What are the three types of carnivore diet?

According to anecdotal reports from many adherents, the carnivore diet has numerous potential benefits, but the term itself can be misleading as there isn't just one version. To follow this animal-based eating plan effectively, it's essential to understand what are the three types of carnivore diet that practitioners commonly follow: the Lion Diet, the standard Carnivore Diet, and the Ketovore diet.

Quick Summary

The carnivore diet is not a single eating plan but a spectrum of animal-based approaches, including the highly restrictive Lion Diet, the flexible standard Carnivore Diet, and the hybrid Ketovore diet.

Key Points

• Lion Diet: The most restrictive carnivore protocol, consisting only of ruminant meat, salt, and water, often used for intense elimination.

• Standard Carnivore Diet: A more flexible plan that includes all meats, fish, eggs, and sometimes full-fat or low-lactose dairy.

• Ketovore Diet: A hybrid approach that combines a meat-heavy, keto-focused diet with small amounts of low-carb plant foods like avocados and leafy greens.

• Goals Determine Type: The choice of carnivore diet depends on your objectives, from aggressive autoimmune elimination (Lion) to long-term sustainability (Standard) or flexibility (Ketovore).

• Fat and Protein Sources: All types emphasize high fat and protein intake from animal sources, including organ meats and animal fats, to achieve ketosis and satiety.

• Consult a Professional: Due to the restrictive nature, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial before starting, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions.

Understanding the Core Philosophy

At its heart, the carnivore diet is an elimination diet focused exclusively on animal-based products. It removes all plant-based foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and grains, with variations depending on the type. The central philosophy is that eliminating potentially inflammatory or problematic plant compounds can resolve health issues and promote wellness. This focus on high-protein and high-fat animal products puts the body into a state of ketosis, similar to a standard ketogenic diet, but with an even stricter set of food rules. Adherents consume meat, fish, eggs, and sometimes specific types of dairy, using animal fats like tallow or lard for cooking.

The Three Main Approaches

Understanding the nuanced differences between the three primary versions of this diet is crucial for anyone considering the lifestyle. Each offers a different level of flexibility and can be used for specific purposes, such as an aggressive elimination protocol or a sustainable long-term plan.

Type 1: The Lion Diet

This is the most restrictive form of the carnivore diet, often used as a temporary, intense elimination protocol. The goal of the Lion Diet is to strip the food plan down to its absolute bare essentials to identify and eliminate all potential food sensitivities or inflammatory triggers. It is especially popular with individuals experiencing severe autoimmune or inflammatory conditions.

What the Lion Diet includes:

• Ruminant meats: Primarily beef, lamb, and goat.
• Salt: To help with electrolyte balance.
• Water: For hydration.

What the Lion Diet excludes:

• All other meats (pork, chicken, fish).
• All dairy products.
• Eggs.
• Spices and herbs.

Type 2: The Standard Carnivore Diet

The standard carnivore diet is a more inclusive and flexible version of the all-animal eating plan. It allows for a wider variety of animal products, making it a more sustainable option for many people who find the Lion Diet too restrictive for long-term adherence. This version promotes the consumption of nutrient-dense animal foods from nose-to-tail, including organ meats.

What the standard Carnivore Diet includes:

• Meat: All types of red meat, poultry, and pork.
• Seafood: A wide range of fish and shellfish.
• Eggs: Chicken, duck, and quail eggs are typically allowed.
• Organ meats: Liver, kidneys, heart, and other nutrient-dense organs.
• Dairy: Some followers include low-lactose or full-fat dairy, such as hard cheese, butter, and heavy cream.
• Animal Fats: Tallow, lard, and ghee for cooking.
• Salt and pepper: Basic seasoning is generally accepted.

Type 3: The Ketovore Diet

This hybrid diet combines elements of the ketogenic diet with the carnivore diet, offering the most flexibility. The primary goal is to maintain a state of ketosis by consuming high-fat, low-carb animal products, while also incorporating small amounts of specific low-carbohydrate plant foods. This is a good option for those who are fat-adapted but don't want to completely eliminate all plant-based items.

What the Ketovore Diet includes:

• All foods from the standard carnivore diet.
• Low-carb plant foods: Small quantities of items like avocados, olives, and certain leafy greens.
• Specific beverages: Some followers include plain coffee and tea.

What the Ketovore Diet excludes:

• High-carb fruits, starchy vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, except for specific low-carb choices.

