THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
There’s no question that the carnivore diet can be quite restrictive. All you can eat is meat, eggs, and occasional cheese on carnivore diet. If you’re following the carnivore diet plan as it’s laid out, that’s it.
This makes eating out a significant challenge. But what if we told you that there were a few carnivore diet fast food options worth trying? Now, we want to be clear - we are not endorsing regular consumption of fast food on carnivore diet.
On the contrary, we suggest avoiding processed foods whenever possible. That being said, we get it - life happens, you’re on the road, or maybe you are craving something extra salty. Whatever the case, we’ll share the best fast food for carnivore diet below.
Whether you indulge in a Baconator from Wendy’s or a 4x4 from In-n-Out, a rotisserie chicken from Costco, or perhaps even a 7-11 hot dog - you can actually get certain fast food items to align with the principles of carnivore on a routine basis.
Learn more about how to eat fast food on carnivore diet below. Better yet, keep our carnivore chips stocked so you always have a nutritious, delicious alternative on hand to avoid resorting to unhealthy fast food options!
Overview of Carnivore Diet
First things first - what is the carnivore diet? This radical shift from conventional eating patterns strips nutrition back to its most primal form: consuming exclusively animal products. So what can you eat on the carnivore diet, and is the carnivore diet healthy? Let’s start with the basics.
How Does it Work?
The carnivore diet rules are incredibly simple - consume animal-based foods, including meat, fish, eggs, and select dairy products, while excluding all plant-based foods. This not only minimizes carbohydrate intake to nearly zero but also eliminates fiber and sugars entirely.
As a result, the body transitions into a state of ketosis similar to that achieved by the ketogenic diet, but through a different nutrient pathway, focusing primarily on protein and fat from animal sources.
You can essentially eat as much as you want until you’re full, relying on your body’s natural appetite cues without the need for counting calories or restrictive portion control. So while it’s restrictive, you’re never starving yourself like you might with other diets.
Key Benefits
So, what are the carnivore diet benefits that make this such a compelling approach to nutrition? From carnivore diet weight loss to the link between carnivore diet and inflammation, here’s why you should consider taking a chance on this regimen:
- Simplified Dietary Decisions: It simplifies eating as you don’t need to balance food groups or track macronutrients meticulously. This can make meal planning seamless.
- Enhanced Digestive Efficiency: Many report improvements in digestive health after eliminating fibrous plant materials, which can irritate sensitive digestive systems. The diet may alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal issues.
- Potential for Inflammation Reduction: Eliminating potential inflammatory agents found in processed foods, sugars, and many plant-based foods supports a healthier inflammatory response. This can be powerful for those dealing with chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Rich Nutrient Intake: Despite its restrictiveness, the diet provides high levels of essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins (particularly B12), which are more bioavailable in animal products than in plant-based sources. Organ meats can fill in the gaps to cover vitamins A, D, and omega fatty acids.
- Weight Management: The high satiety of protein and fats can reduce overall calorie intake without the sensation of hunger, making it easier to meet your weight loss goals. The carnivore diet before and after results can be staggering.
There are plenty of other reasons to try carnivore as well, from enhanced mental clarity to managing specific conditions like SIBO, neuropathy, psoriasis, and more.
Learn more about the carnivore diet pros and cons (including carnivore diet side effects) in our blog. In the meantime, let’s turn our attention to whether or not you should eat fast food on carnivore diet.
Should You Eat Fast Food on Carnivore Diet?
Even if you’re eating the best fast food for carnivore diet, it’s essential that you understand what goes into making the meat in these facilities. We’ll look at the pros and cons of carnivore diet fast food below.
The Problems With Fast Food
Some people assume that meat is meat - the beef patty you get at McDonald’s is no different than what you’d get from your local butcher. This couldn’t be further from the truth. One of the primary concerns with fast food is the hidden ingredients that don’t align with the carnivore diet.
That includes additives, preservatives, and fillers not derived from animal sources. Sugars, soy, gluten, and various stabilizers could all trigger inflammation or digestive issues for those on a strict carnivore diet.
As far as quality goes, fast food meat is questionable at best - and downright disgusting in some chains. These businesses are built on low costs and convenience, not quality.
