How to Start a Carnivore Diet

Seared duck breasts.

Are you wondering about how to start a carnivore diet and how to do it correctly right from the start?  Many people are asking and are told simply, “you just eat meat.” It turns out that it’s actually more than that.

And you need to know that it’s critical to do it right because you want to make sure your body is getting properly fed with proper nutrition.

In its simplest definition, the carnivore diet is about eating meat AND fat in the right amounts. And it’s important to remember that fat is very important in this diet.

So, if you had thoughts of eating an all-meat diet because you believe it was carnivore, think again. You could be heading for trouble if you don’t get the fat and meat ratios right.  So, beware!  Let me walk you through what it takes to adopt a healthy carnivore diet.

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Elimination Diet

The carnivore diet is an effective elimination diet because it eliminates all carbohydrates. And contrary to what we’ve been told, carbohydrates are not essential nutrients. However, fat and protein are essential.

The carnivore diet requires that you do away with all vegetation, which includes fruits, vegetables, and grains. There is no room on your plate for rice, pasta or other starchy foods either.  And it should come as no surprise that sugar in any form is off limits as well.  And that includes ditching artificial sweeteners as well. Don’t know if I need to say this but processed foods are not to touch your lips either.

We are not done yet.  You also eliminate all seed and vegetable oils as well as fruit oils including avocado and olive oils.

On a carnivore diet your fat comes from animals in the form of butter, ghee, tallow, lard, duck and chicken fat as well as bacon grease. If this seems like a big departure from the way we’ve been told to eat, you’re right! It is!  And I won’t kid you… it takes an enormous leap of faith to do something that you have been taught not to do.  But a lot of what you have been taught has been proven to be inaccurate.

The Hunter-Gatherer

Our ancestors primarily ate animal-based foods. Apparently, our digestive system was designed to eat animals and nothing has changed in millennia. As a result, we are not well-equipped to digest plant foods. That’s just a fact. When we eat in the same way our ancestors did, we get all of our essential nutrients, we build and maintain our muscle mass, and we easily keep a lean physique.

On a modern carnivore diet, you eat fat, meat, fish, fowl, eggs and some dairy. And the good news is… you don’t need spears and arrows, clubs or traps. 😊  You can get everything you need at the local supermarket. 

A Keto Diet by Any Other Name

So what’s the relationship between carnivore, keto and low carb?  The carnivore diet is the most restrictive diet within the broader spectrum of low-carb and ketogenic diets. This diet clocks in at fewer than 10g of carbs per day. It’s like a keto diet on steroids!!!

So, what does this actually mean?  It means that by removing plant-based foods, especially those with high carbohydrate content, the carnivore diet radically alters your nutritional intake and metabolic responses.  And that can lead to dramatic health improvements.

This diet makes it easy to slip into ketosis, a state where your body burns fat for fuel instead of glucose. And, that’s a good thing.  You can read more about ketosis here.

What Can I Eat?

Buttery shrimp and scallops

As I mentioned, you eat animal fat and meat such as beef, pork, lamb, venison and elk if you like. You can enjoy all fish and seafood. You can have chicken, turkey, duck or other fowl.

And by all means, have eggs and dairy as well. But beware... for some people, dairy can be a problem.  So you’ll need to gauge your response to dairy including cheeses and sour cream for instance.

How to Start a Carnivore Diet – Easy Does It!

The best advice I can give for how to start a carnivore diet is to approach it with small steps.  That’s especially true if you are not already following a low carb or keto diet. Going from a diet rich in sugar and carbs to an almost zero carb way of eating is a massive change and will likely lead to a lot of discomfort and unnecessary angst.

A better approach is to do it in stages.  For the first few days, simply cut out all fruit juices and sweetened beverages... even those with artificial sweeteners.  Enjoy clear sparkling water or plain water, tea and coffee with heavy cream.

Continue for a few days and then cut out all junk food. Do away with chips and cookies and candies. Get them out of the house. After a few days of maintaining this new regime, cut out all fruit.

At this point you’ve cut out sugary drinks and fruit juices, all junk food and all fruit. Stay the course for a few more days.

Now cut out all the grains and flour. No more rice, pasta, bread, bagels and croissants.

In a few days, remove all the starchy vegetables from your diet as well. No more potatoes, carrots or corn. And finally, remove all vegetables from your diet.

This gradual tapering approach should take a couple of weeks, so you get a chance to become acclimated. As you do away with each food group, add a bit more animal protein to your diet.

For example, if you’re used to a couple slices of toast with jam, orange juice and an egg for breakfast, eliminate the toast, jam and juice and change it to 3 eggs with a couple of strips of bacon on the side.

This is carb restriction… not calorie restriction!  You don’t want to be cutting calories. Make sure you add in enough meat and fat to feel satiated as you eliminate the other food groups.

Is This Even Sustainable?

Yes, there are hundreds of thousands of people eating this way and they are thriving. They report weight loss, increased muscle tone, better skin and even an improved sense of well-being.

It’s incredible how your body adapts to burning fat for energy. And it leaves you feeling more satisfied and less prone to cravings.

Help with Food Addiction

Speaking of cravings, the carnivore diet can also be a powerful tool to help combat food addiction.  Yes, that is a real thing!  Learn more here. 

By eating only meat and fat the cycle of sugar highs and lows becomes a thing of the past. Your blood sugar levels become stabilized which reduces hunger pangs which minimize urges for snacking. With sugar out of your diet... let’s call it sugar abstinence... you won’t find yourself craving for sweets any longer.

Of course, when you first quit sugar, it will be challenging to stay away from it. And if you have an addiction to sugar it will be particularly hard. So, even though the carnivore diet is straightforward for many folks, for others, having someone to guide them through the process can be immensely helpful.

Many men and women figure out what they need to do.  That’s a great first step.  But when it comes to actually doing it, they aren’t sure about the “how to” part.  That's especially true when the brain begins to "play tricks" and urge you to act against your goals.  Yes, that can happen.

That’s where coaching services can be helpful. With personalized plans and one-on-one support, this journey can be achieved confidently with maximum results, while avoiding common pitfalls and emotionally painful failures. Take a look at what is available to you here. 

Getting Started

Every journey starts somewhere, and this one is no exception. Here are a few pointers on how to start a carnivore diet.

1.      When you start a carnivore way of eating, keep an open mind. Your mindset is everything!

2.      Be determined.

3.      Understand that change requires an adjustment period.

4.      Be patient.

5.      Celebrate the smallest of victories.

6.      Remind yourself of why you even wanted to try this diet.

7.      Start by stocking up on quality meats and fats.

8.      Get rid of the junk.

9.      Plan your meals.

10.  Try different cooking methods.

11.  Be curious and adventurous.

12.  And if you need help along the way,

       a.      You can contact me here or

       b.      Learn about my services here. 

Many people have been exactly where you are with wanting to know how to start a carnivore diet.  Many have made this change.

And, like those who have made this big change, you can do do it too.  It all comes down to you, your commitment and getting the proper help and guidance.

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