honey, for me, this is not carnivore, anything that is going to trigger an insulin spike, is not part of my diet)
What You Don’t Eat
The list is simple but strict:
No vegetables or fruits
No grains or legumes
No nuts or seeds
No sugars or processed carbs
No oils from plants (like canola or soy)
It sounds intense and it is. But for many, this radical simplicity is exactly what makes it work. It’s only intense because we have been conditioned in modern society that we have to eat a certain way. Once you are eating carnivore for a few months, you will agree, its a very easy diet to follow. (perhaps boring to some)
Is It All or Nothing?
Not necessarily. Some people start with a “strict” approach for 30–90 days (meat, salt, water only), then slowly reintroduce foods to test what they tolerate.
Others adopt a more “animal-based” lifestyle that includes small amounts of fruit, raw honey, or dairy.
What matters most is intent: removing triggers, reclaiming satiety, and healing from the inside out.
Is It Safe?
We’ll dive into this more soon, especially for folks in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. But the short answer is: for most people, yes.
Animal foods are incredibly nutrient-dense. And for those dealing with chronic issues, Carnivore can be a powerful intervention. It’s not for everyone, but it’s more grounded (and more historically human) than most assume.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still wrapping your head around this, that’s good. That means you’re thoughtful. Curious. Willing to challenge assumptions.
You don’t have to be convinced. You just have to be open.
Tomorrow, I’ll share exactly how my body changed after starting Carnivore, and what I noticed first.
Stick around, we’re just getting started.
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What’s the biggest question or concern you have about the Carnivore diet? Drop it below and I’ll work it into a future post.