You are constantly looking for ways to give yourself an edge over the competition, and beyond that, push yourself to reach your full potential.
From your training routine to your recovery, the mental side of things, and of course, how you fuel your body - the details add up to make a massive difference in how you perform.
You may be hearing about more and more famous athletes on carnivore diet, and despite its contentious reputation, there’s a reason it’s becoming so popular. So, why is carnivore diet good for athletes?
Simple - it’s high in protein to help you recover and get back to your full form after every training session, match, game, or event. Meanwhile, it supports a healthier inflammatory response, unparalleled mental clarity, and boosts your energy levels naturally.
We’ll talk more about the carnivore diet benefits below, along with why carnivore diet is bad in some cases to help you make the most informed decision possible. But if after weighing the pros and cons of carnivore diet you decide to take a chance, you’ve come to the right place.
Not only do we have a wealth of resources to set you up for success starting carnivore diet, but our meat chips are a must-have on the carnivore diet for athletes, helping you manage cravings without compromising on taste. Learn more below!
The Importance of Nutrition for Athletes
Nutrition is one of the key pillars of health for all individuals, but it becomes especially important when you’re training towards a goal as an athlete.
Whether you’re an endurance athlete, a strength athlete, or play a specific sport like football, hockey, rugby, baseball, or anything in between, what you eat has a profound impact on how you perform.
It’s essential that you’re getting the optimal balance of macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats), along with whole foods that fuel your body. The calories you consume matter, too, as you need to make sure you’re giving your body optimal fuel to perform your best.
Proper nutrition ensures your muscles are repaired and strengthened after workouts or events, and that glycogen stores are replenished so you’re ready to get after it the next day.
It’s not just a physical concern, either - your diet has implications on your mental clarity, focus, and emotional well-being as well. These are all foundational elements of success in any sport.
From paleo vs carnivore to keto, Atkins, lion diet, and more, there are countless options you can choose from if you’re looking for a structured nutritional regimen to reach your full potential. But, let’s narrow our focus now to carnivore diet for athletes.
What is the Carnivore Diet?
Now, what is the carnivore diet exactly? A better question is, what can you eat on carnivore diet? As the name suggests, this is an all animal-based diet that involves consuming solely meat, fish, eggs, and certain dairy products.
That means you can say goodbye to fruits, vegetables, grains, and processed foods. So, you’ll be eating primarily protein and fats, with very few carbs.
The macros for carnivore diet fly in the face of the standard American diet - you’ve been told carbs are essential for energy. But as you’ll discover below, that may not be as true as you’ve been led to believe, as with many modern dietary philosophies, like the need for fiber.
What makes the carnivore diet intriguing for athletes is its potential to promote fat adaptation, which is where the body shifts from using carbs to burning fat for energy. This provides steady energy without the highs and crashes associated with traditional carb-heavy diets.
There are many reasons for anyone to consider trying carnivore, though - from the carnivore diet for weight loss to carnivore diet for inflammation, mental clarity, and more. But, is carnivore diet good for athletes specifically?
Is Carnivore Diet Good for Athletes?
So, is a carnivore diet healthy for athletes looking to gain an edge over the competition and reach their full potential? Let’s take a look at the science behind carnivore diet, both good and bad, to empower you to make the decision for yourself.
Benefits of Carnivore Diet for Athletes
The primary benefit of carnivore diet for athletes is the high-protein nature of this diet. We recently wrote a separate guide addressing a common question athletes ask us - how much protein should an athlete eat?
While it all depends on your goals, a good rule of thumb is 0.8 to 1 grams of protein per pound of body weight. That means an athlete weighing in at 200 pounds should eat anywhere from 160 to 200 grams of protein every day.
As you might be able to infer, the carnivore diet is inherently high in protein since you’re mainly consuming steak, chicken, or fish. This aids in muscle repair, recovery, and growth. You’ll become bigger, faster, and stronger over time when pairing this diet with a proper training and recovery regimen.
It also helps you stay healthy and mitigates the risk of becoming sidelined with injury through its anti-inflammatory nature. Since you’re cutting out inflammatory foods like grains and processed sugars, you may feel less joint pain and quicker recovery times between workouts.
This can make a huge difference for those who train multiple times a week or deal with injuries over the course of a long, grueling season.
Moreover, the fat adaptation side of things can provide more consistent energy levels, helping you push through tough extra workouts or grind out two-a-days.
Even just the mental clarity provided by the carnivore is reason enough to give it a try if you’re having trouble focusing. Cutting out carbs can sharpen your concentration and give you the clarity necessary to perform your best in competition.
Potential Downsides Athletes on Carnivore Diet Need to Know
While there’s no denying the benefits of carnivore diet for athletes, you do need to be aware of the potential risks and side effects of carnivore diet.
Some athletes may find that the absence of carbs holds them back from their full potential. This is especially common in fast-twitch sports like sprinting, where a reliance on glycogen (stored carbs) is more important.
However, it’s worth noting that your body will quickly adapt to using fat for fuel instead of carbs. The initial transition may last a few weeks, but after that, many find that they’re better off.
In the meantime, though, the “carnivore flu” can be tough. You may feel more fatigued, and you might deal with a bit of digestive discomfort, like carnivore diet constipation. The good news is this tends to pass with time.
You can help mitigate this effect by staying hydrated. Electrolyte balance becomes even more important on the carnivore diet as is since carbs help the body retain water and electrolytes. The last thing you want is to end up cramping during competition.
Don’t worry, we’ve compiled our top carnivore diet tips for athletes below to help you make the most of this dietary regimen and avoid the potential side effects. But first, let’s look at some famous athletes on carnivore diet.
Are There Any Famous Athletes on Carnivore Diet?
