What a Carnitarian Cannot Eat on This Exclusive Diet

December 27, 2025 •

3 min read

The term 'carnitarian' is sometimes used, though not a widely recognized medical term, to describe a person who follows an all-meat diet but specifically excludes fish and seafood. This highly restrictive eating pattern focuses solely on land-based animal products, creating a clear list of foods to avoid.

Quick Summary

A carnitarian diet excludes all plant-based foods, seafood, and shellfish. The focus is exclusively on meat, poultry, and land animal byproducts, leading to significant restrictions compared to other diets.

Key Points

All Plants are Restricted: A carnitarian avoids all plant-based foods, including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
No Seafood or Fish: A key distinction is the complete exclusion of all aquatic animal life, including fish and shellfish.
Limited Dairy is Controversial: Some follow a pure 'meat and water' approach, while others allow limited amounts of low-lactose dairy products like butter or certain cheeses.
Focus on Land Animal Products: The diet exclusively emphasizes land-based meats, poultry, and animal byproducts such as fat and eggs.
Potential for Nutrient Deficiencies: Eliminating entire food groups can lead to a lack of certain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.

Core Restrictions: All Plant-Based Foods Are Off-Limits

At the heart of the carnitarian diet's restrictions is the complete elimination of all plant-based foods. This goes beyond simply avoiding fruits and vegetables; it means every single item derived from a plant is forbidden. This is a fundamental difference between a carnitarian diet and other popular low-carb or paleo diets that may allow some plant foods. For a carnitarian, anything that grows from the ground or a tree is strictly forbidden.

The Complete List of Excluded Plant-Based Foods

Vegetables: This includes all types of vegetables, whether leafy greens, root vegetables, or cruciferous varieties. Common foods like broccoli, spinach, carrots, potatoes, and onions are all off the table. Even traditionally accepted low-carb options, like avocados and peppers, are not allowed.
Fruits: All fruits, including berries, apples, bananas, and citrus, are prohibited. This is because all fruits are high in carbohydrates, which proponents of this diet aim to avoid.
Grains: Grains and grain-based products are completely excluded. This means no bread, pasta, rice, oats, quinoa, or corn.
Legumes: Beans, lentils, peanuts, and peas are all part of the forbidden list.
Nuts and Seeds: All nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts) and seeds (chia, flax, pumpkin) are excluded.
Spices and Herbs: While some followers might bend the rules, strict carnitarians avoid most spices and herbs, as they are derived from plants. The exception is typically salt.
Sugars and Sweeteners: Any form of sugar, including honey (produced from plant nectar) and maple syrup, is excluded. Artificial sweeteners are also generally avoided.

Specific Restriction: No Fish or Seafood

An important distinguishing factor of a carnitarian is the intentional exclusion of all fish and seafood. This is a key difference from a standard carnivore diet, which typically includes marine life. The motivations for avoiding fish and seafood often relate to concerns about environmental toxins like mercury and microplastics that can accumulate in seafood.

Examples of Excluded Seafood

Fish: All fish are restricted, including common types like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and trout.
Shellfish: Crustaceans and mollusks such as shrimp, crab, lobster, oysters, clams, and mussels are all strictly off-limits.

Controversial Inclusions: Limited Dairy and Processed Meats

Some versions of the carnitarian diet allow small amounts of low-lactose dairy, while others do not. Similarly, attitudes toward processed meats vary depending on the purity of the ingredients. For a strict interpretation, only fresh, whole animal products are acceptable.

Comparison: Carnitarian vs. Standard Carnivore Diet


Feature	Carnitarian Diet	Standard Carnivore Diet
Core Focus	Land-based animal products only (meat, poultry, eggs, some dairy).	All animal products (meat, poultry, eggs, fish, seafood, some dairy).
Seafood	Explicitly excludes all fish and seafood.	Includes all types of fish and seafood.
Motivation	Often motivated by concerns over environmental toxins in seafood, like mercury and microplastics.	Primarily focused on excluding all plant-based foods for purported health benefits.
Nutritional Profile	Relies on land animals and organ meats for essential vitamins and minerals.	A wider range of nutrients from including fish and seafood (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids).
Flexibility	Highly restrictive, with a very limited food list.	Still highly restrictive, but includes one more major food group (seafood).

Conclusion: The Extensive List of Forbidden Foods

For those wondering what a carnitarian cannot eat, the answer is extensive and covers almost everything not derived from a land-based animal, and specifically excludes fish and seafood. All vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and nuts are completely forbidden, a characteristic shared with the more well-known carnivore diet. The defining exclusion, however, is the complete removal of all aquatic life, including fish, shellfish, and other seafood. Individuals considering this diet should be fully aware of the nutritional implications of such a restrictive eating plan, including the potential for missing key nutrients and fiber found in eliminated food groups. Consulting a healthcare professional before adopting such a restrictive diet is highly recommended.

More information on the carnivore diet can be found here:

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a carnitarian, like a carnivore dieter, cannot eat any vegetables. The diet strictly prohibits all plant-based foods, including leafy greens, root vegetables, and all other produce.

No, fish is not allowed. The primary distinction of a carnitarian is the intentional avoidance of all fish and seafood, often due to concerns over environmental contaminants.

No, fruit is not permitted on a carnitarian diet. As with all plant-based foods, all fruits, including berries and other low-carb options, are excluded.

Yes, all grains, legumes (like beans and peanuts), and nuts are completely restricted. The diet focuses exclusively on animal-sourced foods.

For purists, coffee and tea are not allowed as they are derived from plants. Some less strict followers might consume them, but the core diet restricts all plant-based beverages other than water.

Dairy is a grey area. Some followers include limited amounts of low-lactose products like butter or hard cheese, while strict adherents avoid it completely.

It depends on the strictness. Many carnitarians avoid processed meats with additives and fillers. They prefer simple, unprocessed meats with only salt and pepper for seasoning.