Carnivore Diet Rules: The Complete Do’s and Don’ts

The carnivore diet follows one fundamental rule: eat animal foods and eliminate everything else. In practice, this means your plate consists of meat, fish, eggs, and animal fats while all plant foods — vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds — are removed. The simplicity is the point. Unlike most diets that require counting, measuring, and calculating, the carnivore diet gives you a clear binary: it came from an animal, or it did not.

What Are the Core Rules of the Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet has fewer rules than any other way of eating. That is its greatest strength and what makes it sustainable long-term. Here are the non-negotiables:

Always allowed:

• All ruminant meats (beef, lamb, bison, elk, venison)
• Pork, poultry, and game meats
• Fish and shellfish
• Eggs
• Animal fats (tallow, lard, butter, ghee, duck fat)
• Salt
• Water

The one universal rule: If it did not come from an animal, do not eat it. That includes plant oils, grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and all processed foods.

This single rule eliminates the need for calorie counting, macro tracking, and meal timing debates. You eat animal foods when you are hungry, stop when you are full, and repeat. For a comprehensive beginner walkthrough, see our carnivore diet for beginners guide.

What Are the Different Strictness Levels?

Not everyone follows the same version of the carnivore diet. Understanding the four main levels helps you choose the right approach for your situation.

The Lion Diet (Strictest)

The lion diet limits you to ruminant meat (primarily beef), salt, and water. That is it. No eggs, no pork, no poultry, no fish, no dairy, no coffee. This approach was popularized by Mikhaila Peterson as an extreme elimination protocol for people with severe autoimmune conditions. It is not meant to be followed forever for most people — it is a starting point for identifying food sensitivities. Learn more in our lion diet guide.

Strict Carnivore

Strict carnivore includes all animal foods but excludes everything else. This means all meats, fish, eggs, and animal fats are on the table, but coffee, spices, and dairy remain off-limits. This is the approach most carnivore advocates recommend for your first 30 to 90 days.

Relaxed Carnivore

Relaxed carnivore includes dairy products (butter, cheese, cream, ghee), coffee, and sometimes basic seasonings like pepper. Most long-term carnivore dieters settle into this level. The key is that the additions do not cause symptoms or cravings.

Animal-Based

The animal-based approach, popularized by Paul Saladino, adds select plant foods like fruit, honey, and raw dairy to a meat-focused diet. This is technically no longer carnivore, but it shares the same foundation. For a detailed comparison, read our breakdown of animal-based diet vs carnivore.

What Foods Are Not Allowed on the Carnivore Diet?

This list is long because it covers everything that is not an animal food:

• All vegetables — yes, even the “healthy” ones like broccoli and spinach
• All fruits — including berries, avocados, and tomatoes
• All grains — bread, rice, pasta, oats, corn
• All legumes — beans, lentils, peanuts, soy
• All nuts and seeds — almonds, walnuts, chia, flax
• All plant oils — olive oil, coconut oil, canola, sunflower
• All sweeteners — sugar, maple syrup, stevia, artificial sweeteners
• All processed foods — chips, crackers, protein bars
• Plant-derived beverages — juice, soda, beer, wine, tea

The reasoning is straightforward. Plants contain defense chemicals (oxalates, lectins, phytates, goitrogens) that can cause inflammation and gut irritation in sensitive individuals. By removing all plants, you create a clean baseline for your body.

What Are the Most Common Rule-Breaking Mistakes?

Even people committed to carnivore make these errors without realizing it:

1. Sneaky plant ingredients. Many “animal” products contain hidden plant additives. Sausages often have fillers, dextrose, or sugar. Pre-made burger patties may contain breadcrumbs. Deli meats frequently include corn syrup. Always read labels and choose single-ingredient meats when possible.

2. Cooking with plant oils. If you order a steak at a restaurant, it may be cooked in vegetable oil or finished with an herb butter containing plant ingredients. Cook with butter, tallow, or lard instead. At restaurants, ask for your food cooked in butter.

3. Condiments and sauces. Ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, and hot sauce are all plant-based and often loaded with sugar. On strict carnivore, your only condiment is salt. Some relaxed carnivore followers use hot sauce, but check the ingredients.

4. Coffee as a crutch. While debated, coffee is technically a plant product. More importantly, many people use it as an appetite suppressant, which leads to under-eating — one of the most common carnivore diet mistakes. If you include coffee, drink it black and make sure it does not replace meals.

5. “Carnivore-ish” processed foods. Pork rinds, beef jerky, and protein powders might seem carnivore-friendly, but many brands add sugar, soy, and other plant ingredients. Stick to whole animal foods.

How Do You Keep the Carnivore Diet Simple?

The beauty of carnivore is its simplicity. Do not overcomplicate it. Here is how to keep things easy:

Stock three staples. Ground beef, eggs, and butter will carry you through any day. If you always have these on hand, you always have a meal. Ground beef is affordable, versatile, and nutritious — it is the foundation of many carnivore meal plans.

Do not overthink meals. A pound of ground beef with salt is a complete meal. Two ribeyes and some eggs is a full day of eating. You do not need recipes, variety, or complicated preparation. Many long-term carnivore dieters eat the same few meals repeatedly and feel great.

Salt everything. One of the most overlooked rules is adequate salt intake. When you cut carbohydrates, your kidneys excrete more sodium. Most carnivore dieters need 5 to 7 grams of salt per day, especially during adaptation. Learn more about salt on the carnivore diet.

Eat enough. Under-eating is more common than overeating on carnivore, especially in the first month. Eat until you are genuinely satisfied. If you are hungry between meals, eat more at meals. Your appetite will regulate naturally over time.

Give it 30 days. The biggest rule of all is commitment. The first two weeks involve significant metabolic adaptation and are not representative of how you will feel long-term. Many people quit during the adjustment period and never experience the full benefits of the carnivore diet. Commit to 30 days minimum before evaluating.

Should You Track Your Food on the Carnivore Diet?

This depends on your goals. For the first 30 days, many people benefit from tracking to ensure they are eating enough — not to restrict, but to confirm adequate intake. A food tracking app designed for carnivore can help you see your protein and fat ratios without the overwhelm of traditional calorie counting.

After the adaptation period, most carnivore dieters transition to intuitive eating. Your hunger and satiety signals become remarkably accurate when you are only eating whole animal foods. Learn more about how to track the carnivore diet effectively.

For a complete breakdown of daily eating, check out our carnivore diet meal plan. And if you want to understand the deeper science behind why this way of eating works, start with what the carnivore diet actually is.

For more educational content on the carnivore lifestyle, visit our complete carnivore diet guide.