THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
It’s no secret that finding acceptable snacks on carnivore diet can be difficult. It seems as if your options are slim to none - and you find yourself just eating boiled eggs and beef jerky every day. But can you eat canned tuna on carnivore diet every now and then, too?
You’d think the canned tuna carnivore diet connection is a perfect fit. Tuna is technically animal-based, right? Well, there’s a bit more to this conversation than initially meets the eye.
Short answer is yes. Canned tuna meets the criteria as an animal-based, zero-carb protein source. But not all canned tuna is created equal, as we’ll explore below. It’s also important to note that canned tuna isn’t as nutritionally beneficial as you may have thought.
Don’t worry, we’ll show you how you can safely enjoy canned tuna on carnivore diet, and more importantly, our favorite canned tuna carnivore diet alternatives. Our meat chips, for instance, are a far better fit for most carnivore dieters.
You get just two high-quality ingredients in every bite: regeneratively raised meat and Redmond Real Salt. They start out with a delightfully crispy texture before melting in your mouth, as the tantalizing flavors take control of your taste buds.
Find out what separates our chips from other carnivore diet snacks today!
“I don’t know which one is better the brisket or the ribeye. They are both amazing and you won’t be disappointed with either choice.” - Michael
“Carnivore Snax has completely changed the game for me. It’s hands down my favorite snack—so much so that I eat it with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. I honestly have a hard time keeping enough stocked at home because I go through bags so fast. The taste, the texture, the quality—everything is spot on.” - Samuel
“When I initially saw Carnivore Snax, I thought it was just a fad, but I took a chance and ordered them and I have to say that this is the best snack that I’ve ever had. It is perfect for people who try to keep a low-carb lifestyle and it is truly fulfilling. Worth every cent.” - Michael
Overview of Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet is about getting back to basics and fueling your body with what it evolved to thrive on: animal-based foods. The premise is simple. You eat meat, fish, eggs, and, if tolerated, some dairy. That’s it! No veggies, fruits, grains, sugars, plant oils, or other processed junk.
The idea is to eliminate modern, inflammatory foods and give your body nothing but nutrient-dense, bioavailable fuel. This is where the benefits come from, as the diet could support a healthier inflammatory response and address a multitude of issues people are plagued with.
Some come to the carnivore to manage autoimmune issues or nurture their gut health. Others find the regimen helps them avoid the energy ups and downs of carb-heavy diets, or that frustrating brain fog.
We even have a lot of people in our community who rely on the diet to cut fat while preserving muscle. The possibilities are endless with the carnivore diet when you do it right - clearer skin, better mental focus, and surprisingly strong satiety on fewer meals per day!
It’s also so much simpler than other diets that force you to count calories or balanced 20 different food groups. The carnivore diet food list is incredibly narrow, so you won’t have to wonder what’s for dinner.
But, the super exclusionary carnivore diet rules can also be a downside for many newcomers. Eating nothing but meat can feel restrictive at times, and it takes planning. Social situations, dining out, and especially snacking can trip you up.
Most traditional snacks are off the table: chips, bars, trail mix are all loaded with plant-based ingredients. That doesn’t mean you don’t have options on the carnivore meal plan, though. So, can you eat canned tuna on carnivore diet or not?
Can You Eat Canned Tuna on Carnivore Diet?
Yes, canned tuna technically fits the criteria for carnivore diet in that it’s a pure animal product, packed with protein, no carbs, and no plant-based fillers - in its unflavored form, that is. It’s totally acceptable within carnivore guidelines from a macro standpoint.
Whether you’re strict carnivore, keto-carnivore, or just cutting out plants, tuna is a viable choice. That said, just because it fits doesn’t automatically mean it’s the best choice, and how it’s packaged matters a lot more than most people realize.
A lot of your options at the grocery store are loaded with unwanted ingredients that go against the clean, minimal philosophy of carnivore eating. For example, some cans package the tuna with vegetable oil (like soybean or canola). These highly processed seed oils are problematic.
Meanwhile, flavored tuna packets often include sugar, soy sauce, MSG, and even starch to improve taste or texture. Because let’s be honest: canned tuna isn’t exactly a delicacy.
That’s why it’s so important that you stick to versions packed in water or in its own juices, with no added flavorings or preservatives. Look at the label and make sure the only ingredients are tuna, water or salt. Nothing else.
Better yet, we suggest you opt for sustainably caught tuna, like skipjack or yellowfin, over albacore. Not only are these options lower in mercury (more on that shortly), but they also tend to have a cleaner, fresher taste.
Pay attention to sodium content if you’re eating canned tuna on carnivore diet frequently, too. Some cans are very high in salt, which isn’t a bad thing - unless you overdo it. Excess sodium can cause bloating and other issues in the long term.
