Top 10 Tips for Your First Time on the Carnivore Diet 

So you’ve been seeing swoon-worthy before and after carnivore diet results. You’ve probably heard about how this no-carb way of eating helps with stubborn weight, chronic inflammation, brain fog, and much more. 

If you are curious about the carnivore diet but feeling wildly unprepared, this post is for you. 

Because let’s be honest here. When people hear, “all meat, no plants,” their brains short-circuit. After all, that is so extreme. 

But for some, the extreme nature of the carnivore diet is exactly what makes it work so well for weight loss, energy levels, and overall wellness.

Whether you want to try the carnivore diet to simplify your meals, fix some frustrating health issues, or just as a small experiment, I got you. 

Here are the top 10 tips for your first time on the carnivore diet. 

Must-Know Tips for Your First Time on the Carnivore Diet

1. Know What to Eat, and What to Avoid

First things first, let’s break down exactly what you should have on your plate.

On paper, the carnivore diet seems simple enough. Animal-based, zero-carb, nose-to-tail eating, think meat, fish, animal fats. No carbs, no fiber. In short, no plant-based anything. 

Foods to Eat:

• Beef, including ground, steak, and roast 
• Lamb, bison, and other red meats
• Fatty fish such as salmon and sardines 
• Eggs
• Organ meats, including liver, heart, and tripe 
• Bone broth

What to Avoid 

• Fruits and vegetables, yes, even avocado 
• Grains and legumes
• Seed oils
• Processed foods

Here is a more detailed carnivore diet food list for everything you should eat on the carnivore diet and what to avoid. 

Remember, there are different versions of the carnivore diet. Strict carnivore is all about just meat, water, and salt. Animal-based carnivore diet is a little less strict and allows mostly meat with small additions like dairy and honey. 

Choose your lane and stick to it.

Need a grocery list? Check out our carnivore diet shopping list. 

Remember, one of the major tasks when considering what you can and can’t eat is cleaning out your pantry and fridge. You need to remove all the visible temptations from your home.

2. Be Prepared for, and Expect the Adaptation Phase ( AKA, the carnivore flu)

The first few days, or even a week or two on the carnivore diet, might feel..well, rough. 

I am talking, headaches, fatigue, irritability, brain fog, and possibly some embarrassing visits to the bathroom. 

Don’t be too alarmed. That’s your body simply detoxing from carbs. 

This is called the “meat flu” or “carnivore flu.” And it is temporary. It simply means your body is shifting from burning carbs for energy to burning fat. 

So, how do you deal? Remember, it’s temporary. Hydrate. Rest. Most people start feeling amazing by week 3.

3. Don’t Fear Fat on Carnivore Diet- You Absolutely Need it.

One of the biggest rookie mistakes on the carnivore diet is not eating enough fat.

If you grew up on a low-fat mindset, thanks to 90s diet culture, eating lots of fat can feel super scary. 

But you must remember that on the carnivore diet, fat is your fuel. 

Basically, without carbs, your body turns to fat for energy, and if you don’t eat enough fat, you’ll feel like a sluggish zombie.

So yes, eat your ribeye, eat your salmon. But don’t forget to add the extra tallow and the butter. Cook your eggs in ghee or beef fat (try suet).

Even when in doubt, go fattier than you think. 

In fact, many carnivores use a 1 to 1 ratio of fat to protein. And some go as far as twice as much fat as protein. 

So, you see, you need a lot more fat than you think. 

4. Stay Hydrated, and (Add Electrolytes)

Water is non-negotiable on any diet. But on the carnivore diet, so are electrolytes. 

So as your body sheds water weight ( which happens fast when you completely cut carbs), it flushes out sodium, potassium, and magnesium. 

And that’s what causes fatigue, muscle cramps, and irritability.

So what’s the solution? Salt your food like a pro and consider it. 

Adding Redmond or Himalayan pink salt to water.

Electrolyte drops (sugar-free)

Simple homemade keto-friendly electrolyte drink (maybe water, salt, and magnesium drops)

Remember, don’t overdo water. Just drink for thirst. But watch your minerals. 

