There are so many meats for carnivore diet you can choose from, ranging from the classics like steak and carnivore diet chicken to obscure organ meats, fish, and more. But can you eat pork on carnivore diet?
This is a hot topic since some believe pork to be an inflammatory food. That’s not to mention the concerns surrounding low-quality pork. But, it’s an animal-based food, and the rules of carnivore diet are simple - all animal-based foods are fair game.
So, is pork good for carnivore diet? We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons below before sharing some of our personal favorite carnivore diet pork recipes, from pork rinds as carnivore diet snacks to pork belly, pulled pork, pork-chops, and more.
The key takeaway is this - pork belongs in your regular rotation along with a wide variety of other meats. Given how exclusionary carnivore can be, you need to prioritize diversity in your meal planning. Learn more about eating pork on carnivore diet below!
Carnivore Diet Overview
For those who are just starting carnivore diet, let’s take a step back. What is the carnivore diet in the first place, and is a carnivore diet healthy?
This dietary regimen is highly restrictive, yet very simple. It involves eating exclusively animal-based foods and eliminating everything else, including fruits, veggies, grains, nuts, seeds, and more.
This means your meals will revolve around meat, fish, eggs, and certain dairy products like cheese and butter. But what are the carnivore diet benefits that attract people to such a restrictive regimen?
The idea is removing all plant-based foods in turn removes potential allergens, inflammatory compounds, and excess carbohydrates that may contribute to health issues. In contrast, animal products are rich in bioavailable nutrients.
This approach keeps blood sugar levels stable while promoting fullness after eating, helping you avoid cravings. As a result, the carnivore diet for weight loss has become increasingly popular as more and more individuals see what’s possible from the carnivore diet before and after.
Others report benefits like mental clarity, better digestion, increased energy, and reduced inflammation. You can even use carnivore diet for MS and many other autoimmune conditions to address uncomfortable symptoms that hold you back from living life to the fullest.
Learn more about the science behind carnivore diet in our blog, including the pros and cons of carnivore diet, potential side effects of carnivore diet, and more carnivore diet tips. In the meantime, can you eat pork on carnivore diet?
Is Pork Good for Carnivore Diet?
You know pork falls under the umbrella of animal-based foods, yet, some say it’s best to avoid it. Let’s take a look at both sides of the argument below to help you determine whether or not pork has a place on your plate.
Can You Eat Pork on Carnivore Diet?
First things first, can you eat pork on carnivore diet? Absolutely. As we just stated, it’s clearly an animal-based food as it’s the meat of pigs.
Whether it’s bacon, pork chops, pork belly, or even pork rinds, there are plenty of options to keep your meals varied and flavorful with the help of pork.
But as with many things in life, there’s a difference between whether you can do something and whether you should. So, is pork good for carnivore diet? We think so, but there are a few things you need to be aware of.
Why Is Pork Good for Carnivore Diet?
Let’s talk about the good first. Why is pork good for carnivore diet? Well, for starters you’re getting a great balance of protein and fat, both of which are essential on the carnivore diet.
The high-fat content in cuts like pork belly and bacon is an energy-dense food that helps keep you full and provides sustained energy throughout the day.
Pork is also packed with important nutrients such as B vitamins (like B6 and B12), zinc, and selenium, all of which are crucial for supporting metabolism, immune function, and overall health.
Plus, it’s a super versatile type of meat that can easily be integrated into a carnivore diet meal plan for beginners. We’ll even share some of our favorite carnivore diet pork recipes below to help you find some inspiration.
Before we do that, though, let’s look at why some choose to avoid pork altogether.
Concerns About Pork Quality
Pork has gotten a bad name, perhaps unfairly. It’s true that not all pork is created equal, and low-quality pork is notorious for causing problems.
Factory-farmed pork comes from animals raised in poor conditions and fed a diet of grains and soy, which may lead to lower-quality meat. This type of pork tends to have higher levels of antibiotics and hormones as well.
But for what it’s worth, you could make this same claim for beef, poultry, and any other animal. That’s why we encourage you to always take quality seriously when shopping for meat, or anything you put on/in your body for that matter.
Choose pasture-raised or heritage-breed pork, which comes from animals that were allowed to forage and eat a natural diet. This meat tends to be higher in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), which offer additional health benefits.
Is There a Link Between Pork and Inflammation?
Part of what may have attracted you to this regimen was the link between carnivore diet and inflammation. So, the last thing you want is to introduce a food that is known for wreaking havoc on your body’s inflammatory response.
Pork has been a subject of concern in this regard, especially when it comes to processed pork products like bacon, ham, and sausages. These worries are tied to additives like nitrates, nitrites, and preservatives used in curing and processing - and they’re valid.
Processed pork can also be higher in sodium which further elevates the inflammatory effect of pork in some individuals, especially those sensitive to high salt intake.
The good news is you can avoid this issue altogether by choosing unprocessed cuts of pork and cooking it yourself. Again, pasture-raised pork is less likely to contribute to inflammation.
The Importance of Protein Variety
If you choose to eat pork on carnivore diet, great - just remember that it’s only one of many meats you should be consuming on a regular basis. Because this diet is so restrictive, nutrient deficiency is always a concern.
Beef, lamb, poultry, fish, and organ meats all offer different vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are beneficial for overall health. Relying too heavily on one type of meat, like pork, could lead to nutritional imbalances over time.
Rotating your protein sources not only keeps your meals interesting but also ensures that you’re consuming a more diverse array of micronutrients, negating the need for carnivore diet supplements.
