The carnivore diet, a simple yet restrictive approach to eating, is gaining traction. This diet’s exclusive focus on animal products harkens back to our early ancestors’ nutritional habits. While research about the benefits of the carnivore diet is ongoing, anyone curious about this primal approach to dining should do their own research and consult with health professionals about any benefits or drawbacks. For those who have decided to follow in the footsteps of its leading proponent, Dr. [Name], finding satisfying snacks is key. Carnivore diet snacks bring meaty satisfaction to those tricky hangry moments where a little extra sustenance is required to make it through the day. These carnivore diet snack ideas give you the satisfying crunch without compromising your eating principles.
Understanding the Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive elimination diet that aims to reduce inflammation, boost energy levels, and improve overall health. It involves consuming primarily animal products, eliminating plant-based foods. Finding snacks for carnivore diet eating is easy if you know what to look for. The trick is to rely on fresh meat and grass-fed and finished meat products instead of canned, overly processed, or other low-quality beef products. When searching for the best snacks to eat on carnivore diet plans, focus on simple and minimally processed options. Additionally, snacks on carnivore diet meal plans should be excellent sources of essential vitamins and minerals, like vitamin B12, zinc, and iron.
Top Carnivore Diet Snack Ideas
Here's a breakdown of some of the best carnivore diet-approved snacks to keep you satisfied and on track:
Pork Rinds: Pork rinds (fried pork skins) are one of the best "grab-and-go" options among our list of carnivore diet snacks. They’re convenient, don’t require refrigeration, and are rich in healthy fats, high in protein, and low in carbohydrates. For the healthiest option, you can make your own rinds using this delicious homemade pork rinds recipe. Pork rinds can be healthy snacks on carnivore diet meal plans when you choose high-quality options that aren't cooked in vegetable oils. However, they are high in sodium and lower in beneficial vitamins compared to other animal products. For satisfying crunchy snacks on carnivore diet meal plans, pork rinds are the top choice, offering that crispy texture carnivore dieters crave.
Tuna: Tuna is one of the most filling and tasty carnivore diet snacks to have around the house. As one of the top carnivore diet snack ideas, tuna is packed with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B12. Tuna is great with a bit of salt and pepper right out of the can.
Read also: The Carnivore Diet: An Autoimmune Solution?
Eggs: Eating the best snacks for carnivore diet plans usually means having lots of eggs (especially for breakfast). Yes, eggs are excellent snacks on carnivore diet meal plans! Hard-boiled eggs make perfect grab-and-go options, while scrambled eggs with a bit of salt and pepper create a quick, filling snack. Once prepared, hard-boiled eggs can last up to a week in the fridge. They’re one of the most convenient snacks for the carnivore diet, as they’re simple to enjoy while on the go.
Grass-fed Meat Sticks: We may be a little biased, but we think grass-fed meat sticks are one of the best carnivore snacks on the go. Meaty snack sticks and jerky are ideal for on-the-go hunger satiation, where the stick is the snack. Not all beef sticks are created equal, though, and it's best to avoid any beef stick that packs their meat with preservatives, MSG, and other additives. When creating our snacks for carnivore diet eaters, we don't stop at 0 grams of sugar. Or any other nasty additives and ingredients.
Beef Jerky: Nutritious beef jerky, like our Smoky BBQ or Original Beef is a convenient, protein snack that you can take pretty much anywhere.
Deli Meat: One of the most classic carnivore diet snack ideas, deli meat, is an easy and convenient option to put those rumbles to rest. Chicken, turkey, and beef are all good options. The same rules of quality apply here, though. Look for natural, grass-fed options and avoid any products that contain unnatural flavorings or added sugars.
Bone Broth: It's made from beef, chicken, or fish bones, and these bones are rich in vitamins and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. After you’ve devoured your beef, chicken, or pork, there’s a way to ensure that you use every nourishing element of the animal. Rich in nutrients like collagen, gelatin, and amino acids, bone broth can help support joint health, skin, and gut wellness - which is especially valuable on a restrictive diet. It's possible to make bone broth at home but it is a bit time-consuming.
