THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
When you hear “carnivore diet,” a plate full of juicy steaks might flash before your eyes. But what about the sides?
Your plate may feel as if it’s missing something as you transition to this diet from a more traditional modern American diet. Where are the potatoes, or the rice? What about the veggies? Perhaps you’re missing your favorite dinner rolls.
The journey of a carnivore dieter often means bidding adieu to the traditional, vibrant variety of side dishes that once adorned the plate. But what if there was a way to add a little pizzazz without breaking the rules? There is - carnivore diet sides!
We’ll share our favorite carnivore diet side dishes to help you keep yourself sane as you journey through the world of carnivore. First things first - can you have sides on a carnivore diet?
Can You Have Sides on a Carnivore Diet?
Absolutely! In fact, we'd argue you need them. Otherwise, you'll get bored with the diet - who wants to eat meat and only meat? That's just impractical. you're more likely to cheat on the diet and go back to your old ways of eating if you don't genuinely enjoy what you eat.
To understand why we must talk about what foods are avoided on the carnivore diet - essentially, anything plant-based. We encourage you to read our carnivore diet food list if you’re new to the diet.
While you won't be reaching for that bowl of greens or grains, there's still a world of meaty and animal-derived delights waiting to be explored. The key is to be smart about your selections, ensuring you stick to the diet's guidelines while still indulging in some flavorful additions.
As you’ll discover below, though, there are quite a few challenges in finding worthy carnivore diet side dishes…
The Challenge With Finding Good Carnivore Diet Sides
Navigating the terrain of the carnivore diet can feel like a culinary tightrope at times. While the foundational principle is simple - eat only from animal sources - the practical aspect can become tricky, especially when it comes to side dishes.
The Limited Landscape: Why Traditional Sides Don't Fit the Bill
Think about it: A juicy steak is nestled within a bed of greens or served with a heap of fries. A succulent piece of fish usually rests next to a dollop of tartar sauce with a side of coleslaw.
The point is, most sides you’re accustomed to have plant ingredients as their primary component, and this poses a clear challenge for the carnivore dieter.
The Importance of Variety: Keeping Your Plate Exciting on a Restricted Diet
While the carnivore diet limits certain food groups, it doesn't mean your plate needs to be a repetitive array of the same cuts of meat day in and day out. In fact, it shouldn't be. That's just not sustainable.
You crave variety, and you can have it! It could be as simple as changing textures, flavors, and presentation.
Our Favorite Carnivore Diet Side Dishes
Who said reaping the carnivore diet benefits had to be boring? You can still enjoy some delicious, nutritious carnivore diet sides that won’t force you to compromise on the diet.
From eggy delights to cheesy additions, seafood sides, and more - here are the best carnivore diet side dishes to add to your diet.
Bone Broth or Bone Marrow
Bone broth is not just one of our favorite side dishes for carnivore diet - it's a nutrient powerhouse.
Simmering bones for extended periods releases minerals, collagen, and amino acids, offering a myriad of health benefits from joint support to improved digestion.
On the other hand, roasted bone marrow is a rich, buttery enhancement for steaks and roasts. Spread it on carnivore bread or enjoy it straight from the bone.
Eggs: Deviled Eggs, Egg Muffins, etc.
Eggs, in their myriad forms, make excellent side dishes for the carnivore diet. They're not just breakfast material. Deviled eggs can be a delightful side or appetizer with their creamy, yolky filling. Consider adding some finely chopped bacon or ham to the mix for a meatier twist.
Feeling really crazy? You could whip up some egg muffins (essentially mini frittatas). Load them up meats and cheese for a savory and satisfying protein-packed bite.
Eggs are SO adaptable. They can be scrambled, fried, poached, or baked. The way you make them totally changes their taste and texture, which is why they're among the most versatile carnivore sides.
Seafood Sides Like Shrimp, Oysters, Clams, and More
Don't forget the treasures the ocean offers! Grilled, sautéed, or boiled shrimp can be a light and flavorful side, especially with a sprinkle of salt.
Oysters are both a delicacy and a rich source of zinc. They can be served raw with a squeeze of lemon for flavor. Clams are one of our favorite carnivore diet sides too. We love them steamed and served in their own juice for that unmistakable briny taste of the sea. They pair wonderfully with meaty main dishes.
