THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
You’re probably well aware that the carnivore diet, despite being a powerful regimen for physical and mental health, has its flaws. The most common complaint is nutritional deficiency. That’s why you may want to set out on the right foot with some carnivore diet supplements to fill in the gaps.
We’ve created this list of the supplements to take while on carnivore diet if you’re worried you’re missing out on essential nutrients - including vitamins A, C, and D. A multivitamin covers most of what you need there. But you might want to add the following supplements to your diet, too:
- Digestive enzymes
- Omega 3s
- Fiber
- Magnesium
- Potassium
Learn more about what each of these carnivore diet supplements does and why it’s necessary. We’ll also show you other ways to get these nutrients without supplements.
Should You Take Supplements on Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet is all about simplicity. Those who advocate for this regimen say you get everything you need from animal-derived foods alone. The typical carnivore meal plan consists of beef, chicken, pork, fish, organ meats, eggs, and even some dairy products. That’s plenty of variety, right?
It might be. Or, you might feel as if something is missing. There are plenty of cases of people saying they felt sluggish, foggy, and weak until they started adding supplements on carnivore diet.
That’s not to mention the digestive side of things. Your gut is getting taxed while breaking down all that protein and fat you’re eating, so you may decide to give it a little bit of support.
But it’s important that you recognize the role of carnivore diet supplements. They are there for support. Not to replace poor dietary choices. You need to pull as much variety from the carnivore diet food list as possible. Only then should you consider rounding out your diet with supplements on carnivore diet.
So, that being said, what supplements should I take on the carnivore diet?
What Supplements Should I Take on the Carnivore Diet? 6 Carnivore Diet Supplements to Add to Your Arsenal
We’re not going to overcomplicate things and tell you that you need to head to your local supplement superstore and fill your cart up. You might only need 1-2 carnivore diet supplements to fill in the gaps. These are 6 of the best supplements to take while on carnivore diet.
A Good Multi-Nutrient
Let’s start with the easiest addition to your carnivore diet journey - a really solid multi-nutrient/multi-vitamin. This is going to cover the basics like:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K
- And the entire B vitamin complex
Make sure you’re getting ample amounts of these essential vitamins, but more importantly, make sure you’re getting them in their most bioavailable form. So many supplements look great on paper until you dig into how they’re sourced, and you realize your body can’t actually make use of any of the nutrition inside each capsule.
Digestive Enzymes
This is a really great addition to your carnivore diet, especially early on when your gut is going through a lot of complex changes. Digestive enzymes and probiotics/prebiotics can really help nourish your system in the meantime, and in the long run, for that matter.
Digestive enzymes help your body break down and absorb all the nutrients you’re getting from your meals. On the other hand, probiotics are beneficial bacteria already living in your digestive system. You can feed them by including a prebiotic in your arsenal.
Make sure you’re looking at two things in a probiotic supplement: diversity and concentration. You want multiple strains of beneficial bacteria and a high colony-forming unit (CFU) count. The probiotic supplement has to be shelf-stable or kept in the fridge so that the beneficial bacteria are actually alive by the time they reach your gut.
Omega-3 Supplements
You can get these through diet alone if you eat enough fish. Otherwise, a fish oil or krill oil supplement is worth adding to your routine. These bring you two key nutrients - EPA and DHA. They’re crucial for brain health, a healthy inflammatory response, and overall well-being.
Quality is paramount with these types of supplements - yeah, we say that about any supplement. But especially here, because cheap omega-3 supplements can be loaded with toxins (heavy metals in particular). Don’t bother with any supplement that doesn’t have lab tests.
Magnesium Supplements
Magnesium is one of the most vital minerals for human health. It’s involved in hundreds of bodily functions. It touches everything from muscle relaxation to focus, energy, and more.
It’s hard enough to get magnesium through diet if you’re eating all sorts of foods. It becomes even more challenging on the carnivore diet. So, you really can’t go wrong with one of these carnivore diet supplements.
There are two ways you can go about supplementing your body with magnesium. Oral or topical supplements. There’s a case to be made either way. Oral supplements may have lower bioavailability, but they’re certainly easier to take consistently.
Look at the type of magnesium, too. Some forms are easier for your body to use than others. We recommend magnesium chloride for a lot of adults. Or, try magnesium citrate if you’re struggling with constipation specifically (one of the more frustrating carnivore diet side effects).
Potassium Supplements
Potassium is one of the most overlooked supplements to take while on carnivore diet. It’s a powerful electrolyte that works alongside sodium to keep cells working properly. It may support heart health as well.
It’s true that meat is a great source of potassium. But electrolyte balance is an ongoing battle while on the carnivore diet, so you might want to supplement with potassium anyway.
Fiber Supplements
This one sounds obvious. You’re not getting any fiber on the carnivore diet. So, add a fiber supplement if you’re feeling constipated while on the carnivore diet and you’ll get things moving the way they’re supposed to once again.
Other Ways to Address Nutritional Deficiencies Without Supplements
There you have it, all the supplements to take while on carnivore diet! But like we said from the start, you don’t have to take supplements on carnivore diet. You can technically get all the nutrients you need through diet alone.
Organ Meats
They may not sound all that appetizing, but they’re the most powerful source of nutrition you have access to as a carnivore. Liver, heart, kidney, brain - there are plenty of varieties to choose from, and they offer nutrients you won’t get elsewhere.
You can get creative with how you cook them to mask the overly strong flavor, too. Just try to get organ meats on the menu a few times a week.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish will help you get your omega-3 nutrient needs checked off if you can eat seafood a few times a week. It’s also one of the lightest and leanest options while on the carnivore diet, perfect for when you don’t want another steak but chicken sounds boring.
Modified Carnivore Diet
Nobody said you had to stick with exclusively animal-derived products. Okay, fine - maybe they did. But more and more people are taking a flexible carnivore diet approach and including a few other fruits, vegetables, or perhaps even nuts/seeds to fill in nutritional gaps.
Our advice is to follow the diet as it’s laid out first. Cut everything out except animal products. Give it a good 1-2 months for your body to adapt to this new normal. Maybe even 3 months. Then, you can slowly reintroduce one food at a time and see how you respond. If you don’t deal with any adverse reactions, great! You can probably continue to enjoy that food.
Bone Broth
Bone broth has a wealth of nutrients. We like to think of it as one of the best carnivore diet supplements Mother Nature has to offer. You get essential minerals, collagen, and amino acids that support gut health, skin health, joint health, and more. Tons of electrolytes, too!
It’s super comforting on a cold day, and it’s a great way to boost your hydration without feeling like you’re chugging down more water. Try to drink bone broth a few times a week.
Bottom Line on Carnivore Diet Supplements
We know you came here to find the best carnivore diet supplements, but it’s important that you understand the role of carnivore diet snacks as well. The right high-fat snacks not only keep you feeling fueled, but they keep you mentally satisfied even in the face of cravings.
That’s where our meat chips can be your saving grace. They’re expertly crafted from just two ingredients - regeneratively raised meat and salt. That’s it. No extra junk like you’d find in beef jerky or biltong.
Yet, they’re absolutely amazing. People refer to them as meat pastries because they start out light and crispy before melting in the mouth, as tantalizing flavors take over your taste buds.
No carnivore diet journey is complete without our Carnivore Chips. Find your new favorite guilt-free indulgence today, and stock up on these alongside your carnivore diet supplements!
Related Resources
Can you have cheese on carnivore diet? | Fruit on carnivore diet