Maybe you were first drawn to this nutritional approach because you know of famous athletes on carnivore diet already. One of the most famous people who swears by carnivore is Joe Rogan. Mikhaila and Jordan Peterson are also proponents.
Another big-name athlete on carnivore diet is Shawn Baker, a champion indoor rower who holds the world record in his age group. It’s been said that Brock Lesnar eats mostly carnivore, and his results as an athlete speak for themselves.
We wish we could tell you more specific names that adhere to the diet, but the truth is, most professional athletes aren’t giving away their secrets. If they’re on carnivore diet, you’d never know unless you were a close confidante.
Part of this is to maintain their edge over the competition. But the other reason is that the carnivore diet is highly contentious, and athletes want to be able to focus on becoming the best versions of themselves - not defending their choices on social media or in the press!
Ultimately, only you can decide if carnivore is right for you and your goals. But why not try the 30-day carnivore diet and see for yourself what’s possible? We’ll offer a few tips on getting started with the carnivore diet for athletes below.
Tips on Trying the Carnivore Diet for Athletes
Part of the appeal of carnivore diet for athletes is how simple and straightforward it is. You don’t have to stress about meal prepping, calorie counting, or anything of that nature. Just eat as much meat and other animal-based products as necessary to reach your goals!
Why We Suggest a Gradual Transition
We know you’re eager to dive in and experience the benefits of carnivore firsthand, but we actually recommend taking a slow, methodical approach to avoid shocking your body.
Eliminating carbs overnight can be jarring, and will result in dramatic drops to your energy levels and overall performance. Instead, start by slowly reducing carb intake over a few weeks while increasing your intake of animal-based proteins and fats.
Rushing the transition can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and slower recovery times, so take it one step at a time to ensure a smoother adaptation process. If possible, make the change during your offseason so you can be ready by the time your season rolls around.
Meal Planning for Performance and Recovery
We have a great carnivore diet meal plan for beginners in our blog if you’re not sure where to start. But, athletes on carnivore diet need to be extra careful about what they eat - and how much they eat.
Always make high-quality proteins like beef, chicken, and fish the foundation of your meals. These are the best meats for carnivore diet. Make sure you include fattier cuts of meat such as ribeye and pork belly for energy, though.
You can find more inspiration in our blog for carnivore diet breakfast, carnivore lunch, carnivore diet sides, and carnivore diet desserts. Just make sure you’re switching it up and incorporating variety to not only keep things fresh and fun but to round out your nutritional intake and avoid deficiencies.
Keeping Healthy Snacks on Hand
One of the biggest differences you’ll notice after switching to carnivore is that most of your favorite snacks are no longer allowed. So, what can you enjoy when cravings strike or you need a quick snack on-the-go?
Look no further than our carnivore chips, which pack a powerful protein punch with a dose of healthy fat. They’re a perfect pairing for the carnivore diet and a must-have on any carnivore diet grocery list.
We source our meat from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms so you don’t have to compromise on your morals to enjoy the best 0 carb snacks, either.
The taste is off the charts, with salty, crispy goodness that gives way to tantalizing flavors as the chip melts in your mouth. You’ll soon see why these are the #1 carnivore diet treats! Try them all and see which is your favorite:
Other than our meat chips, other carnivore diet snacks include boiled eggs, jerky, pork rinds, and certain types of cheese on carnivore diet. But, trust us - you’ll be back for more once you take that first satisfying bite of our Carnivore Snax!
The Importance of Hydration
Without carbs to help you retain water you may feel as if you lose water and electrolytes faster, especially during intense workouts. This can lead to dehydration, which takes a toll on your recovery between workouts and your performance in competition.
It’s not simply a matter of drinking more water, although that’s a start. You need to get enough sodium, potassium, and magnesium to avoid cramping and fatigue. This can be done through electrolyte supplements or bone broth. Speaking of supplements…
Supplementation Considerations
Though the carnivore diet provides most of what you need from animal-based foods, there may be a few nutritional gaps you’re struggling with. This is where the right carnivore diet supplements can make a big difference.
Magnesium is essential for muscle function and recovery. We suggest supplementing it to avoid cramping up. Collagen is also worth considering, as it supports joint health and may help prevent injuries to your knees, elbows, ankles, and other joints.
Omega-3 fatty acids are great for reducing inflammation and supporting rapid recovery after tough workouts as well. You’ll get plenty of it through fish, but fill in the gaps with a supplement.
Monitoring Performance and Adjusting as Needed
Most people notice a positive difference from the carnivore diet before and after - but it’s still important to take note of how you feel as you embark on this nutritional journey.
Keep track of your strength, endurance, and overall well-being during training. If you notice dips in performance or slower recovery times, it may be time to adjust your protein or fat intake.
Don’t hesitate to tweak your meal portions or frequency to meet your body’s needs. You might even consider following a modified carnivore diet if you’re finding the reduction of carbs is becoming more of a hindrance than a help after 30 days.
The rules of carnivore diet are strict, which is why we encourage you to look at them more as guidelines. You can mold the diet to work in your favor, whether that means trying the carnivore diet with fruit or fasting on carnivore diet.
All that matters is you’re staying healthy and getting a little closer to your goals every day!
Wrapping Up Our Carnivore Diet Athletes Guide
So, is carnivore diet good for athletes? It’s clear that there are a number of benefits for athletes on carnivore diet, from enhanced recovery to reduced inflammation, sustained energy to mental clarity, and more.
While it may require some adjustments, especially in the transition phase, it can be a powerful approach for those looking to optimize their strength and endurance. We hope this guide to carnivore diet for athletes has left you feeling confident in taking the next step.
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But at this point, all that’s left to do is hit the ground running with the carnivore diet for athletes. If you haven’t already, set yourself up for success with the most delicious, nutritious snacks here in our online storefront. Reach your full potential with the help of Carnivore Snax!
