Much of the advice on how to do the carnivore diet is geared toward men. But what about the ladies who want to prioritize their health and unlock the best version of themselves? Is the carnivore diet for women safe and effective? Yes, and yes!
Today, we’re writing a guide specifically for women who are interested in starting the carnivore diet. You’ll learn what sort of results you can expect and what you need to watch out for. We’ll then provide you with a detailed list of steps for women on carnivore diet to get started. We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s not waste any time.
Can Women Do the Carnivore Diet?
Anything men can do, women can do better! Well, maybe not anything…but when it comes to the carnivore diet, yes - females can absolutely get in on the fun. Some of the reasons men start the carnivore diet include weight loss, muscle gain, heart health, improved focus and clarity, enhanced gut health, and a decreased risk of common health complications like diabetes.
As it turns out, women can benefit from all of this as well. The carnivore diet has simply been marketed towards men for the most part, but that’s not to say you can’t enjoy the transformation that comes with switching to this diet yourself. In fact, there are Facebook groups dedicated specifically to helping women take advantage of all this diet has to offer. You’re not alone - one of these groups boasts more than 32,000 female members and counting!
How Does the Carnivore Diet Affect Women?
Now - just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. So, how does the carnivore diet affect women? What kind of carnivore diet results can women expect?
First, we recommend you read our article on the carnivore diet pros and cons. There, you’ll discover all the benefits and any potential drawbacks of this regimen - whether you’re male or female. Below, we’ll highlight a few important things you need to know in regard to how this diet will affect you.
Does Carnivore Diet Increase Testosterone in Women?
This is a common concern women have before starting this diet. They’re afraid they’re going to give off more masculine energy as their testosterone levels rise. And while it sounds kind of silly, it’s a fair question to ask. After all, some studies have linked meat-based diets to an increase in testosterone levels.
With that said, studies are inconclusive at best when it comes to how the carnivore diet will raise a woman’s testosterone. The good news? An increase in testosterone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You need this hormone to some extent, as it can help you grow stronger bones, increase muscle mass, maintain healthy energy levels, and enhance your libido.
On the other hand, too much testosterone in women can contribute to irregular menstrual cycles, acne, and hair growth in unwanted areas. It’s highly unlikely that eating a meat-based diet will result in this though. These outcomes are typically the result of steroid use in women - following a carnivore diet isn’t going to turn you into a man.
Can Women Lose Weight on the Carnivore Diet?
Yes, women can lose weight on the carnivore diet. In fact, this is one of the main reasons both men and women consider starting carnivore - for the weight loss benefits it has to offer.
By eliminating processed foods from your diet and following an inherently low-carb diet like carnivore, you’ll watch as the pounds fall off effortlessly. Plus, protein increases feelings of satiety (fullness) - so you end up eating less on a daily basis. And, you’ll grow more muscle mass on this diet, which raises your body’s metabolism and turns it into a fat-burning machine.
Not losing weight on the carnivore diet, and want to find out why so you can take steps to fix the issue? Our complete guide on the topic is just what you’re looking for. But now, let’s talk about all the other reasons to consider starting the carnivore diet for women.
Other Benefits for Women on Carnivore Diet
Along with weight loss, there are plenty of other carnivore diet results women seek when starting this journey. These include:
- Improved mental clarity: Some people report improved mental clarity and focus on the carnivore diet, likely due to the elimination of processed foods and increased intake of healthy fats.
- Reduced inflammation: The carnivore diet may help to reduce inflammation in the body, which is a factor in many chronic diseases. That’s because you’re eliminating many harmful ingredients from your diet like gluten, sugar, dairy, and more.
- Improved cardiovascular health: Proponents of the carnivore diet claim that it can help to improve heart health by reducing inflammation and improving lipid profiles. Meat has cholesterol - but it’s the good type of cholesterol, which can help fight off the bad cholesterol that leads to heart disease.
- Increased energy: The carnivore diet may help to increase energy levels, as it provides the body with a steady supply of glucose from the breakdown of animal protein. And, you won’t feel as sluggish due to the absence of processed carbs, sugars, and other ingredients that slow you down.
- Improved gut health: Proponents of the carnivore diet for women claim that it can help to improve gut health by reducing gut inflammation and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. And when considering the fact that gut health is linked to many of your bodily functions, this alone is reason enough to give the diet a shot.
By now you should see that the carnivore diet results for women can be astounding. Want to experience these carnivore diet benefits firsthand? Read below as we provide some women's carnivore diet tips for getting started.