This means you’re getting lower-grade meat that may come from animals raised in suboptimal conditions, which can affect the nutritional profile of the food. These meats can contain antibiotics, hormones, and lower levels of beneficial nutrients compared to grass-fed, pasture-raised options.
We won’t even get into the ethics of consuming products sourced from these types of farms.
The cooking methods used to bring these meats to life can be problematic in their own right. If you haven’t done your research on what cooking oils (specifically, seed oils) do to you, please do. It’s eye opening.
Commonly used oils like soybean, canola, and corn oil are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can contribute to inflammation. Cross-contamination with plant-based foods is always a risk in fast food kitchens too.
From a portion perspective, fast food servings are large and calorie-dense but nutritionally imbalanced. They may contain excessive amounts of sodium, unhealthy fats, and minimal beneficial nutrients.
Making the Case for Occasional Carnivore Diet Fast Food Treats
All that being said, we do recognize that there is a case for occasionally eating fast food on carnivore diet. Sometimes, your busy lifestyle or travel schedule leaves you no other option - it’s fast food or fasting.
Choosing wisely from the menu can help maintain dietary goals even in less-than-ideal circumstances. For instance, some chains provide grass-fed beef or allow for custom orders that exclude unwanted additives. Opting for plain, grilled meats and avoiding sauces, buns, and sides can make a fast food meal more compatible with the carnivore diet.
There’s also the social side of things. Being able to participate in common social activities, such as eating out with friends or family, without feeling isolated can make the diet more sustainable in the long run.
So, that being said, let’s get into the carnivore diet fast food options we recommend in case of an emergency.
The Best Fast Food for Carnivore Diet: What Fast Food Can I Eat on the Carnivore Diet
While all fast food restaurants more or less produce the same quality (low quality at that), there are a few options that stand out from the pack as somewhat better. Let’s talk about what to look for in the best fast food for carnivore diet and which chains you can resort to.
What Separates the Best Fast Food for Carnivore Diet From the Rest?
You can conduct your own research as well to figure out which fast food chains are best for carnivore diet, but these are the most important factors:
- Quality of Meat: Certain chains are known for using fresh, never-frozen beef, which ensures a higher nutritional value and better taste.
- Customization and Transparency: The best fast food chains allow you to order meat without buns, sauces, or other non-carnivore ingredients. Ingredient transparency helps you make informed decisions and maintain your dietary principles.
- Convenience: The whole point of fast food is convenience - so we chose options that are known for the shortest wait times for readily available protein sources.
- Minimal Additives: Chains that offer simple, straightforward ingredients without unnecessary additives and fillers align better with the carnivore diet.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s burgers are made from 100% pure beef free from fillers, additives, and preservatives. The chain emphasizes serving never-frozen beef, so you can rest assured you’re getting a higher quality and fresher taste.
For a carnivore diet-friendly meal, order a burger patty (or multiple patties) without the bun, sauces, or toppings that aren’t animal-based. You can customize your order to include additional beef patties, bacon, and cheese, providing a satisfying and nutrient-dense meal.
In n Out
In-N-Out is perhaps the freshest source of quick protein for the carnivore diet, but it’s only available in select regions. If you’re fortunate enough to live near one or be visiting a city that has one, you can count on In-n-Out to deliver fresh, never-frozen beef.
In fact, the chain is known for its “protein style” option, which wraps the burger in lettuce instead of a bun. You can also order your burger, “flying Dutchman,” which consists of two beef patties with two slices of cheese in between, free of any vegetables or sauces.
Costco
You probably don’t think of Costco when envisioning fast food - but the rotisserie chicken they sell is one of the best options on this list. These chickens are seasoned simply and cooked fresh throughout the day, ensuring you’re getting a well-prepared, protein-rich meal.
While not all ingredients may be strictly carnivore-friendly (some may contain small amounts of sugar or seasoning blends), the overall nutritional profile is high in protein and fat, making it a convenient choice.
7-Eleven
In a last-case scenario when you’re desperate for some protein in a pinch, a hot dog from 7-Eleven can be a surprisingly viable option. While not as fresh as burgers from Wendy’s or In-N-Out, these all-beef hot dogs that can fit into a carnivore diet.
To make these more suitable, skip the bun and any non-carnivore toppings. Instead, focus on the hot dog itself, and if available, add toppings like cheese or bacon.