Cheese Crisps & Other Cheesy Sides
Wait - can you eat cheese on carnivore diet? Yes, it’s an animal source after all! The only challenge is in that you end up consuming carnivore diet carbs, which may interfere with carnivore diet weight loss goals - so enjoy in moderation.
With that said, cheese is the cornerstone of some of the best carnivore diet sides. If you've ever craved a crispy texture while on the carnivore diet, cheese crisps are the answer to your prayers.
They’re made by baking or frying thin layers of hard cheese like Parmesan or cheddar until they turn golden and crisp. These carnivore diet snacks offer a satisfying crunch reminiscent of traditional chips.
It’s not just about adding crunch to your plate, though. Cheese can be melted and draped over meat for a luxurious, creamy finish, adding a depth of flavor that only dairy can provide.
And let's not forget the classic grilled cheese, made with carnivore-friendly bread, giving you that gooey, melty satisfaction. We’ll talk more about carnivore bread shortly. The inclusion of cheese as a side or ingredient offers a calcium-rich, flavorful addition to the strict meaty regime.
Whipped Cream
Got apenchant for something creamy and slightly indulgent? Look no further! While you may lump whipped cream in with desserts, it can be a lush, velvety addition to fruits if you follow a slightly modified carnivore diet (more on that in a moment). It's also a great topper for coffee.
Carnivore Bread
Last but certainly not least on our list of the best carnivore diet sides is carnivore bread.
Wait - what is carnivore bread? Aren’t grains off-limits on this diet? They are, but this is what makes carnivore bread so special.
It’s carefully crafted from ingredients like eggs and pork rinds or other meat-based products, providing the joy of bread without the carbs. It's airy, fluffy, and when toasted, gives a beautiful crunch.
Whether you're making a meaty sandwich, looking for something to spread bone marrow on, or just missing the familiarity of toast in the morning, carnivore bread delivers.
A Quick Word on Modifying the Carnivore Diet to Embrace More Sides
As with any dietary approach, it's essential to recognize that individual needs, preferences, and goals can lead to some variations. The thought of diving deep into a strictly meat-based diet might be daunting, especially when thinking of the wide range of flavors and textures they might miss out on.
This is where the art of modification comes into play.
A modified carnivore diet is perfect for those yearning for a bit of diversity on their plate. While you won’t reap the same degree of benefits (the diet is highly exclusionary for a reason - and you get out what you put in), you can alleviate some of the cravings by following the carnivore diet with fruit, for example.
In some cases, you may consider eating select vegetables on the diet - be it asparagus or broccoli. But we recommend following the diet as it was intended for a period of time. This will give you a new baseline of health. You can slowly add back in one food item at a time after a few months of consistency. If you don’t notice any issues, then great - that food is probably not problematic for you!
Modifying the carnivore diet opens the door to a plethora of additional carnivore diet sides. It can also offset some carnivore diet side effects and eliminate the need for as many carnivore diet supplements.
Bringing Our Conversation on Carnivore Diet Side Dishes to a Close
While finding suitable carnivore diet sides can be challenge, it’s not impossible. We’ve shared our favorite side dishes on carnivore diet to inspire you as you attempt to keep things fresh and fill in the gaps on your plate.
From the rich depth of bone marrow to the delightful crunch of cheese crisps, there's a world of options available to satiate both your palate and nutritional needs.
But, we aren’t just here to share carnivore diet tips. We also have healthy meat snacks to help you round out your dietary regimen, setting you up for success as you embark on this journey.
Our meat chips are a perfect pairing for the carnivore diet, and are actually considered the best zero carb snacks because they contain just two ingredients - meat and salt. That’s it! That means they’re a perfect fit for the carnivore diet macros.
They’ve been referred to as meat pastries for the way they melt in your mouth and give way to tantalizing flavors. We have carnivore chips in a variety of flavors - including brisket chips, ribeye chips, beef chips, steak chips, lamb chips, chicken chips, and pork chips.
Your plate might be meat-centric, but with the right carnivore diet side dishes and our unbeatable chips, every bite promises an adventure. Happy feasting!