Read also: The Carnivore Diet's Impact on Sleep
Biltong: Biltong is a South African take on dried meat and happens to be one of our top carnivore snack ideas. Instead of using dehydrators or smoke like jerky, biltong is air-dried. And while jerky is made from lean cuts, biltong is made from both fatty and lean cuts. Biltong is usually beef and is pure meat, so it is a great resource for iron, zinc, vitamin B, and selenium.
Aged Cheeses: The carnivore diet lets you eat hard, aged cheeses like swiss, parmesan, feta, and other low-lactose dairy products including cottage cheese, kefir, and ghee. Just remember to avoid overly processed and finished cheeses.
Cured Meats: Cured meats are high in protein and fat and offer a good range of minerals.
Salmon Crisps: Salmon crisps are one of the newer snacks for carnivore diet eaters taking the world by storm.
Beef Liver: Beef liver is one of our favorite snacks on carnivore diet meal plans because of how nutrient filled it is. Because livers act as our body's nutrient filters, they have an extremely high nutrient profile. The nutritional profile for liver is exceptional.
Read also: Troubleshooting Carnivore Diet Diarrhea
Sardines: Sardines are definitely an acquired taste, but they are a great option among our list of carnivore diet snack ideas.
Steak Bites: Steak bites are exactly what they sound like, but that doesn't mean they should be overlooked! Buy some steak in bulk, cook an extra one or two when making dinner one night, cut it into cubes, and ta-da!
The Allure of Carnivore Crisps
Carnivore Crisps is a lean, all-natural, and delicious alternative to conventional snacking. Born out of necessity, we noticed that the snack market lacked a completely healthy option with the savory crunch of Carnivore Crisps. Many so-called health snacks are loaded with preservatives and artificial ingredients, or they provide clean ingredients but lack sufficient protein to keep you sustained and satisfied. Carnivore Crisps bridges this gap by offering the best cuts of meat, delivering a crispy crunch typically only found in chips. Finally, you can snack the way nature intended, with a product that truly helps you reach your peak performance.
Carnivore-Friendly Cracker Recipe
Looking for a crunchy snack that fits your carnivore lifestyle? These carnivore friendly crackers are crunchy, super easy to make- and amazingly tasty. The best part about these crackers is how versatile they are.
- Perfect Crunch: These crackers have an amazing crunch that’s hard to find on a carnivore diet.
- Cheese Heaven: Using sharp cheddar cheese as the main ingredient means these crackers pack a serious flavor punch. They’re great for serving with carnivore friendly dips, and even non carnivore guests will enjoy them.
Ingredients:
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Beef gelatin
- Egg white powder
- Egg
- Seasonings (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by cutting the cheese into small cubes and shredding it in a food processor.
- Then, add the beef gelatin, egg white powder (and seasonings if using) to the food processor. Pulse until well combined.
- Add the egg to the cheese mixture and mix until it forms a ball, then turns into a sticky cheese paste.
- Place the dough in the middle between two pieces of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Press to flatten it (I recommend using a rolling pin) - as thin as you can.
- Remove the top parchment. Slide the bottom parchment paper with the dough onto the baking sheet.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut into cracker shapes.
- Lower the oven temperature to 325°F.
- Place the crackers back on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- One of the most important parts of making these crackers is getting the temperature right. If your oven runs hot, consider dropping the temperature even a bit lower to 315°F during the second bake.
- If you try to cut them too soon, they’ll be too soft and will stick to your cutting tool.
Quick tip: Pin this recipe now to have it handy in your saved collection. Perfect for last-minute meal ideas!
General Tips for Carnivore Diet Snacking
- Prioritize Quality: Opt for snacks made from pasture-raised, grass-fed animals whenever possible.
- Read Labels Carefully: When choosing snacks on carnivore diet meal plans, prioritize products made from 100% grass-fed and finished beef or other high-quality animal sources. The best carnivore diet snack ideas will be free from nitrates, nitrites, MSG, soy, and any grain-fed animal products.
- Versatility is Key: Also, keep in mind the versatility of your snack options.
- Meal Prep is Important: If you’re going to eschew rather than chew carbs, you’re going to forgo the classic sandwich with its bounty of bread.
- Consider Weaver's Snacks: And though it may not be able to lay similar claims to the carnivore diet’s ancient roots, Weaver’s Snacks has been in the snack stick game for a whopping 135 years.