That being said, whether you’re looking for carnivore lunch or carnivore diet breakfast, dinner, or even carnivore diet treats, we’ve got something for you below in our list of carnivore diet pork recipes.
Our Favorite Carnivore Diet Pork Recipes: Pork Rinds, Pork Belly, and More to Round Out Your Meal Planning
From carnivore diet pork rinds to pork belly, bacon, and more, there are so many delicious and nutritious ways to incorporate pork in the carnivore diet! Here are just a few of our personal favorites:
Carnivore Diet Pork Rinds Recipe
Part of what makes the carnivore diet so challenging is finding healthy snacks that align with the diet and still satisfy your cravings. Carnivore diet pork rinds fit the bill perfectly - they’re crispy, salty, and carb-free.
Plus, making them at home is simple and allows you to control the quality of the pork skin you use. Start by cutting pork skin into bite-sized pieces, then season with salt. Then, bake the skin in the oven at a low temperature (around 250°F) for 2-3 hours to render the fat.
At this point, you can crank up the heat to 450°F for 10-15 minutes until they puff up and get crispy. They’re perfect for snacking or using as a crunchy topping on other carnivore dishes.
Carnivore Diet Pork Belly Recipe
Pork belly is a high-fat, energy-packed option worth including in your diet as well. It’s a bit more involved than carnivore diet pork rinds, but still fairly straightforward.
Score the skin and rub it generously with salt. Roast the belly at 350°F for 90 minutes, then increase the temperature to 450°F for another 30 minutes to crisp up the skin.
You’ll be left with a juicy, flavorful cut of pork that has a crispy crackling on top. You can enjoy it on its own or serve it alongside other animal-based foods as a carnivore diet side for a rich, satisfying meal.
Carnivore-Friendly Bacon
Nothing says weekend mornings quite like the aroma of bacon wafting through the house. Let’s face it - bacon is great for any meal, though, whether as a topping on a carnivore cheeseburger or crushed up in another meal.
You need to be especially careful when selecting bacon, though. Make sure it’s free from added sugars and nitrates, ideally, straight from the butcher.
There are a number of ways you can prepare it. You can pan-fry or bake it until crispy, then enjoy it alongside eggs, steak, or even as a quick snack.
Bone-in Pork Chops
For more of an entree, try bone-in pork chops. These are a hearty, satisfying dinner choice that will quickly become one of your go-tos.
Bring out the best flavor by seasoning the chops with salt and searing them in a hot skillet for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Finish them off in the oven at 400°F for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness. The bone adds extra flavor and moisture, making these chops incredibly tender and juicy.
Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork
One of our ultimate carnivore diet pork recipes is pulled pork, and not just because it’s delicious. This is a great option for meal-prepping in bulk and enjoying throughout the week because it maintains its tender texture well.
Use a pork shoulder or butt, season it with salt, and slow-cook it in a crockpot on low for 8-10 hours. The meat will become so tender it will fall apart with a fork.
Pulled pork is great on its own or paired with some pork rinds for added crunch. It’s also perfect for a high-fat, protein-packed meal that’s easy to prepare in bulk.
Organ Meats Like Pork Liver
Before you turn up your nose, hear us out - organ meats are an essential part of the carnivore diet for their rich content of vitamins A, B12, and iron. You need to try pork liver if you haven’t because you might end up pleasantly surprised!
Simply pan-fry it with butter or ghee until browned on both sides. While the flavor is more intense, it’s a great way to diversify your nutrient intake and round out your carnivore diet. You can incorporate it into other meals to mask the taste if it’s tough for you to stomach.
Carnivore Snax Pork Chips
Looking for the best 0 carb snacks and don’t want to waste your time trying to create your own carnivore diet pork rinds recipe? Our pork chips are a must try.
All our meat chips are sourced from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms in the country. We use just two ingredients to bring them to life: meat and salt. That’s it.
But when you take that first bite, you’ll be hooked. They are airy and crunchy, yet, they melt in your mouth like a pastry and the flavors will quickly overwhelm your senses. Our pork chips are just one of the many carnivore chips cuts available here, too:
Try them all and let us know which is your new favorite. No carnivore diet grocery list is complete without our pork chips, so order today and see for yourself what keeps our customers coming back for more!
Parting Thoughts on Eating Pork on Carnivore Diet
So, can you eat pork on carnivore diet? More importantly, is pork GOOD for carnivore diet? In closing, this meat has its place in the carnivore diet for its balance of protein and fat.
You just have to be meticulous in choosing the pork products you consume to reap the benefits and avoid the downside. The importance of quality cannot be overstated.
Whether you’re enjoying crispy carnivore diet pork rinds, fatty pork belly, or nutrient-packed organ meats, pork provides both flavor and essential nutrients to keep you energized and satisfied.
Learn more about what can you eat on carnivore diet in our blog. We also have resources on modified carnivore diet, paleo vs carnivore, why carnivore diet is bad, fasting on carnivore diet, cheap carnivore diet, carnivore diet with fruit, fiber on carnivore diet, 30-day carnivore diet, carnivore diet desserts, macros for carnivore diet, carnivore diet and cholesterol, and more.
Or, take a moment to fuel your carnivore lifestyle with our high-quality, nutrient-dense pork chips and other varieties. Don’t settle for less than the tastiest, most nutritious snacks in your arsenal - discover the difference Carnivore Snax can make in your life today!
