Why Am I So Hungry on the Carnivore Diet?

The case for carnivore is obvious. It can support a healthier inflammatory response, ease weight management, improve mental clarity, and simplify your nutritional choices. You’ll find yourself naturally eating less and feeling fuller when you do it right.

Then, why am I so hungry on the carnivore diet? This is a question we see asked all the time, and there are actually quite a few reasons you might be struggling with carnivore diet hunger. We’ll help you narrow it down to one of these culprits below:

• You’re not eating enough, period
• Your fat-to-protein ratio might be off
• You’re still adapting to the diet
• You’re not getting enough micronutrients
• You’re stressed or not sleeping well
• You’re grazing all day instead of eating hearty meals
• You’re relying on carnivore “snacks” instead of real food
• You’re not drinking enough water

In this sense, dealing with feeling hungry on carnivore diet is pretty simple! Figure out which of these is the reason you’re not feeling satisfied and pivot accordingly. If you find that the issue is not having quality snacks to rely on between meals, look no further than our meat chips.

Carnivore Snax is a perfect ally for the carnivore diet or any other exclusionary regimen, for that matter. They’re made from just ingredients: regenerative meat and Redmond Real Salt. That’s it. Yet, the taste and texture are to die for! Order yours today and discover the difference firsthand.

What is the Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet is as straightforward as it gets. Eat only animal-based foods. It’s really that simple! So, what can you eat on the carnivore diet? 

Your carnivore meal plan will consist of meat, eggs, organs, and animal fats. What you won’t consume are fruits, veggies, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes - anything else.

The idea is to eliminate processed junk and common irritants found in plant-based foods. You’re giving your gut a break and your body a steady supply of bioavailable nutrients. It’s closer to how our ancestors ate, and they experienced far fewer health concerns.

People turn to carnivore for many different reasons. It could be clearing up digestion issues, reducing inflammation, improving energy and focus, or just simplifying their eating.

One of the biggest surprises many people have after going carnivore is how full they feel. Appetite management is a lot easier without carbs and fiber constantly spiking and crashing your blood sugar, after all!

You naturally eat less, without even trying, because fat and protein actually keep you full. At least, that’s the idea. It doesn’t always work that way in practice, though. You probably know that already if you’re reading about carnivore diet hunger levels.

So, why am I so hungry on the carnivore diet?

Why Am I So Hungry on the Carnivore Diet?

You’re eating steak, bacon, eggs…so why am I so hungry on the carnivore diet an hour later? Something is off if you're constantly thinking about food known for encouraging more satiety than most other nutritional regimens. It could be one of these 8 things, or a combination.

You’re Not Eating Enough!

The simplest answer to why you’re feeling hungry on carnivore diet all the time is you’re intake is too low. It’s a simple matter of calories in vs calories out. You’re naturally going to feel hungry if you’re running at a deficit where your body burns more calories daily than you feed it.

This is what’s so great about carnivore, though. Technically, you can eat as much as you want as long as you’re eating within the confines of the carnivore diet rules. Simply double your intake, and we bet you won’t feel as much hunger on carnivore diet!

Your Fat-to-Protein Ratio Might Be Off

Maybe it’s not a portion problem but an issue with the ratio of your nutrition. Specifically, your fat-to-protein intake. This is a common misconception, but carnivore diet isn’t supposed to be just high-protein. You want more fat than anything else, actually.

Fat slows digestion, balances hormones, and keeps you full longer. It’s also the fuel your body will run on in the absence of carbs. You’re missing the satiety that comes from fat if your meals are all lean chicken breast or egg whites. Fat is not the foe, it’s your friend!

You’re Still Adapting to the Diet

Be realistic about how long you’ve been on the carnivore diet. You could still be in the adaptation phase if it’s only been a week or two. At this point, your body is probably screaming for carbs, since it’s used to running on glycogen for fuel. This shows up in the form of cravings.

It usually takes a good 2-4 weeks for your metabolism to shift away from carbs and start efficiently burning fat for fuel. Support the transition by eating more frequently if needed, prioritizing fat, and staying hydrated.

You’re Not Getting Enough Micronutrients

Yes, carnivore is nutrient-dense - but only if you eat a variety of animal parts. You can’t just rely on steaks, burgers, and chicken. You need to eat all the best meat for carnivore diet. 

That includes organ meats, eggs, bone marrow, and more. These sources include magnesium, potassium, or B vitamins. Deficiencies in these nutrients can trigger cravings and constant hunger on carnivore diet. 

You’re Stressed or Not Sleeping Well

Your carnivore diet hunger issues could have nothing to do with the diet whatsoever. Maybe it’s an external factor, like sleep or stress. This is where your hormones come into play.

Ghrelin and leptin regulate hunger, and these can get thrown out of balance if you’re not getting 7-9 hours of quality rest every single night. The same can be said for stress, which spikes cortisol levels and, in turn, increases your appetite (for the worst kind of foods, mind you).

You’re Grazing All Day Instead of Eating Hearty Meals

Carnivore thrives on meals, not nibbles. Grazing keeps your digestion constantly working and never lets your hunger hormones reset. You’re better off having two or three solid, satisfying meals than snacking every hour.

You’re Relying on Carnivore “Snacks” Instead of Real Food

There’s nothing wrong with carnivore diet snacks. In fact, they’re 100% necessary to succeed on this diet. But remember, nothing replaces real meals, just like we mentioned above.

These snacky foods are often dehydrated, low in fat, and high in sodium. They can hit your taste buds without satisfying your hunger, leaving you wanting more. Our carnivore chips are the exception, but even these should be eaten in moderation rather than as a meal replacement.

