Are you just starting the carnivore diet? Or, have you begun the journey but struggled to stay on track and resist cravings while staying within budget? Either way, you've come to the right place. Today, we're going to provide you with some carnivore diet tips and tricks for success.
The carnivore diet offers an incredible range of benefits - which is why it's quickly gained popularity among the masses. However, any goal worth achieving comes with its challenges - and this diet is no exception. With that said, you'll find it far easier and more affordable to follow this diet and reap all the benefits it has to offer after you've read this guide.
Before we share our top tips for carnivore diet followers, lets provide a brief overview of the diet for those just getting started.
What Exactly is the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet, also known as the all-meat diet or zero-carbohydrate diet, is exactly what it sounds like - a diet that consists only of animal products. This means no fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, or processed foods of any kind. Instead, your meals consist of red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy-based products like milk or cheese.
This diet produces an array of benefits - including rapid weight loss, improved mental clarity, decreased inflammation, and more. It's also been shown to help improve conditions like type 2 diabetes, Crohn's disease, and arthritis.
Why carnivore dieters see such incredible results is still unknown - but there are a few theories. For one, this way of eating helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation throughout the body. Additionally, it's thought that by eliminating processed foods and other inflammatory agents from the diet, carnivore dieters give their bodies a chance to heal and function optimally.
Why We're Here to Offer Tips for Starting the Carnivore Diet
While nobody can deny the benefits of the carnivore diet, there is a common problem those who start it experience: it's hard. There are two reasons people struggle when first starting this diet:
- Cravings
- Cost
Obviously, the foods you'll eat on this diet are low-carb or zero-carb. And, as we all know, carbs are addicting. When you first ditch them, you're going to experience some intense cravings - especially for sugary foods.
Additionally, carnivore dieters often report feeling weak or tired during the first few weeks of adapting to this way of eating. This is likely due to a lack of energy from not consuming enough calories or nutrients.
The carnivore diet can also be expensive - especially if you're used to eating a lot of processed foods or takeouts. A pound of ground beef can cost upwards of $5, while a rotisserie chicken can set you back $10 or more. And, if you're eating out at restaurants, carnivore-friendly options can be even pricier.
So, how can you overcome these carnivore diet challenges and set yourself up for success? Keep reading to find out. Our tips for starting the carnivore diet will help you meet your goals - without going broke or feeling hangry all the time.
Carnivore Diet Tips and Tricks for Success
Ready to discover the top carnivore diet tips and tricks for success? Below, we'll highlight some of the tips we wish we had been given when we first started out. These suggestions will make it far easier, more affordable, and enjoyable to stick to your diet. First things first - start with a why.
Start With a Why
Everyone has their reason for starting the carnivore diet. Maybe you’ve seen firsthand the transformation someone in your life made through this diet. You want to take on your own weight loss journey now - and your goal is to drop X pounds over the next year.
Or, perhaps you just want to eliminate inflammation from your body and feel better. Maybe the goal is to live as long as possible - and you believe the carnivore diet is your best chance at that.
Whatever your reason for starting the carnivore diet, it needs to be one that you can fall back on when times get tough. If you’re just doing this because “it sounds fun” or “it’s the latest trend”, you’ll quit or cheat when you hit a rough patch. But if you’re passionate and rooted in your reason for beginning the carnivore diet, you’ll find it easier to power through.
Plan Your Meals in Advance
One of the best carnivore diet tips we can give you is to meal plan in advance. This will help you save both money and time throughout the week. Decide what you're going to make for each meal ahead of time, then create a grocery list accordingly. When you have a plan, you're less likely to make impulsive (and expensive) decisions when you're at the store or feeling hangry.
In general, this is just sound life advice. It will help you enjoy peace of mind going through your day-to-day responsibilities knowing your meals are at least covered. And if you want to really get the hassle of shopping and cooking off your plate (pun intended), keep reading…
Consider Carnivore Diet Meal Delivery Services
If you don't have time to cook or meal plan, carnivore diet meal delivery services can be a lifesaver. These companies will do all the work for you - from grocery shopping to cooking and portioning out your meals. All you have to do is heat them up and eat.
While carnivore diet meal delivery services are convenient, they can also be pricey. So, if you're on a budget, we recommend sticking to tip number one. We also have seen quite a few of these services that fall short of expectations in terms of nutritional content. You also lose control over your meals - in terms of taste, portions, and ingredients. Sure - you can customize these to some degree with your service provider, but not nearly as much as you could handling cooking yourself.
Get Creative With Your Snacks
The bulk of your nutrition is going to come from a few big meals a day - sometimes, just one huge meal. However, what about those mid-day or late-night cravings that inevitably strike? This is why it’s so important to have an arsenal of snacks on hand that align with your goals and keep you sane.
Choosing the right snacks is hard on the carnivore diet, though. Few snacks meet the standards of this diet. And those that do are typically bland and boring.
That’s where Carnivore Snax comes in.
Our carnivore chips are a great way to satisfy your cravings while sticking to your carnivore diet plan. With heaps of protein and zero carbs, they’re perfect for meeting your macros. These crispy meat snacks melt in your mouth and offer a tantalizing taste that you’ll fall in love with fast.