Tips for Starting Carnivore Diet for Women
First, read our article on what is allowed on the carnivore diet. You’ll discover that many foods you’re used to eating are going to be off-limits when following this diet - as it’s very restrictive. You’re really only going to eat meat and meat-based products.
But that’s where the benefits come in. The fact of the matter is that modern-day food is killing people - and many of the health complications individuals face today can be addressed by returning to a more ancestral diet like carnivore or paleo. Now, the first thing we recommend you do when starting any diet or lifestyle change is figure out your goal.
Start With a Goal
Are you looking to lose weight? Do you want to lower your risk of the common health complications the American diet contributes to? Or, maybe you want to gain lean muscle mass.
Whatever the case, you should have a goal for starting the carnivore diet beyond “it’s trending” or “it looks fun”. Why? Because the carnivore diet is hard! If your reason for starting isn’t based on a solid goal, you’ll find yourself giving up far easier. Write down your “why” for starting the carnivore diet and remind yourself of it when the going gets tough.
Ease Into Things
Starting the carnivore diet for women can be a big change, especially for individuals who aren’t used to eating much meat. To make the transition easier, start by gradually eliminating foods you’re used to and increasing your meat intake. This will give your body time to adjust and reduce the risk of side effects like headaches or nausea.
Shop Smart to Save Money
Eating an all-meat diet can get expensive, but there are ways to save money. And because health is wealth, there is no better investment than in your diet. In fact, we have a complete guide on how to do carnivore diet on a budget.
Look for deals on high-quality cuts of meat, buy in bulk, and choose less expensive cuts like ground beef or chicken thighs. You can also look for local farms or butchers who sell meat at a discount.
Experiment With New Recipes to Keep Things Fresh and Fun
The carnivore diet can get monotonous if you stick to the same meals every day. Experiment with new recipes to keep things interesting. Try different cooking methods, such as grilling, roasting, or slow cooking, and add spices or herbs to give your meals more flavor.
Have the Right Snacks on Hand
The hardest part for most people - man or woman - when starting the carnivore diet is cravings. Between meals, you’re going to need to snack. And when you’re used to eating chips, pretzels, candy, fruits, and other things that are to be eliminated on this diet, it can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created meat chips to help you keep cravings at bay without compromising on your goals.
What are meat snacks exactly? Just what they sound like! These are essentially meat pastries that melt in your mouth, giving way to tantalizing flavors you’ll never get bored of. With just two ingredients (meat and salt), they’re the best carnivore diet snack - bar none.
And, we have so many different cuts to choose from: ribeye chips, steak chips, lamb chips, beef chips, brisket chips, chicken chips, and even pork chips. Try them all and find your new favorite!
Find a Support System
Starting a new diet can be difficult, especially if you're doing it alone. Find a support system, whether it's friends or family, who understand your goals and can support you along the way. You can also join online communities or find a coach or mentor who has experience with the carnivore diet. As we said earlier, there are women’s carnivore diet groups on Facebook where you can get support from women just like you.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking plenty of water is important for overall health, and it's even more important when you're on the women’s carnivore diet. Water helps flush toxins from your body, and it can also help prevent constipation and other digestive issues that can occur when you're eating a high-protein diet. This is just good advice for anyone - regardless of if you’re on the carnivore diet or not. Women should aim for a bare minimum of a half gallon a day - the more, the better!
Listen to Your Body and Make Adjustments
Everyone's body is different, and it's important to listen to your body and make adjustments to the diet as needed. If you're feeling fatigued, bloated, or experiencing other side effects, adjust your portion sizes or try adding more vegetables or other foods to your diet. The carnivore diet for women is not a one-size-fits-all journey, so it's important to make changes to fit your individual needs.
And eventually, you may want to consider reintroducing certain foods you eliminated when first starting the diet. This is what the carnivore diet is all about at its core - eliminating all sources of food besides meat and slowly reintroducing things (one at a time) to figure out which specific foods cause the most issues for you.
Wrapping Up Our Guide to Carnivore Diet for Women
We hope this article left you inspired and eager to start the carnivore diet for women. As you can see, there are countless carnivore diet results women can strive for - from weight loss to better focus, improved gut health, and a whole lot more.
And now that you know how to start following this diet yourself, there’s only one thing left to do - head over to Carnivore Snax and stock up on our delicious carnivore chips! These will be an invaluable part of your new journey, helping you keep cravings at bay with a delicious, nutritious snack that aligns with your goals. Get yours today and transform your health for the better!