How to Eat Fast Food on Carnivore Diet
Even if you’re ordering from the carnivore diet fast food options above there are a few things you should know to make the meal as closely aligned to your dietary preferences as possible. Here’s how to eat fast food on carnivore diet…
Key Phrases and Requests to Use When Ordering
There are a few key phrases you can use to make it clear that you’re looking for something specific from a dietary perspective:
- “No Bun, Please”: Most fast food restaurants are accustomed to this request and can provide your meat wrapped in lettuce or served in a container.
- “Hold the Sauce”: Sauces and condiments often contain sugars, vegetable oils, and other additives that are not carnivore-friendly. Avoid these in your meal.
- “Extra Meat or Cheese”: Many fast food places offer double or triple patty options, which can increase your protein and fat intake.
- “Plain, Please”: This means no seasoning beyond salt, and no additional toppings that are not meat or cheese.
What to Watch Out For: Sauces, Sides, and Additives
You may be consuming non-approved ingredients without even realizing it, even when eating from the best fast food for carnivore diet. Hidden sugars and carbs in sauces, marinades, and even in some meats is a common issue.
So, always ask for ingredient lists if available or check the restaurant’s nutritional information online. The same goes for the oils used in cooking, which may be harder to find information on. You may need to ask someone directly how the food is prepared to steer clear of vegetable oils.
It’s also important to take note of the meat quality. Look for options labeled as 100% beef to avoid consuming fillers, starches, and other additives. Of course, you need to ditch the sides as well - no fries, onion rings, or coleslaw, unfortunately.
Researching Menus Beforehand
You don’t have to play the guessing game in weighing your carnivore diet fast food options. Most chains have their menus and nutritional information available online. Reviewing these beforehand can help you identify carnivore-friendly options and avoid any unsuitable choices.
Again, if you’re unsure about the options, consider calling the restaurant ahead of time. Ask about ingredients and cooking methods to ensure you can make an informed choice.
Prioritizing Whole, Home-Cooked Meals
In case it wasn’t obvious, these carnivore diet fast food options are for special occasions or when you’re in a pinch. They should not become a regular part of your carnivore diet food list.
Preparing your food at home allows you to control the quality of ingredients and avoid hidden additives. Consider batch cooking your meats so you have quick and easy access to carnivore-friendly meals throughout the week.
If you’re looking for inspiration, we have carnivore diet breakfast ideas, carnivore diet lunch ideas, carnivore desserts, and more in our blog. Be sure to always buy high-quality meats, such as grass-fed beef and pasture-raised poultry.
You should also maintain a surplus of healthy carnivore diet snacks, which can be kept in the pantry for when you just don’t feel like cooking or brought on trips. So, what are the best low carb snacks that align with the carnivore diet?
Your search ends here at Carnivore Snax. Our meat chips are sourced from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms in the world and contain just high-quality meat and salt.
However, you’ll think you’re eating some type of meat pastry when you indulge in that first bite. The treats melt in your mouth and give way to tantalizing flavors that will have you coming back for more. Plus, there are so many varieties to choose from so you can keep your rotation fresh:
Learn more about what makes Carnivore Snax a must-have for anyone adhering to a high-protein diet today. Spoil yourself without compromising on nutrition or ethics!
Parting Thoughts on Carnivore Diet Fast Food Options
While the carnivore diet poses challenges when eating out, it’s possible to make informed choices at fast food restaurants. We hope this carnivore diet fast food guide has left you feeling clear and confident navigating your options.
Just be sure that you’re not using these fast food chains as a regular part of your meal planning - rather, a treat for special occasions or a quick option when you’re on the road or too tired/busy to cook.
We have more carnivore diet tips on how to start carnivore diet in our blog, including carnivore diet on a budget, modified carnivore diet, carnivore diet supplements, carnivore diet for women, paleo vs carnivore, carnivore diet constipation, carnivore diet and cholesterol, and more.
But now that you’re up to speed on the best fast food for carnivore diet and you know how to eat fast food on carnivore diet, it’s time we wrapped things up. We just want to leave you with one more reminder that the best snacks are just a click away.
So, what are you waiting for? Enhance your carnivore journey today and indulge in tasty, nutritious meat chips at Carnivore Snax!
