How many carbs a day on a ketovore diet? Your complete guide

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

A standard ketogenic diet typically limits carbs to under 50g per day. Understanding how many carbs a day on a ketovore diet is crucial, as this hybrid approach is often more restrictive than standard keto, blending principles of both ketogenic and carnivore diets.

Quick Summary

The ketovore diet merges elements of keto and carnivore, focusing heavily on animal products with a stricter net carb limit than standard keto, prioritizing ketosis with fewer plant-based foods.

Key Points

Ketovore Carb Limit: The daily net carb limit is typically stricter than standard keto, often aimed at under 20 grams.
Net Carbs Matter: Focus on net carbs (total carbs minus fiber), as fiber does not impact blood sugar like other carbohydrates.
Animal-Based Focus: The diet prioritizes animal products, with limited, low-carb plant foods used primarily for flavor.
Higher Protein Intake: Ketovore includes more protein than standard keto, which aids in satiety and is generally not an issue for ketosis at very low carb levels.
Find Your Threshold: The exact carb amount for ketosis varies per person based on activity level and metabolism; monitoring your response is key.
Hybrid Approach: It is a blend of the ketogenic and carnivore diets, offering a more flexible option than carnivore while remaining very low-carb.

What is a ketovore diet?

As a middle ground between the restrictive carnivore diet and the more inclusive standard ketogenic diet, the ketovore approach focuses primarily on animal products with the occasional inclusion of low-carb plant foods. A true carnivore diet consists solely of meat and animal products, while a standard keto diet allows for a wider array of low-carb vegetables, nuts, and seeds, provided they fall within the daily carbohydrate limit.

Ketovore dieters aim for a high-fat, high-protein intake, with the main objective of staying in ketosis—a metabolic state where the body burns fat for fuel instead of glucose. This is achieved by severely restricting carbohydrates, but the specific carb limit is a key differentiator from standard keto.

Ketovore carb limits: A closer look

Because the ketovore diet is inherently more restrictive and meat-focused than traditional keto, the carb intake is typically lower. While a standard keto diet may allow up to 50 grams of net carbs per day for some individuals, ketovore followers often aim for the stricter end of the low-carb spectrum, usually less than 20 grams of net carbs per day.

Net carbs vs. total carbs

When tracking carbohydrates on a ketovore diet, the focus is on net carbs. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the fiber and any sugar alcohols from the total carbohydrates listed on a food label. This is because fiber is not digested by the body and does not impact blood sugar levels in the same way as other carbohydrates.

For example:

Total Carbs: 10 grams
Dietary Fiber: 5 grams
Net Carbs: 5 grams

Individual variability and finding your threshold

It is important to remember that the exact amount of carbs needed to maintain ketosis can vary from person to person. Several factors influence your personal carbohydrate tolerance:

Activity level: Active individuals can often tolerate slightly more carbs without exiting ketosis, as their bodies use up glucose more efficiently.
Body composition: People with more muscle mass may have higher carb tolerances.
Metabolic health: Insulin resistance can lower your carbohydrate threshold.

Experimenting with your carb intake, starting with the 20-gram target, and using blood ketone testing can help you determine your personal limit.

Ketovore vs. Keto: A carb and food comparison


Feature	Ketovore Diet	Standard Ketogenic Diet
Carb Limit (Net)	Typically under 20g/day	20-50g/day
Plant Foods	Severely limited (some herbs, spices, leafy greens)	A variety of low-carb vegetables, nuts, and seeds allowed
Animal Foods	Prioritized (meat, eggs, fish)	Key component, but balanced with plant fats
Primary Focus	Higher protein, lower fat than standard keto, with an animal-based foundation	High fat, moderate protein, with diverse keto-friendly foods

Food choices to stay on track

To stay within the strict carb limits of a ketovore diet, focus on a core list of approved foods, primarily from animal sources.

Meats: Beef, lamb, pork, poultry.
Fish and Seafood: Salmon, cod, shrimp, sardines.
Eggs and Animal Fats: A staple for protein and fat.
Dairy: High-fat, low-carb dairy like butter, hard cheeses, and heavy cream can be included.
Limited Plant Foods:
- Herbs and Spices: Flavoring is typically allowed, but check for hidden carbs.
- Leafy Greens: Small servings of spinach or lettuce might be included.

The higher protein consideration

Unlike the standard ketogenic diet, which moderates protein intake to avoid gluconeogenesis (the conversion of protein to glucose), the ketovore diet tends to be higher in protein. While a high-protein intake can technically impact ketosis, for most individuals who are active and maintaining a very low-carb intake, this is not a significant concern. The satiating effect of protein can help with appetite control, which is a major benefit of the diet.

Conclusion

In summary, the number of carbs on a ketovore diet is typically stricter than on a standard keto diet, with most followers aiming for under 20 grams of net carbs per day. The diet prioritizes animal products and restricts plant foods, allowing only minimal amounts of low-carb options like leafy greens and herbs for flavor. For those seeking the benefits of ketosis while emphasizing an animal-based diet, a ketovore approach offers a path that lies between the flexibility of keto and the rigidity of carnivore. Individual testing and monitoring are recommended to find your personal carb threshold for maintaining ketosis.

For more information on the standard ketogenic diet and how it compares, consult this detailed beginner's guide from Healthline(https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101).

Resources and further reading

To deepen your understanding of the different low-carb approaches, explore reputable sources that compare diet variations and provide guidance on macronutrient calculation. Websites with specific keto and carnivore content, along with educational platforms, can be invaluable.

How to get started on a ketovore diet

Beginning a ketovore diet requires planning and a focus on food quality. Start by gradually reducing high-carb plant foods and replacing them with fatty animal products. Learning how to track net carbs and adjusting your protein intake are key steps. Paying attention to your body's response, especially during the initial transition period, is crucial for success.

Plan your meals around fatty cuts of meat, eggs, and fish.
Keep it simple by not overcomplicating meals with multiple ingredients.
Hydrate adequately and consider supplementing electrolytes, especially in the beginning.
Listen to your body and adjust your carb intake based on your energy levels and how you feel.

Following these guidelines will set you up for a successful transition to the ketovore lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference is the strictness of the limit. Standard keto allows 20-50 grams of net carbs daily, while ketovore is more restrictive, often aiming for fewer than 20 grams to focus on animal-based foods.

While excessive protein can be converted to glucose (gluconeogenesis), this is typically not a concern for most ketovore adherents who maintain a very low carb intake. The high protein intake is often more satiating.

Yes, but in very limited quantities. The ketovore diet allows for small amounts of low-carb plant foods like leafy greens, herbs, and spices, unlike the zero-carb carnivore diet.

To calculate net carbs, take the total carbohydrates from a food item and subtract the grams of dietary fiber. This provides the number that counts toward your daily limit.

For those not familiar with low-carb eating, starting with a standard keto diet may offer more flexibility before transitioning to the stricter ketovore approach. It is advisable to consult a doctor before starting any restrictive diet.

Good fat sources include animal fats like butter, lard, and tallow, as well as fatty cuts of meat and fish like salmon. Some dairy and avocados can also be included.

While anecdotal evidence suggests potentially faster initial weight loss due to water loss and simplicity, long-term results depend on individual adherence and metabolism. Both are effective for fat burning.

Ketosis is a metabolic state where your body burns fat for energy due to a lack of available carbohydrates. The ketovore diet is specifically designed to induce and maintain this metabolic state by severely restricting carbs.