The carnivore diet can lead to impressive health transformations, both inside and out. From carnivore diet for weight loss to mental clarity, better inflammatory response, and more, there are so many benefits of carnivore diet.
The only problem is finding snacks for carnivore diet that actually satisfy your cravings while still aligning with the diet’s principles. You likely already know that the concept is to avoid all plant-based foods, which nuts fall into.
So, can you eat nuts on carnivore diet? Technically, no - you cannot. While these do offer nutritional benefits ranging from healthy fat to protein, they don’t align with the animal-based requirements of the diet.
You can learn more below about why no nuts on carnivore diet are allowed and whether or not you should consider following a modified carnivore diet. We’ll also introduce you to some of the best low carb snacks you can indulge instead, including our meat chips.
With just two ingredients (meat and salt), they’re a perfect pairing for the diet’s strict, exclusionary nature. They’re delicious and nutritious, and sure to be your new favorite treat!
What is the Carnivore Diet?
Those who are new here may be wondering, what is the carnivore diet - and is the carnivore diet healthy, or just another fad?
Nutritional Requirements
This nutritional regimen is unique in that you can technically eat as much as you want, whenever you want, so long as it adheres to the carnivore diet guidelines. So, what is allowed on the carnivore diet? As the name suggests, only animal-based products. That includes:
- Meats: Beef, pork, lamb are the best cuts of meat for carnivore diet. You’ll want to include organ meats as well for their rich vitamin and mineral content.
- Fish and Seafood: Salmon, sardines, and shellfish are included for their omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients.
- Eggs: A rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- Dairy: Limited to those who can tolerate it, focusing on high-fat options like butter and cheese.
The foundational belief behind the carnivore diet is that humans thrive on a diet similar to that of our ancestors, who primarily consumed animal products. That means no fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, or seeds.
Key Benefits
The rationale is that plant foods contain anti-nutrients like lectins, oxalates, and phytates, which can interfere with nutrient absorption and cause digestive issues for some individuals.
Sounds great in theory - but does the carnivore diet work? While individual results vary, the carnivore diet results can be astounding. These include:
- Weight Loss: The combination of protein and fat helps reduce overall calorie intake by promoting fullness and reducing cravings. You’ll also feel less bloated with a lower-carb diet free from sugar, gluten, soy, and other problematic components in plant-based food.
- Improved Mental Clarity: The stable energy supply from fats and proteins, along with the elimination of blood sugar fluctuations, often enhances cognitive function.
- Enhanced Digestive Health: Removing fibrous plant materials and anti-nutrients can alleviate digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many people report better digestion and regularity on this diet.
- Reduced Inflammation: Eliminated processed foods, sugars, and potential allergens found in plant foods may reduce systemic inflammation. This can lead to decreased joint pain, improved skin conditions, and better overall health.
You can learn more about the pros and cons of carnivore diet in our blog along with the potential side effects of carnivore diet. For now, let’s turn our attention to the topic of carnivore diet nuts.
Can You Eat Nuts on Carnivore Diet?
So, can you eat nuts on carnivore diet? We’ll look at some of the reasons you’d want to include nuts in your diet in the first place along with the reasoning behind why no nuts on carnivore diet are allowed.
The Benefits of Nuts
Nuts are a protein powerhouse packed with healthy fats. More specifically, they contain essential amino acids necessary for various bodily functions.
The fats they contain are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health. They can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol levels, promoting cardiovascular health.
Many nuts are loaded with essential nutrients such as vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, too. These all have their place in the body, including maintaining healthy skin, bones, and supporting overall metabolic function.
The antioxidant content in nuts can help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. These compounds are polyphenols and they essential shield your cells from damage.
There’s a lot to love about nuts - so can you eat nuts on carnivore diet? Unfortunately, you cannot. At least, not as the diet is intended. So, why no nuts on carnivore diet?
Why No Nuts on Carnivore Diet, Then?
At its core, the carnivore diet involves consuming solely animal products. Nuts come from trees - it’s really that simple. Here are some of the other reasons you should avoid eating carnivore diet nuts:
- Carbohydrate Content: While the focus is typically on the protein and fat content of nuts, the carbs can interfere with the state of ketosis that the carnivore diet aims to achieve and maintain.
- Anti-Nutrients: Despite all the nutritional benefits, nuts also contain phytates and oxalates, which can bind to minerals and reduce their absorption in the body. In other words, they may cause digestive issues and hinder the absorption of essential nutrients.
- Potential Allergens: While not an issue for everyone, nuts are common allergens and can cause adverse reactions in some individuals.
So, you’ll want to steer clear of nuts to reap the full benefits carnivore has to offer. That being said, if you’re passionate about this snack, there is a middle ground where you can enjoy carnivore diet nuts…
The Modified Carnivore Diet Concept
The carnivore diet is incredibly exclusionary - but like most protocols, there is some room for interpretation and customization. Modifying the carnivore diet is becoming more and more common.
While your focus should remain on following a predominantly animal-based diet, you can continue to enjoy nuts sparingly to satisfy your cravings while getting some of the nutritional benefits we described earlier.
Our advice on this is to start by following the diet exactly as it’s laid out. That means adapting to an all-animal-based diet for at least a few weeks or better yet, a few months. After this, you’ll have a new health baseline.
