THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
There are countless carnivore diet benefits, from better mental clarity to a healthier inflammatory response, easier weight management, and more.
But following a well-rounded carnivore diet plan is key to unlocking all these benefits - and that’s where the need for carnivore diet organ meats come into play.
Ugh, eating liver and heart sounds gross…do you HAVE to eat organ meat on carnivore diet? If so, how much organ meat should I eat on carnivore diet? We’ll answer all these questions and more below, including which are the best organ meats for carnivore diet.
While doing the carnivore diet without organ meats is certainly possible, you’re selling yourself short. These offer nutrients you won’t get elsewhere, and you could experience nutritional deficiencies without them.
Don’t sweat it, though. We’ll share tips on making organ meats actually enjoyable on the carnivore diet - or at least stomachable!
Overview of Carnivore Diet and Organ Meats
It’s no secret that what is allowed on the carnivore diet is strictly animal-based foods, but let’s take a closer look at the basic carnivore diet rules below to better set the stage for our conversation on carnivore diet and organ meats.
What is the Carnivore Diet?
So, what is the carnivore diet - and how does the carnivore diet work? This strict nutritional regimen is vastly different from others you may have tried. You’ll eliminate all plant-based sources of food, including:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Grains
- Legumes
- Nuts and seeds
- And any other processed foods in between
Instead, you’ll consume meats like beef, pork, lamb, and fish, with an emphasis on fattier cuts to meet energy needs, since carbs are completely off the menu.
It sounds crazy, but is carnivore diet healthy? The carnivore diet before and after results speak for themselves. Those who make the switch report feeling more energetic and mentally clear, experiencing weight loss, and in some cases a reduction in symptoms of chronic conditions.
All diets have their drawbacks, and carnivore is no exception. You should be aware of both the pros AND cons of carnivore diet. One of the most noteworthy is the potential for nutrient deficiency in the absence of all plant-based foods.
That’s where the other half of the carnivore diet and organ meats conversation comes in.
What are Organ Meats?
Also known as “offal,” these are nutrient-dense organs of animals, including the liver, heart, kidneys, and more. We’ll get more specific about the best organ meats for carnivore diet later on - why would you bother eating these, though?
These parts of the animal are loaded in essential nutrients like vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and CoQ10, which aren’t as plentiful in muscle meat alone. In fact, it’s been suggested that these nutrients are far more bioavailable in organ meats than plant-based foods, too!
That being said, some newcomers have a hard time getting comfortable with the idea of carnivore diet organ meats. So, do you HAVE to eat organ meat on carnivore diet?
Do You Have to Eat Organ Meat on Carnivore Diet?
We mentioned earlier that one of the main carnivore diet side effects is the potential for nutritional deficiencies. Muscle meats, like steak or pork chops, are rich in protein and fats but may lack specific vitamins and minerals.
Fortunately, animals do provide every nutrient necessary for human health in some way, shape, or form. In this case, some of the nutrients in question have to be obtained through organ meats.
The carnivore diet has a lot of benefits, but these are all contingent on pulling from a well-rounded carnivore diet food list. Otherwise, you could actually end up worse off.
For example, vitamin A supports vision, skin health, and immune function. B vitamins play an essential role in energy production and brain function.
These are just two examples of nutrients you can find in organ meats that aren’t obtainable in other types of meats. Without these nutrients you could be compromising immune function, energy levels, and overall health.
Most advocates promote a “nose-to-tail” approach, which involves consuming all parts of the animal - organs, bones, and connective tissues included.
After all, carnivore as a philosophy attempts to replicate how our ancestors would have eaten - and they ate every part of the animal. They didn’t cherry-pick the stuff that tasted good. Food was fuel for survival first and foremost.
So do you have to eat organ meat on carnivore diet? Technically, you do not. Many follow a modified carnivore diet that even allows for some fruits, vegetables, and other carbs.
A better question is, is it even worth doing carnivore diet without organ meats? Why bother if you’re not going to go all in? Ultimately, that’s something only you can answer for yourself.
But we do encourage you to at least try organ meats. As we’ll touch on below, it doesn’t have to be as tough to stomach as you may have been led to believe. First, how much organ meat should I eat on carnivore diet?
How Much Organ Meat Should I Eat on Carnivore Diet?