The best part is that only two ingredients are used - so you don’t have to stress over what you’re putting in your body. No artificial flavors, no preservatives - just meat and salt. And with so many different cuts of meat to choose from, you’ll never get bored! We’ve got everything from ribeye chips to chicken chips, steak chips, lamb chips, pork chips, and brisket chips
Some other popular carnivore diet snacks include:
- Beef jerky
- Canned tuna or salmon
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Deli Meats
These are also good to have on hand, but you’ll tire of them quickly. With that said, there are tons of other carnivore snack recipes online that you can make at home to spice things up. But the best way is to keep Carnivore Snax on hand!
Get Support From Others on the Carnivore Diet
When starting any new diet or lifestyle change, it's always helpful to have a support system. carnivore diet Facebook groups are a great way to connect with other carnivore dieters, ask questions, and get tips and advice.
These groups can also provide valuable accountability - something we all need when trying to stick to a new diet. Better yet, see if you can convince a friend or family member to join the journey with you!
Look for Ways to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill
One of the main reasons people end up quitting the carnivore diet too early is the cost. It’s no secret that this diet costs more than any other diet, and that will continue as meat prices keep rising. But - you get what you pay for in this life, and nutrition is no different. Health is wealth - so the solution isn’t to stop this diet altogether. Instead, look for ways to cut costs without compromising your health.
There are plenty of ways to stick to your carnivore diet plan without breaking the bank. For example, you can buy in bulk or shop at discount grocery stores. Another great approach is to join a carnivore co-op or buying club.
Be Smart When Dining Out
Eating out while on the carnivore diet can be tough, but it doesn't have to be impossible. Here are a few tips that will make it easier:
- Call ahead and ask about carnivore diet-friendly options
- Stick to carnivore diet-friendly restaurants
- Ask for your meat to be cooked without added sauces or seasonings
You don’t have to say goodbye to your social life just because your family and friends aren’t following the same diet you are. You can also consider eating food at home and joining up with the crew for some drinks and conversation while they dine!
Keep a Food Journal & Take Frequent Progress Photos
A carnivore diet food journal is a great way to track your carnivore diet progress, see what's working, and identify any areas that need improvement. Plus, it can be very motivating to look back and see how far you've come. When starting a carnivore diet food journal, be sure to track:
- Your carnivore diet before and after photos
- Your carnivore diet meals and snacks
- Your carnivore diet cravings and hunger levels
- Your energy levels throughout the day
- Your carnivore diet progress (weight loss, inches lost, etc.)
Keeping all of this information jotted down will help you troubleshoot sticking points in your diet. It will also show you how far you’ve come. This tip for carnivore diet followers is definitely one of the most important.
Stay Consistent & Give the Diet a Real Chance
You’d be surprised how long it takes to see tangible results from any sort of life change - especially dieting. The length of time it will take to see results varies from person to person. However, we encourage you to give it at least 90 days on the carnivore diet before making any decisions about the future.
Far too often, we’ve seen people quit this diet after 2 weeks because they didn’t lose an inch off their waistline or see the scale drop. It takes a while to reverse the effects of your previous diet - so be patient!
Don’t Restrict Yourself
It’s easy to think that the carnivore diet is about limiting your caloric intake - after all, that’s what people interpret from the word “diet”. But this is a common misconception. While on the carnivore diet, you can actually eat as much as you want - since you’re eating protein-dense foods.
You’ll find that you feel full and don’t actually end up binge eating when you follow this diet correctly. On the other hand, if you’re carefully weighing out each portion of the meat you eat and not giving yourself an ounce more than what’s recommended, you’re far more likely to give in to your urges and cravings.
Give Your Body Time to Adjust Digestion Wise
When first transitioning into the carnivore diet, you may experience digestion issues. This is entirely normal. There are two common outcomes here: constipation or diarrhea. Both of these can be solved through supplementation.
For diarrhea, add HCL and digestive enzymes to your diet. For constipation, add magnesium. Over time, you can cut back on these supplements as your body processes the meat-based diet better.
Prepare for Questions - and Answer Them Earnestly!
There is undoubtedly a stigma around the carnivore diet in certain groups. Maybe you have a vegan friend or family member who has serious concerns about the life choices you’re making. You can expect them to ask questions or point out flaws in your diet. Rather than getting uncomfortable or shy - or angry - answer these questions earnestly.
Explain your “why” for starting the carnivore diet. Maybe it’s for the weight loss results it’s proven to offer - or, perhaps you’re trying to become more resistant to certain diseases. Point out the research and see if you can introduce someone else to this life-changing diet!
Wrapping Up Our Tips for Carnivore Diet Followers
We hope our breakdown of the success tips on the carnivore diet helps you navigate this journey with confidence and grace. You’re embarking on a life-changing process - and it’s going to be difficult. Embrace the challenge and take it head on!
By following the carnivore diet tips and tricks above, you'll be well on your way to carnivore diet success. Just remember to be patient, take things one step at a time, and be prepared for some trial and error. carnivore dieting is not an exact science, so don't get too discouraged if you have a few slip-ups along the way. The most important thing is that you keep moving forward and stay committed to your carnivore diet goals.
