What Drinks Are Carnivore Diet Friendly?

Over 54% of Americans drink coffee daily, a beverage often debated within the carnivore community. Sticking to a meat-only regimen requires careful consideration of every item consumed, including what you drink. Understanding what drinks are carnivore diet friendly is crucial for success and avoiding hidden carbs or plant-based compounds that can disrupt your dietary goals.

Quick Summary

The carnivore diet prioritizes animal products and excludes plants, meaning beverages must be chosen carefully to avoid carbs and additives. Key options include water, bone broth, and certain low-lactose dairy, while coffee, tea, and alcohol are often avoided. Electrolyte intake is also important for maintaining hydration.

Key Points

• Water is a priority: Plain filtered, mineral, or sparkling water is the cornerstone of carnivore diet hydration.

• Electrolytes are essential: Low-carb eating increases the need for electrolytes; add sea salt to water to replenish sodium.

• Bone broth is liquid gold: Homemade bone broth provides collagen, amino acids, and minerals for gut and joint health.

• Dairy is a gray area: Heavy cream and butter are low-lactose options for those who tolerate dairy, while milk is generally avoided.

• Coffee and tea are debated: Strict carnivores avoid these plant-based drinks, while others consume them based on personal tolerance and goals.

• Avoid all sugary and plant-based drinks: Soda, fruit juice, and alcohol are not compliant and should be completely avoided.

Your Core Hydration: Water and Electrolytes

On the carnivore diet, your primary source of hydration is water, and you'll likely need more of it. The diet's low-carb nature, similar to a ketogenic approach, means the body loses more water and essential minerals, or electrolytes. Filtered water is recommended to avoid contaminants like chlorine that can be present in tap water. For those who prefer some variety, plain sparkling water without any added flavors or sweeteners is a compliant alternative.

Why Hydration and Electrolytes are Crucial

Maintaining proper hydration and electrolyte balance is vital for everyone, but especially for those on a carnivore diet. The initial phase, sometimes called 'keto flu' for those transitioning from high-carb diets, can bring symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps, often caused by electrolyte imbalance. Replenishing sodium, potassium, and magnesium is key to mitigating these side effects. Many carnivore dieters add a pinch of sea salt, such as Himalayan pink salt, to their water throughout the day to boost their sodium intake. There are also carnivore-friendly electrolyte supplements available, provided they are unflavored and free of plant-based ingredients or sugars.

The Nutrient-Dense Option: Bone Broth

Bone broth is a staple for many on the carnivore diet, acting as both a nourishing drink and a valuable culinary base. Made by simmering animal bones, it's packed with nutrients that can aid in overall wellness. Homemade bone broth is the best choice to ensure no plant-based ingredients like onions or carrots are used, which often appear in commercial varieties.

Benefits of Including Bone Broth

• Joint and Skin Health: Rich in collagen, bone broth supports healthy joints and skin elasticity.
• Gut Healing: The amino acids in bone broth are beneficial for gut health.
• Mineral-Rich: It provides a great source of minerals and electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
• Satiety: The satisfying richness of bone broth can help manage appetite between meals.

Dairy and Zero-Carb Alternatives

While strict carnivore dieters may avoid all dairy due to lactose content, some variations allow for minimal, low-lactose options. For those with dairy tolerance, these can add variety and healthy fats to the diet.

• Heavy Cream: With its low lactose and high-fat content, heavy cream is often used in moderation in coffee or recipes by carnivore dieters.
• Butter and Ghee: Both are excellent sources of healthy animal fats and contain virtually no carbohydrates. Ghee, in particular, is clarified butter with even less lactose, making it a safe choice for most.
• Fat-Based Drinks: 'Bulletproof' style drinks with butter or ghee blended into black coffee can provide a boost of energy and fat.
• Egg Yolk Smoothies: For a dairy-free, animal-based shake, some blend fresh egg yolks with water and protein powder.

The Great Debate: Coffee and Tea

The inclusion of coffee and tea is a point of contention within the carnivore community. Both come from plants, a core exclusion of the diet.

The Strict Viewpoint

Strict carnivore adherents, especially those on a zero-carb approach, avoid all plant-based items, including coffee and tea. They believe that even minimal plant compounds like mycotoxins can be detrimental and prefer to avoid them completely.