You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

I’ve checked off all these boxes and still want to know, why am I so hungry on the carnivore diet? There’s one more thing it could be: hydration. Or more aptly, dehydration. 

Animal-based diets are naturally low in carbs, and carbs help the body retain water. Your body flushes out fluids much faster without them. You might mistake dehydration for hunger if you’re not constantly replenishing those fluids (with electrolytes).

What to Do if You’re Feeling Hungry on Carnivore Diet

Feeling hungry on carnivore diet all the time can be downright miserable, but managing carnivore diet hunger levels is pretty easy now that you know all the common causes. Here are some more tips if you’re constantly struggling with hunger on carnivore diet.

Track Your Intake

First things first, figure out what you’re actually eating. It’s easy to assume you’re getting plenty of calories and macronutrients even when you’re not coming close to your daily requirements.

Use an online calculator to get a better baseline of how much you should eat every day, and set your fat and protein ratios accordingly. Track your meals for a few days and find out just how much you’re really eating. 

The goal if you’re feeling hungry on carnivore diet is get into a slight surplus. So if you find you need 2,700 calories to maintain your weight, but you feel like you’re starving yourself, bump it up to 2,900!

Eat More Fatty Cuts

Remember, fat is your friend on carnivore as the primary fuel source, and it’s what keeps you full between meals as well. Swap lean meats like chicken breast or 90/10 ground beef for ribeye, 80/20, short ribs, or beef cheeks.

Add tallow or butter to your cooking as well. Our blog has additional tips on how much fat to eat on carnivore diet and you can check out this carnivore diet food list for more fatty foods worth trying, including our favorite high-fat, low-carb snacks.

Structure Bigger Meals, Fewer Times Per Day

Take a look at your meal plan, and ask yourself - are you eating too often? Snacking keeps your appetite constantly triggered. Instead, eat two to three solid, nutrient-dense meals per day and snack around those main meals.

Think: a 12 oz ribeye with two eggs and a side of bone marrow rather than a few slices of bacon. Eating big, complete meals trains your body to feel full and stay full longer. It also gives your digestive system a break, which may improve energy and focus.

Snack Smarter

On the note of snacks, rethink the high-protein low-calorie snacks you’re relying on. Rather than boring boiled eggs or beef jerky, upgrade to our meat chips here at Carniovre Snax. From our ribeye chips to steak chips, lamb chips, brisket chips, there are so many varieties.

Every batch is sourced from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms in the nation, and we only add salt. That’s right, just two ingredients - yet, they’re called a meat pastry because they start out light and airy with a delightful crisp. Then, they melt in your mouth, giving way to tantalizing flavors.

Because they’re real meat with plenty of protein and fat you’ll actually feel full after eating Carnivore Snax. Don’t just take our word for it though. See what others had to say:

“I am having to calm myself down, as this is so freaking good that I am trying not to chew through the whole bag. It was so good that I pulled up the company to write a review. My new favorite snack in the world!” - Sarah

“These are the best tasting snack I have ever tried. The texture and taste are a combination of beef and salt and they're even a little greasy--which means they are fresh and tallow coated. Can't stop eating them!” - Mark

“I’ve been on a carnivore diet for a few years now. High fat and high protein. It’s hard to find foods that have enough fat to not only make them balanced, but taste great. Carnivore Snax knocked it out of the park with these. They are my go to now. Great for work, toss a bag in my gear and go.” - Chris

Drink More Water and Add Salt

Your body sheds water and electrolytes more quickly due to low insulin levels on carnivore diet. It’s all too easy to mistake thirst for hunger. 

You need to offset this effect by getting at least 2-3 liters of water per day, and don’t fear salt. Add Redmond Real Salt (one of the best electrolytes for carnivore diet) or sea salt liberally to your water or meals. Ramp this up if you’re training or sweating.

Include Organ Meats or Supplement if Needed

You might be missing key micronutrients like B vitamins, iron, or zinc if your meals are just muscle meats and eggs. These deficiencies can trigger cravings and unexplained hunger on carnivore diet. 

As unappealing as they may sound, we believe carnivore diet organ meats are a non-negotiable. Including small portions of liver, kidney, or heart once or twice a week can make a big difference. They provide nutrients you just won’t get anywhere else on carnivore.

Give It Time

Patience is a virtue on the carnivore diet. Feeling hungry on carnivore diet is totally normal at first, as your body is learning to run on fat rather than carbs. 

Eat more than you think you need during this phase. Trust the process, stay consistent, and focus on whole animal foods. Your carnivore diet hunger levels will regulate as your metabolism adapts, and you’ll finally star feeling the satiety carnivore is known for.

Closing Thoughts on Carnivore Diet Hunger Levels

In closing, why am I so hungry on the carnivore diet? We hope this quick guide to why you’re feeling hungry on carnivore diet has helped you narrow it down to one of the main causes so you can make little tweaks to your nutrition or lifestyle.

You may not be eating enough, your fat ratio might need adjusting, or your body could still be adapting. Hunger is a helpful signal, not a setback. Focus on real, fatty cuts, structured meals, hydration, and nutrient density and you shouldn’t have any carnivore diet hunger issues!

Our blog has additional resources on carnivore diet desserts, beef jerky alternatives, the carnivore bar, or alternatives to deli meat if you’d like to learn more about what you can eat on this radical nutritional regimen.

Otherwise, the only thing left to do today is spoil yourself at Carnivore Snax, where you’ll discover the best meat chips that actually satisfy cravings between meals. Experience carnivore satiety the way it’s meant to feel!