We recommend pairing tuna with fattier cuts of meat or adding animal fats like butter or tallow, since tuna is extremely lean and can leave you hungry on its own. It’s not a staple, but definitely something you can supplement your other high protein low calorie snacks with!
Is Canned Tuna Good For Carnivore Diet, Though?
Technically you can enjoy it, but is canned tuna good for carnivore diet? This is a bit trickier to answer. Let’s take a closer look at its nutritional profile and a few reasons we choose to avoid it altogether in our nutritional regimen.
Nutritional Profile of Canned Tuna
Canned tuna is undeniably high in protein and low in calories. You get around 25-30 grams of protein and virtually no fat or carbs in a single can. It’s a great way to keep your protein intake high without adding much fat or calories since it’s so lean.
It’s also a good source of selenium, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. That said, the omega-3 content is lower in canned tuna than in fresh or frozen fillets.
This all sounds great - until you realize just how important high fat low carb snacks are on carnivore diet. Fat is your primary source of fuel when you cut out carbs, after all. Canned tuna has little to no fat.
A diet that’s too heavy in lean protein without enough fat can leave you feeling hungry, tired, or even cause digestive issues like diarrhea. Tuna on its own won’t satisfy you the same way a fatty ribeye or lamb shoulder does.
Mercury and Sustainability Concerns
Another reason we’re hesitant to eat much canned tuna are the concerns with mercury and sustainability. This larger, longer-living fish has a lot of time to accumulate higher levels of mercury compared to smaller fish. This could expose you to harmful levels in turn.
We touched on this a bit earlier, but this concern can be mitigated by sourcing light tuna (usually skipjack), which tends to be lower in mercury, and keep it to a couple of servings per week.
Sustainability needs to be taken into consideration as well, though. Overfishing and poor environmental practices have hurt tuna stocks. Look for brands that are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified or otherwise transparent about their sourcing.
Better Alternatives to Canned Tuna on Carnivore Diet
Tuna is fine as an occasional snack or convenient fallback option - but don’t let it become a cornerstone of your carnivore diet. It’s too lean to keep you full and support hormone health long-term, and relying on it too heavily increases your mercury exposure risk.
Instead, think of tuna as one part of your snacking arsenal. So, what other snacks can you trust as part of your nutritional regimen? Here are some of our personal favorites.
Carnivore Snax
Our meat chips are everything canned tuna isn’t: rich, satisfying, and made with nothing but regeneratively raised meat and mineral-rich salt. They’re loaded with clean, bioavailable protein and fat in a crispy, shelf-stable form that actually keeps you full.
The texture is light and airy, but the chips quickly melt in your mouth almost like a meaty pastry. You’ll be overwhelmed by delicious, umami flavors across all our varieties:
There are just two ingredients: meat and salt. We source our meat from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms in the nation, too. You can feel good about indulging in carnivore chips.
Whether you’re at your desk, on the road, or hiking a trail, Carnivore Snax gives you real nourishment without compromise. You’ll never want to go back to dry tuna straight from a can once you try them!
Other Snacks to Try
Don’t make yourself miserable choking down canned tuna on carnivore diet. The animal kingdom has provided plenty of other snacks worth trying:
- Ribeye or Ground Beef: Cook up some ribeye slices or seasoned ground beef and keep them in the fridge. High in fat and protein for great satiety and flavor.
- Eggs: Hard-boiled, scrambled, or fried eggs are quick, portable, and loaded with nutrients beyond just protein.
- Wild-Caught Salmon or Sardines: Fatty fish options lower in mercury than tuna, plus rich in omega-3s and more flavorful.
- Organ Meats: Liver, heart, or kidney bring unbeatable nutrient density you simply won’t find in lean canned tuna.
- Hard Cheeses: Portable, calorie-dense, and satisfying. Just keep portions moderate if you’re sensitive to dairy.
- Lamb Chops or Pork Belly: Try these fatty, flavorful cuts that make excellent snacks or quick meals.
These options deliver better nutrition, better flavor, and better satisfaction than canned tuna ever could - so don’t settle. You deserve better than canned tuna on carnivore diet!
Closing Thoughts on Our Canned Tuna Carnivore Diet Guide
So can you eat canned tuna on carnivore diet? Technically speaking, the answer is yes. Is canned tuna GOOD for carnivore diet, though? We think not.
It’s animal-based, high in protein, and convenient. That’s where the benefits end. It’s too lean, carries mercury risks, and hard to actually enjoy. There are way more satisfying, nutrient-dense options like fatty cuts of meat, organ meats, and snacks designed specifically for carnivores.
On that note, the only thing left to do today is enjoy the perfect balance of clean ingredients, flavor, and convenience without compromise. Shop Carnivore Snax today and taste the difference!
