What is an animal-based diet called?

January 1, 2026 •

6 min read

According to a 2024 study, proponents of animal-based eating report beneficial effects from the diet, which has grown in popularity via social media and wellness influencers. The simplest term for a diet consisting exclusively of animal products is the carnivore diet, though an "animal-based" diet itself is a broader category with some key distinctions.

Quick Summary

This article explains the terminology and different forms of animal-based diets, distinguishing between the strict Carnivore diet, also known as a Zero Carb diet, and the more flexible approach popularized as the animal-based diet, which includes some fruits and honey. The benefits, risks, and food lists for these dietary patterns are covered.

Key Points

The Carnivore diet is a strict Zero Carb diet: It consists exclusively of animal products like meat, fish, and eggs, eliminating all plant foods.
The Animal-Based diet (Saladino version) is more flexible: This approach prioritizes animal foods but selectively includes low-antinutrient plant foods like fruits and honey.
Animal-based diets are highly nutrient-dense: Animal foods offer superior sources of bioavailable nutrients such as Vitamin B12, heme iron, and zinc.
Potential for improved digestion: Many followers report better digestive health and less irritation from eliminating problematic plant compounds.
Risk of nutritional deficiencies exists: Restrictive diets risk shortages of fiber and vitamins like C, requiring careful planning or supplementation.
The long-term effects lack comprehensive research: Clinical studies on the long-term safety and efficacy of highly restrictive animal-based diets are limited.
Consult a healthcare professional: Before starting any highly restrictive diet, it is crucial to consult with a doctor or registered dietitian.

Common names for an animal-based diet

While a diet centered on animal products is often broadly referred to as an "animal-based diet," several more specific terms exist depending on the exact food inclusions and restrictions. The most common name for the most restrictive form is the Carnivore diet. It is also frequently referred to as a Zero Carb diet due to the complete elimination of carbohydrates.

The term "animal-based diet" was popularized by Dr. Paul Saladino as a modification of the strict carnivore approach. It is centered on animal foods but also includes select plant foods considered low in antinutrients, such as fruits and honey.

The Carnivore diet: a strict, zero-carb approach

The Carnivore diet is the most extreme form, requiring the exclusive consumption of animal products. The food list is simple and leaves no room for interpretation. This approach is favored by those seeking a maximal elimination diet to address issues like inflammation or autoimmune symptoms.

Allowed foods: Meat, fish, eggs, and some low-lactose dairy products.
Eliminated foods: All fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

The broader animal-based diet

In contrast to the zero-carb restriction of the Carnivore diet, the broader animal-based diet offers a bit more flexibility. It maintains the core focus on animal foods but incorporates some fruits and honey. The rationale behind this modification is that these specific plant foods are low in antinutrients (plant compounds that can interfere with nutrient absorption) and provide an energy source from carbohydrates.

Core foods: Ruminant meats (beef, bison), organ meats (liver, heart), and high-quality fats.
Included plant foods: Fruits and honey are commonly included.

Other related dietary patterns

Other diets share similarities but have key differences in their approach to food groups:

Keto diet: While also a low-carbohydrate diet, keto focuses on high fat intake and allows for a wider variety of foods, including many vegetables, nuts, and seeds, as long as carbohydrate limits are met.
Paleo diet: This "hunter-gatherer" diet includes meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts but excludes dairy, grains, and legumes. It is less restrictive than either the Carnivore or Saladino's animal-based diet.

Comparison: Carnivore vs. Animal-Based vs. Paleo

To better understand the differences between these meat-centric diets, refer to the following comparison table:


Feature	Carnivore Diet	Animal-Based Diet (Saladino)	Paleo Diet
Carbohydrates	Zero, with the goal of ketosis	Limited to select fruits and honey	Present, from fruits, vegetables, and tubers
Plant Foods	Strictly eliminated	Limited to specific low-antinutrient items	Includes a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and nuts
Meat and Organs	Core component; often emphasizes fattier cuts	Core component; nose-to-tail philosophy encouraged	Included, but not the sole focus
Dairy	Often limited to small amounts of low-lactose dairy	Often includes raw dairy for those who tolerate it	Generally excluded
Rationale	Maximal elimination for health and fat burning	Ancestral eating with modern scientific perspective	Mimics the diet of Stone Age ancestors

Potential benefits of an animal-based diet

Proponents of animal-based eating highlight several potential benefits, though clinical research is often cited as limited.

Nutrient density: Animal-sourced foods are rich in highly bioavailable nutrients like B12, heme iron, and zinc, which are crucial for energy and cognitive health.
Improved digestion: Some individuals with sensitivities to plant compounds (like lectins and phytates) report reduced bloating, gas, and irritation when on an animal-based diet.
Increased satiety: The high protein and fat content in animal foods promotes a feeling of fullness, which can assist with weight management and curb cravings for processed foods.
Blood sugar stability: A lower carbohydrate intake helps to stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, which can be beneficial for managing metabolic health.

Associated risks and considerations

While some people report positive outcomes, health experts raise concerns about the restrictive nature of animal-based diets, particularly the strict Carnivore variant.