At that point you can re-introduce some plant-based foods, in this case, nuts, to see how your body responds. This is why careful tracking of your health status throughout the diet is so important. If you don’t notice any adverse reactions from re-introducing nuts, then maybe they weren’t a problem for you in the first place!
However, if you find that you take steps backwards after integrating carnivore diet nuts, you may want to remove them again. Watch out for increased weight gain, digestive troubles, or changes to your vitals.
If You Must Eat Carnivore Diet Nuts, Choose These Ones…
Not all nuts are created equal in the eyes of the carnivore diet, or human health in general for that matter. Here are some of the best nuts for carnivore diet:
- Macadamia Nuts: High in healthy monounsaturated fats and very low in carbohydrates.
- Pecans: Low in carbohydrates and rich in healthy fats. They also contain antioxidants and are beneficial for heart health and metabolic function.
- Brazil Nuts: Low in carbs and a rich source of selenium, an essential mineral. They may support thyroid function and boost immune health.
- Walnuts: Moderate in carbs but high in omega-3 fatty acids. These support brain health and reduce inflammation.
There is nothing wrong with a handful of almonds or other popular varieties every so often, but remember to consume these in moderation. Your snack arsenal should remain focused on the carnivore-approved options. We’ll share some of our favorites below.
Other Carnivore-Friendly Snacks You Can Try
The toughest part of following the carnivore regimen is managing cravings in the middle of the day or late at night. Keeping the right snacks on hand is essential to prevent cheating on the diet. Here are some great options to consider instead of carnivore diet nuts.
Carnivore Chips
The #1 snack choice for carnivores from all walks of life is our carnivore chips here at Carnivore Snax. They’re carefully crafted from premium cuts of meat sourced from the most elite, ethical farms in the country.
This means you can rest assured you’re getting a pure product free from harmful additives or preservatives - and you can feel good about indulging in a tasty, nutritious treat.
They contain just two ingredients, meat and salt. But make no mistake, they’re absolutely to die for. They start off crunchy and airy like a chip before melting in your mouth like a pastry. With thousands of 5-star reviews, the consensus is in - these are the best snack for carnivore dieters!
Learn more about our varieties and discover your new favorite high-protein snack today. We’re confident you’ll be back for more once you taste the difference firsthand!
Beef Jerky
While quite similar to our meat chips, beef jerky is a more classic choice with a chewier, harder-to-eat texture. For some, that’s enjoyable - but others prefer the light, airy texture of our chips more.
Nevertheless, this is a high-protein and portable snack that you can keep in rotation. Just be sure to choose varieties without added sugars, preservatives, or artificial ingredients to keep it carnivore-friendly.
You can even make your own beef jerky at home by slicing lean cuts of beef thinly, seasoning with salt, and dehydrating in a low-temperature oven or dehydrator until completely dry.
Eggs
Now, can you eat eggs on carnivore diet? Absolutely! In fact, boiled eggs are one of the most nutritious carnivore snacks you can eat. They provide a good source of protein and healthy fats, keeping you full and energized.
Boil eggs for 9-12 minutes depending on your preferred level of doneness. Keep a batch in the refrigerator for an easy grab-and-go snack.
Cheese
So, can you eat cheese on carnivore diet? While technically it’s an animal product that falls under the umbrella of carnivore, you need to be careful. It can be high in carbs, which infringes on the low-carb nature of this diet.
Stick with hard cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, and parmesan. They are rich in fats and protein, providing a satisfying and flavorful bite.
You can also make cheese crips for an easier on-the-go snack. Slice your favorite cheese thinly and bake in the oven at 375°F until crispy and golden brown. Store in an airtight container for a quick and easy snack.
Pork Rinds
Pork rinds are crunchy and satisfying. This zero-carb snack is made from fried pork skin and rich in protein and healthy fats, making it a great choice for a quick bite.
For a homemade version, fry pork skin in hot oil until crispy, then season with salt. Alternatively, look for pre-packaged pork rinds that contain only pork skin and salt.
Find more ways to manage cravings and keep this diet fun in our blog. We have a full carnivore diet meal plan and carnivore diet food list along with carnivore lunch ideas, carnivore breakfast ideas, carnivore diet desserts, and carnivore diet side dishes.
At this point, though, it’s time you stocked up on our carnivore chips as we wrap up our guide to eating nuts on carnivore diet.
Bringing Our Carnivore Diet Nuts Guide to a Close
So, can you eat nuts on carnivore diet? As you now know, you’re technically supposed to avoid carnivore diet nuts. They’re a plant-based food that doesn’t align with the principles of an animal-based diet.
Still, we see many people reaping the benefits of this diet with slight modifications to include nuts and other plant-based foods. Just be sure to consume them cautiously as they have a high carbohydrate content and anti-nutrient properties.
We have more carnivore diet tips in our blog, including how to start carnivore diet, carnivore diet on a budget, supplements on carnivore diet, keto vs carnivore, paleo vs carnivore, carnivore diet macros, carnivore diet constipation, carnivore diet testosterone, and carnivore diet for women.
To experience the full effect of this diet, stick to animal-based snacks like ours here at Carnivore Snax. Explore our tasty, nutritious meat chips to harness the benefits of this diet while still indulging in delicious treats when cravings strike!