5. Keep it Simple, the First Few Weeks

This is your first time on a super restrictive diet. Keeping it simple will make it sustainable. 

Just stick to the basics: some ground beef, eggs, ribeye roast, and don’t forget some fat.

There is no need to track, weigh, or stress for the first few weeks. Just eat until full.

After you are used to the diet, you’ll have a lot of time to explore different cuts and track your weight and general mood. 

6. Consider Carnivore Diet Supplements to Complement and supplement the Diet.

Alright, let’s talk about carnivore diet supplements. Ideally, the carnivore diet should give you every nutrient from real food.

 After all, although the carnivore diet is one of the most restrictive diets out there, it is pretty nutrient-dense, especially when you embrace organ meats. 

However, unless you are drinking bone broth and eating liver daily, you might fall short on a few key things. 

Here are some supplements you might want to consider, especially in the beginning. 

• Electrolyte – sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
• Omega 3s – If you are not eating enough fatty fish.
• Digestive enzymes – Since your stomach is new to heavy fat and protein.

Remember, you don’t need to overdo it. Many people on the Carnivore diet do not supplement at all and function well. 

7. Track your Symptoms, not the Scale (for the first few weeks)

I am a big proponent of not obsessing over the number on the scale. Sometimes the scales lie. And this is very true on the carnivore diet. Especially the first two weeks.

Why? Because your body is shifting water, shedding inflammation, adjusting hormones, and resetting your gut. So yeah, it is understandable that the numbers shift around during this time. 

So, instead of obsessing over the scale, track these:

1. Energy – How are you feeling? More energetic? Fewer afternoon crushes?
2. Digestion – Are you bloated?
3. Mood – Are you less irritable? Less snappy?
4. Skin- See any glow up?

You can absolutely track your energy. Start a “carnivore diary.” Write down how you feel every couple of days, and take weekly progress pictures to monitor any and all bodily changes. 

8. Be Ready for Social Situations 

Your eating habits have drastically changed. Get ready for the dreaded, “So..you’re only eating meat?”

Whether you’re out with friends or at a backyard BBQ, remember that the carnivore diet takes a little prep.

Here are a few hacks to make it easier:

Restaurants? Order steak, burgers (no buns), bacon, and eggs. Easy carnivore diet choices.

Traveling – Depending on how and where? Carry your own snacks. Jerky, hard-boiled eggs, and canned salmon are a few good options.

Explaining yourself? Keep it simple. “ I am trying out the carnivore diet.”

Most importantly, don’t be a downer. Focus on what you can eat, not what you can’t. This one of the most important tips on the carnivore diet.  

9. Understand That Healing Takes Time

We live in a world of instant gratification. Amazon Prime, 7-day detox juices…so I get it. You want and expect immediate results. 

Sadly, that’s not how the carnivore diet works. Real healing isn’t instant. 

Whether you are trying the carnivore diet for gut health, hormonal balance, or weight loss, this is likely to be a marathon. Not a 3-day cleanse. 

It can take weeks, if not months, to get all these carnivore diet benefits, including weight loss, inflammation, and stress relief. 

And it will be well worth it because the results will snowball.

One day, you’ll wake up and your skin feels better, your jeans fit better, and your brain feels a little sharper. 

10. Find a Community or Support System 

Let’s be real for a minute- eating meat only while a lot of fun, can feel a little alienating when your friends are sipping matcha and posting some colorful salads.

That’s why it is important to have a community. 

• You can try Reddit ( r/carnivorediet)
• Facebook groups
• Instagram and TikTok (look up #carnivorediet)
• YouTube – some creators share awesome, detailed “what I eat in a day on the Carnivore diet.”

And well, we have a few resources on this very blog to help you out. Including: carnivore diet food list, carnivore diet shopping list, carnivore diet for women, and much more.

Final Thoughts on Must-Know Tips on the Carnivore Diet

Starting the carnivore diet can definitely feel intimidating. These top carnivore diet tips for your first time on the carnivore diet are exactly what you need to push through that rocky first phase and eventually enjoy all the carnivore diet benefits.