Comparison of Carnivore Diet Types

Feature	Lion Diet	Standard Carnivore	Ketovore Diet
Food Inclusions	Ruminant meat, salt, water	All meats, fish, eggs, some dairy	All standard carnivore foods + select low-carb plants
Restrictions	Extremely high; removes most animal products and all plants	High; removes all plant products	Moderate; allows some plant-based foods
Goal	Intense elimination protocol for autoimmune issues	Sustainable long-term animal-based eating	Hybrid approach for metabolic flexibility
Flexibility	Very low	Moderate	Highest among the three
Dairy	Excluded	Optional; low-lactose or full-fat	Optional; low-lactose or full-fat
Plant Foods	Excluded	Excluded	Small amounts of low-carb vegetables and fruits

Choosing the Right Carnivore Diet Type

Selecting the right version of the carnivore diet depends entirely on your personal health goals and current state of wellness. If you are dealing with chronic inflammation, severe autoimmune issues, or unexplained food sensitivities, a temporary and strict protocol like the Lion Diet might be the most effective starting point. The purity of this diet can offer a clean slate to determine what foods cause reactions. After an elimination phase, you can carefully reintroduce foods to gauge your body's response, which is a common practice for those on the Lion Diet.

For those seeking a more balanced and sustainable, long-term approach to a low-carb, animal-based lifestyle, the standard Carnivore Diet is an excellent option. Its broader range of acceptable animal products, including diverse meats, eggs, and potentially dairy, makes it a richer and more varied diet. This version is often praised for its simplicity and the feeling of satiety it provides.

Finally, the Ketovore diet provides a gentle transition and more lifestyle flexibility. It's a great choice for individuals who want the benefits of ketosis and an animal-based diet but don't want to completely give up all plant-based foods. The addition of things like avocados or leafy greens can provide extra fiber and micronutrients, offering a bridge between a strict carnivore approach and a more general ketogenic lifestyle. This is particularly appealing for those who appreciate some plant-based flavor and texture variety while still prioritizing fat and protein for energy.

Important Considerations

No matter which type of carnivore diet you choose, it is important to remember that these are restrictive eating plans that should be considered carefully. The long-term effects are not fully understood by the scientific community, and potential nutrient deficiencies can occur if not managed properly. Followers often prioritize organ meats, bone broth, and fatty cuts to ensure a more balanced nutritional profile. Always consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before starting any restrictive diet to ensure it aligns with your individual health needs and history. This is particularly critical for those with pre-existing conditions like kidney disease or diabetes. For more information on the potential risks and benefits, the book The Carnivore Diet by Shawn Baker offers a popular perspective and resource.

Conclusion

While the concept of the carnivore diet might sound singular, it encompasses three distinct variations designed for different goals and levels of commitment. From the ultra-restrictive Lion Diet used for focused elimination, to the sustainable standard Carnivore Diet, and the more flexible Ketovore hybrid, there is a clear spectrum of approaches. Understanding what are the three types of carnivore diet allows individuals to make an informed choice that best suits their health and lifestyle, ensuring they can navigate this popular eating plan with clarity and purpose.

[Shawn Baker's Resources: https://www.shawn-baker.com/]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Lion Diet and the standard Carnivore Diet?

The Lion Diet is a much stricter, temporary elimination diet that only allows ruminant meat (like beef and lamb), salt, and water. The standard Carnivore Diet is a more sustainable, long-term plan that includes all types of meat, fish, eggs, and sometimes dairy.

Can you eat fruits and vegetables on a Ketovore diet?

On a Ketovore diet, you can consume small, limited amounts of very low-carbohydrate plant foods, such as avocados, olives, and leafy greens. High-carb fruits and starchy vegetables are typically excluded.

Is the carnivore diet sustainable for long-term health?

While many followers claim long-term success, experts and some health sources note that due to its restrictive nature, the diet can be difficult to sustain and may lead to potential nutrient deficiencies if not carefully planned. Professional medical advice is recommended.

What are the benefits of trying the Lion Diet?

The Lion Diet is often used as a highly effective elimination protocol for individuals with severe autoimmune conditions or food sensitivities. Its simplicity helps to reset the body and identify problem foods by removing all common irritants.

Is dairy allowed on any carnivore diet?

Dairy is excluded on the strict Lion Diet. However, the standard Carnivore and Ketovore diets may include low-lactose or high-fat dairy options like hard cheeses, butter, and heavy cream, depending on individual tolerance.

Do you need to count carbs on the Ketovore diet?

While not as strict as a standard ketogenic diet, the Ketovore diet still focuses on maintaining ketosis, so monitoring carbohydrate intake from the limited plant foods is necessary to stay in that metabolic state.

What are organ meats and why are they important on the carnivore diet?

Organ meats, such as liver and kidney, are the most nutrient-dense foods within the animal kingdom. Including them on a carnivore or Ketovore diet is important to help fill potential nutritional gaps and provide essential vitamins and minerals otherwise found in plants.