THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
It sounds crazy - eating fruit on carnivore diet. The whole point of following a meat-based diet is to completely eliminate plant-based foods. So why would you want to try the carnivore diet with fruit? Well, you’ll unlock a sea of nutrients you’d otherwise be missing out on!
The key is understanding that not all fruits are made equal, and that moderation is everything. We’ll cover everything you need to know about the meat and fruit diet below to help set you up for success.
Key Takeaways
- The traditional carnivore diet is meant to completely eliminate plant-based foods, including fruit.
- A lot of carnivore choose a more flexible, modified approach to include fruits because they have antioxidants and other nutrients you might miss out on.
- Moderation is everything. Fruits should be seen as a rare treat rather than a staple.
- Type of fruit matters. Berries, olives, avocado, lemons, and limes are all great options. Stay away from grapes, apples, bananas, oranges, and pineapples.
- You can consider getting key nutrients from supplements and organ meats if you prefer to avoid fruit on carnivore diet.
Can You Eat Fruit on Carnivore Diet?
Ask a carnivore diet purist if you can eat fruit on the carnivore diet and they’ll laugh at you. The carnivore diet food list is pretty simple. You can enjoy as much of these foods as you like:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Pork
- Eggs
- Organ meats
- Wild game
- Fish
- Some types of dairy
Fruit is not on the approved carnivore meal plan. The idea behind carnivore diet in the first place is that a lot of plant-based foods - from fruits to veggies, grains, and everything in between - have anti-nutrients. They cause more harm than good.
But then there’s another group of carnivores out there. They don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” approaches to dieting. This is the concept of the modified, or flexible carnivore diet.
You can exclude everything to get a new baseline and then add back in certain foods. Watch for symptoms to flare up. If you don’t notice any adverse reactions, that food may not have been a problem in the first place! You may include it in your diet (in moderation) without issue.
So, can you eat fruit on carnivore diet? You get to decide! You can follow this strict exclusionary regimen exactly as it’s laid out, or you can open it up to interpretation and do it on your terms.
Benefits of the Carnivore Diet With Fruit
There’s a reason the meat and fruit diet is becoming so much more popular. Both food groups have well-documented benefits. In theory, you could get all the nutrients you need exclusively through meat and fruit. Here are some reasons to consider trying the carnivore diet with fruit.
Antioxidants and Other Nutrients
Even though animal-based foods are highly nutritious, you are missing out on some pretty important nutrients. Fruit can fill in the gap. You’ll get more antioxidants, which your body uses for defense against free radicals.
You’ll also load up on a plethora of essential vitamins including:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K
The list goes on and on. Fiber, magnesium, and so many other nutrients can be found in fresh fruit as well. This helps you avoid some of the carnivore diet side effects related to nutrient deficiency.
Enjoying More Foods
Let’s be honest, the idea of eating only animal-based foods for the rest of your life sounds incredibly mundane. Maybe you’ve already faced the cravings firsthand. You can satisfy your sweet tooth and get some variety in your life once again by eating fruit on carnivore diet.
You should still make sure you have good carnivore diet snacks on hand, though, including our meat chips. These are a match made in heaven for the carnivore diet because they only have meat and salt. No other junk. They’re absolutely delicious, too, with a super satisfying texture.
There’s a variety for every palate, too, so you’ll never get bored:
Even still, there’s nothing like a refreshing bite into fresh fruit!
Hydration Benefits
Dehydration and electrolyte balance is a constant issue on the carnivore diet. But many fresh fruits help you get more water without even realizing it! Some even have electrolytes themselves to replenish what you’re burning through while on this regimen.
Tips on Eating Fruit on Carnivore Diet
So, can you eat fruit on carnivore diet? Yes, but you have to be strategic in how you go about it. It’s not as simple as stocking up at the produce section and chomping away to your heart’s content. Let’s start with the carnivore diet fruit list we recommend.
Carnivore Diet Fruit List
There are a few specific types of fruit that we believe are a good fit for the carnivore diet:
Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries - these are loaded with antioxidants and essential vitamins, and they are super good. Lower in sugar than some other fruits, too.
- Olives: You may not really consider these a fruit, but they are! They’re lower in sugar than a lot of fruit and also quite low in carbs, so you can continue to force your body into ketosis.
- Avocado: Another one people don’t realize is a fruit, but it’s packed with healthy fats and other essential nutrients. Low in carbs, too.
- Coconut: Drinking pure coconut water can be a great way to get some variety in your diet and encourage you to stay hydrated if you don’t meet your daily water goals.
- Lemons/limes: Maybe not enjoyable to eat plain, but again, try infusing your own lemon/lime water to force yourself to drink more and get some much-needed electrolytes and antioxidants.
Other fruits you can consider adding to your diet include cherries, plums, kiwis, peaches, cantaloupe, and clementines. But let’s get into the fruit you should NOT eat on this diet.
What Fruit to Avoid on the Carnivore Diet
Not all fruit is as good for you as you’ve been led to believe over the years. A lot of varieties have way more sugar and carbs than you should ever consume, let alone while on the carnivore diet. Steer clear of:
- Bananas
- Citrus fruits (oranges, mangoes, etc.)
- Pineapple
- Grapes
- Apples
Make sure you never eat dried fruit, either. Yeah, it’s convenient. But it has way less water and far more sugar. Same goes for fruit smoothies/drinks from your local supermarket. Chew your fruit, and eat it fresh.
How Much of Your Diet Should Consist of Fruit?
Following the carnivore diet with fruit is to be done in moderation. We like to look at fruit the same way we do high-fat snacks - it’s there to fill in the gaps and hold you over between meals from time to time. Not to serve as a staple in your diet. That might mean eating one serving of fruit a day, or perhaps even less.
Do You Need to Eat Fruit on Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet with fruit helps you get a lot of key nutrients - but it’s not the only way to get those nutrients while following a restrictive diet.
A lot of people are surprised to learn that meat is loaded with things like Vitamin C. But the real nutritional powerhouse is a specific type of meat - organ meat. Liver, heart, kidney - these varieties have nutrients you won’t get from other types of meat.
You can also consider taking a supplement to fill in the nutritional gaps you’re facing. That’s the beauty of the carnivore diet as we’ve come to know and love it - you can make it whatever you like!
Bottom Line on the Carnivore Diet With Fruit
In closing, you can absolutely eat fruit on carnivore diet if you choose to. Just make sure you’re aware of what fruits to avoid, and always enjoy fruit in moderation. Let the foundation of your diet be what it’s supposed to be - high-quality animal-based foods. Fruit is a complementary addition, not a staple!
Frequently asked questions
Can you eat fruit while on a carnivore diet?
Yes, as long as you do so in moderation and choose your fruit wisely.
Why add fruit to carnivore diet?
It brings you nutrients you might not get from animal derived products, and it can help prevent the diet from getting mundane.
Where can I get key nutrients without fruit?
Organ meats, fish, eggs, and supplements.
What’s the downside to eating fruit on carnivore diet?
All fruit has some amount of sugar and carbs.
What fruits do I need to avoid while on carnivore diet?
Bananas, citrus fruits (oranges, mangoes, etc.), pineapple, grapes, and apples - they all have high sugar and carb content relative to their good nutrients.
Related Resources
Can you have cheese on carnivore diet? | Milk on carnivore diet