Just as with configuring the ideal carnivore diet macros, there is no one-size-fits-all answer surrounding the question of carnivore diet organ meats quantities.
But much to the delight of those who are hesitant to consume organ meats on carnivore diet, you really don’t need much to reap their benefits. In fact, less is more in most cases.
There are some people who come to carnivore with the goal of squeezing as much out of this journey as possible. Despite having the best intentions, they eat way too much organ meats - and this can cause more harm than good.
Take liver, for example. It’s incredibly rich in fat-soluble vitamin A, meaning it can accumulate in the body over time. In the long run this can lead to hypervitaminosis A, which may cause symptoms like joint pain, dizziness, and nausea.
Now, liver is a unique example as other organ meats don’t carry the same level of toxicity risk - but it goes to show that balance is important. So, how much organ meat should I eat on carnivore diet?
Our advice is to start small and ramp up over time - much like our advice on how to start the carnivore diet in general. Begin with half-ounce to one-ounce servings of liver and other organs to see how your body responds.
This will also give you a chance to get used to the strong flavors (particularly of liver) and minimize waste if you can’t bring yourself to finish the serving.
Add an extra half-ounce per serving every couple of weeks to gradually reach your target without shocking your system. If you’re in the minority of people who actually enjoy organ meats, you can eventually work up to 2–3 ounces per serving.
As far as how often to eat carnivore diet organ meats, again, less is more. You don’t need to work these into all your carnivore diet meal ideas. Rather, a few times a week is plenty. If you really can’t get enough of that liver and heart, 3-4 times a week is as much as we recommend.
What are the Best Organ Meats for Carnivore Diet?
Whether you’re looking for carnivore diet lunch ideas, carnivore dinner ideas, or even carnivore breakfast inspiration, there are many different carnivore diet organ meats at your disposal. What are the best organ meats for carnivore diet, though?
Remember, the whole purpose of including organ meats on carnivore diet is for nutrient variety. Each organ meat contains different nutrients, so you should be eating all of them in your regular rotation. Here are the best organ meats for carnivore diet if you’re not sure where to start.
Liver: The Ultimate Nutrient Powerhouse
We’ve talked about liver a lot so far, and for good reason. It’s without a doubt the #1 organ meat for those following carnivore diet. There are some who call it nature’s multivitamin! So, we’d go as far as to say it’s one of the best meats for carnivore diet, period.
It’s high in vitamin A to support vision, immune health, and skin. Liver is also rich in B vitamins, particularly B12, which helps with energy production and nerve health. Other important nutrients you’ll get in liver are iron, copper, and folate.
Even a small serving of liver, around 1–2 ounces a couple of times per week, provides a significant nutrient boost. You cannot afford to overlook this organ meat in your meal planning.
Heart: High in CoQ10 and Essential Fatty Acids
The heart is an excellent source of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a compound crucial for heart health (go figure!) and energy production at the cellular level.
It’s also rich in essential fatty acids, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and selenium, providing nutrients that support overall cardiovascular health. Heart has a texture closer to muscle meat, making it an easy addition for those new to organ meats and hesitant.
It’s especially important for those on a carnivore diet looking to support endurance and recovery, as CoQ10 is known for boosting energy and protecting cells. We’re looking at you, athletes!
Kidney: Source of Selenium and Omega-3s
Kidneys are prized for their selenium content - a powerful antioxidant that supports immune health and thyroid function.
They’re also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are often lacking in standard carnivore diets focused on land animals. While you can get them through fish, it doesn’t hurt to get them through organ meats as well!
Kidney has a notoriously strong flavor, but when prepared well it’s a unique addition that provides benefits difficult to find elsewhere in the animal kingdom. Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to mask the taste so you won’t even notice it in your meals!
Other Organs to Try: Brain, Tongue, and More
The three options above are the best organ meats for carnivore diet, but there are many others you might feel compelled to try.
Brain is rich in healthy fats, particularly DHA, which supports brain function and nervous system health. Tongue is tender and high in collagen which helps skin and joint health.
Other organs, like spleen and pancreas, offer specialized nutrients such as enzymes and unique peptides. These can support digestion and metabolic health.
They say the world is your oyster, and it’s worth trying everything once in our opinion - especially when it can be so beneficial for your health. Plus, there are ways to make carnivore diet organ meats taste a bit better - we’ll share some advice below.