Nutrient deficiencies: The elimination of entire food groups removes important sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants typically found in plant foods. Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) is a risk, particularly on a strict zero-carb version.
Digestive issues: A significant lack of dietary fiber, especially in the Carnivore diet, can lead to digestive problems like constipation.
Cardiovascular health: High intake of saturated fat and cholesterol from animal products, particularly fatty meats, is a concern for cardiovascular disease risk.
Sustainability and ethics: The environmental impact and ethical implications of high animal agriculture consumption are also points of debate.

Conclusion

Understanding what an animal-based diet is called requires recognizing the spectrum of approaches. The strict Carnivore diet, also known as Zero Carb, is the most restrictive form, eliminating all plant matter. The more inclusive Animal-Based diet, popularized by figures like Dr. Paul Saladino, centers on animal foods but strategically includes low-antinutrient plant foods like fruit and honey. While proponents cite benefits like improved nutrient absorption and digestive health, critics point to potential risks like nutrient deficiencies and high saturated fat intake. As with any restrictive diet, individuals should carefully weigh the pros and cons and consult with a healthcare professional, as research on long-term effects remains limited.

Key takeaways

The most restrictive form is the Carnivore diet, also known as the Zero Carb diet, where only meat and animal products are consumed.
The term "animal-based" can also describe a more flexible version that adds fruits and honey to a base of animal foods.
Animal-based diets are distinct from Keto and Paleo, though they share a low-carb emphasis.
Proponents suggest benefits like better digestion and improved satiety, while critics warn of potential risks like nutrient deficiencies and heart health issues.
Long-term research on the overall effects of these diets is still limited, and they may not be suitable for everyone.
Core foods typically include meats, organs, eggs, and fats, with some variation in the inclusion of dairy and plant foods.
Potential side effects during adaptation can include fatigue, headaches, and digestive changes, often referred to as "keto flu".

FAQs

Q: Is the Carnivore diet the same as a Ketogenic diet? A: While the Carnivore diet is inherently ketogenic due to its zero-carb nature, a standard Keto diet is less restrictive. Keto allows a wider range of foods, including many vegetables, nuts, and seeds, as long as total carbohydrate intake is kept very low.

Q: What is a "nose-to-tail" animal-based diet? A: A nose-to-tail approach involves consuming all parts of the animal, including organ meats like liver, heart, and kidney, in addition to muscle meats. This is done to maximize nutrient intake, as organs are particularly dense in vitamins and minerals.

Q: Can you get vitamin C on a strict Carnivore diet? A: While some proponents argue that the body's need for vitamin C decreases without carbohydrates, a strict Carnivore diet is largely devoid of vitamin C, which is found almost exclusively in plants. Some followers emphasize consuming fresh organ meats, which contain small amounts of vitamin C, though supplementation may be a concern.

Q: What are antinutrients, and why do some animal-based diets restrict them? A: Antinutrients are compounds in plants that can interfere with the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Diets that prioritize animal foods often seek to minimize or eliminate these compounds by cutting out grains, legumes, and most vegetables.

Q: Is an animal-based diet sustainable in the long run? A: The long-term sustainability of an animal-based diet varies greatly by individual. Its highly restrictive nature can be challenging to maintain. Some experts argue a more balanced approach that includes a variety of plant foods is more sustainable for long-term health.

Q: What is the "Lion Diet"? A: The Lion Diet is an extremely restrictive form of the Carnivore diet, allowing only red meat (specifically beef), salt, and water. It is sometimes used as a temporary elimination diet to identify food sensitivities.

Q: What is the main difference between an animal-based diet and the Paleo diet? A: The main difference lies in plant food inclusions and dairy. The Paleo diet includes a broad range of vegetables, fruits, and nuts but typically excludes dairy. The animal-based diet (Saladino version) includes fruit and honey but is much more selective about which, if any, vegetables are included and often allows raw dairy.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the Carnivore diet is inherently ketogenic due to its zero-carb nature, a standard Keto diet is less restrictive. Keto allows a wider range of foods, including many vegetables, nuts, and seeds, as long as total carbohydrate intake is kept very low.

A nose-to-tail approach involves consuming all parts of the animal, including organ meats like liver, heart, and kidney, in addition to muscle meats. This is done to maximize nutrient intake, as organs are particularly dense in vitamins and minerals.

While some proponents argue that the body's need for vitamin C decreases without carbohydrates, a strict Carnivore diet is largely devoid of vitamin C, which is found almost exclusively in plants. Some followers emphasize consuming fresh organ meats, which contain small amounts of vitamin C, though supplementation may be a concern.

Antinutrients are compounds in plants that can interfere with the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Diets that prioritize animal foods often seek to minimize or eliminate these compounds by cutting out grains, legumes, and most vegetables.

The long-term sustainability of an animal-based diet varies greatly by individual. Its highly restrictive nature can be challenging to maintain. Some experts argue a more balanced approach that includes a variety of plant foods is more sustainable for long-term health.

The Lion Diet is an extremely restrictive form of the Carnivore diet, allowing only red meat (specifically beef), salt, and water. It is sometimes used as a temporary elimination diet to identify food sensitivities.

The main difference lies in plant food inclusions and dairy. The Paleo diet includes a broad range of vegetables, fruits, and nuts but typically excludes dairy. The animal-based diet (Saladino version) includes fruit and honey but is much more selective about which, if any, vegetables are included and often allows raw dairy.