The Lenient Viewpoint

Other followers allow for plain, black coffee or certain herbal teas, citing their low-carb nature and potential health benefits. High-quality, mold-free coffee is often recommended for those who choose to include it. Herbal teas like peppermint or chamomile are sometimes included by less restrictive carnivores. Personal tolerance is the key factor here, and individuals should monitor their own reactions.

Comparison of Carnivore-Friendly Drinks

Drink	Carbohydrates	Strict Carnivore Compliance	Notes
Filtered Water	0g	Yes	Essential for hydration.
Sparkling Water	0g	Yes (plain)	Good alternative for fizz, choose unflavored.
Bone Broth	<1g	Yes	Excellent source of collagen, minerals, and amino acids.
Heavy Cream	Low	Generally (in moderation)	Acceptable for some, high in fat, minimal carbs.
Black Coffee	<1g	Debated	Some tolerate it, others avoid due to plant origins.
Herbal Tea	<1g	No (strictly) / Debated	Plant-based, often avoided by strict followers.
Milk (cow)	High (lactose)	No	High in milk sugars (lactose), generally avoided.
Alcohol	High (sugar) / Variable	No	Generally avoided due to sugars and non-compliant processing.

Beverages to Avoid

To maintain strict adherence to the carnivore diet, many beverages must be avoided entirely:

• Soda: Both regular and diet versions contain sweeteners, additives, and no nutritional value.
• Fruit Juice: High in fruit sugar (fructose), which is a carbohydrate and off-limits.
• Energy Drinks: Loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other non-carnivore ingredients.
• Alcohol: Made from grains or fruits, contains sugar, and can disrupt metabolism.

Conclusion

Staying hydrated is paramount for success on the carnivore diet, and your beverage options, while seemingly limited, are functional and nutrient-rich. Plain water and homemade bone broth form the foundation of a carnivore-compliant drinking regimen, providing essential hydration, minerals, and healing compounds. For those with dairy tolerance, small amounts of heavy cream and butter can be included. While coffee and herbal tea remain a personal choice based on individual strictness, alcohol, soda, and fruit juices should be eliminated completely. By focusing on these core principles, you can stay optimally hydrated and on track with your carnivore lifestyle. For more information on the carnivore diet, explore resources like Healthline.

Your Complete Carnivore Diet Beverage Guide

Practical Beverage List

• Filtered Water
• Mineral Water (with added sea salt)
• Bone Broth (homemade from animal bones)
• Heavy Cream (optional, high-fat, low-carb)
• Butter/Ghee (optional, added to drinks like black coffee)
• Black Coffee (optional, personal tolerance)

Beverages to Avoid

• Soda
• Fruit Juice
• Energy Drinks
• Herbal Tea (for strict followers)
• Milk
• Alcohol

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your beverage choices support rather than undermine your carnivore diet goals.

What Drinks Are Carnivore Diet Friendly?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink black coffee on the carnivore diet?

The inclusion of black coffee on the carnivore diet is debated. As a plant product, strict carnivores avoid it, while others consume it due to its low-carb nature. Tolerance is personal, so listen to your body and opt for high-quality, mold-free coffee if you choose to include it.

Why is bone broth recommended on a carnivore diet?

Bone broth is highly recommended because it's rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals that support joint health, gut healing, and overall well-being. It's a nutrient-dense, warm, and satisfying drink.

Can I have milk on the carnivore diet?

Standard cow's milk is not typically recommended on the carnivore diet because it contains lactose, a milk sugar that can add carbohydrates. Most carnivores prefer heavy cream or butter for their higher fat and lower carbohydrate content.

Are diet sodas or sugar-free drinks allowed?

No, both regular and diet sodas are not allowed on the carnivore diet. They contain artificial sweeteners and other additives that go against the diet's focus on simple, whole animal products.

Do I need to worry about electrolytes on a carnivore diet?

Yes, proper electrolyte balance is very important, especially when transitioning to the diet. The low-carb nature can cause the body to lose more sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Adding a pinch of sea salt to water is a common practice to help replenish these minerals.

What is the best way to stay hydrated on a carnivore diet?

The best way to stay hydrated is by drinking plenty of plain water, preferably filtered. Including bone broth and adding sea salt to your water can also help maintain fluid balance and provide essential electrolytes.

Can I drink herbal tea on a carnivore diet?

Herbal teas are plant-based and are therefore avoided by strict carnivore dieters. Some more lenient followers may tolerate certain types like peppermint or chamomile, but it is a personal decision and depends on individual goals.