Tips on Making Organ Meat on Carnivore Diet More Enjoyable
Sure, eating raw organ meats isn’t going to taste great. Even basic recipes won’t cut it for those with a sensitive palate (or perhaps stomach). The good news is you don’t have to choke these carnivore diet organ meats down. Here’s some ways to make them, dare we say, enjoyable?
Mixing With Ground Meat
The simplest way to mask the intense flavor of organ meats is diluting their presence - mixing them in with other meats. Ground beef, lamb, and pork are all strong in their own right, and in a far more pleasant way.
Our suggestion is just an ounce or two of liver or heart to a pound of ground meat to keep the flavor mild while still boosting the nutritional value. This approach works well in recipes like burgers, meatballs, or meatloaf.
Slow Cooking and Seasoning Tips
Maybe it’s not the taste, but the texture of organ meats that has you turned off from them. If so, we recommend you try slow cooking them. This is a game-changer for tougher meats.
Braise them in a slow cooker with a little salt, pepper, and herbs tenderizes them and mellows out the flavor. You can also use seasonings like garlic, rosemary, or thyme to enhance the taste and make the dish more enjoyable.
Slow cooking allows you to cook organs in bulk, making it easy to add them to meals throughout the week. Just make sure you’re using carnivore-friendly seasonings.
Simple Recipes for Beginners
Not sure where to start with your 30-day carnivore diet meal plan? There are plenty of ways you can cook up organ meets in a discreet manner.
A quick pan-seared liver with butter and salt keeps things basic but tasty. You can also try liver pate, which combines liver with butter and herbs for a creamy spread that’s easy to enjoy on its own or mixed with other meats.
Our favorite way to enjoy heart is by slicing it thin and grilling or sautéing it with minimal seasoning. The texture is more familiar and mirrors steak, so it’s a beginner-friendly choice.
Prepping and Storing Organ Meats
Prepping organ meats in advance can make the process easier and help you stay consistent. Portion liver or kidney into individual servings and freeze them in airtight bags for easy access. This way, you can defrost only what you need and avoid waste.
Heart and tongue can also be cooked in batches, sliced, and stored in the fridge for up to a week, ready to add to meals. Just make sure you’re eating them in time after cooking them so they’re still fresh.
Are Organ Meat Supplements Good Enough?
You’ve probably seen the concept of organ meat supplements - which claim to offer all the same benefits as the real deal in a more convenient, easy-to-stomach form. Are these going to deliver the same value, though? Do you have to eat organ meat on carnivore diet when these exist?
We still believe it’s worth eating real food and limiting supplements in general. But if you simply cannot stomach carnivore diet organ meats after following our advice above, these will be a suitable replacement. Just be aware you’re selling yourself short. You can find more insights on the role of carnivore diet supplements in our blog.
We also have resources on everything from cheese on carnivore diet to milk on carnivore diet, coffee on carnivore diet, carnivore diet and cholesterol, carnivore diet vs keto, carnivore diet inflammation, paleo vs carnivore, nuts on carnivore diet, carnivore diet and gut health, and more.
Bringing Our Carnivore Diet Organ Meats Guide to a Close
As we wrap up our guide to eating organ meats on carnivore diet, remember that as tough as it may be to bring yourself to try these, they’re nutrient powerhouses. From the liver’s high vitamin A content to the heart’s CoQ10, these are a must for anyone serious about this nutritional regimen.
Whether you’re mixing them into ground meats or starting small with supplements, organ meats offer versatility and benefits that support overall health. We hope this guide on the best organ meats for carnivore diet has made that clear!
But remember, meals are just going to make up the bulk of your nutrition - not all of it. You also need high-quality carnivore diet snacks to keep yourself sane when cravings strike. The best low carb snacks are just a click away here at Carnivore Snax: Our meat chips.
These are like a meat pastry because they start out with a delightful crunch before melting in your mouth and giving way to tantalizing flavors. Make no mistake, though, they’re only made from 2 ingredients: meat and salt. That’s it.
The meat we use is strictly sourced from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms in the world. That means you can feel good about spoiling yourself with our carnivore chips. We have a variety for everyone, too, whether you prefer carnivore diet chicken or pork on carnivore diet:
Order today and see for yourself what keeps our customers coming back for more and more of our carnivore diet sweets!
