What plants can you eat on a carnivore diet?

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the fundamental principles of the diet, a true carnivore diet consists exclusively of animal products. The simple answer to what plants can you eat on a carnivore diet is none, as all fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods are strictly eliminated.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the core rules of the carnivore diet, detailing why it strictly forbids all plants and outlining the foods that are permitted, such as meat, fish, and certain dairy products. It also addresses the nutritional implications and potential concerns associated with eliminating plant-based foods.

Key Points

No Plants Allowed: The carnivore diet prohibits all fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts.
Animal Products Only: The diet is limited to meat, fish, eggs, and some low-lactose dairy.
High-Protein and High-Fat: The macronutrient profile is centered on protein and fat, with virtually no carbohydrates.
Potential for Nutrient Deficiencies: Eliminating plants can lead to a lack of fiber, vitamin C, and other essential micronutrients.
Differs from Keto: Unlike the ketogenic diet, which allows for low-carb plants, the carnivore diet is entirely plant-free.
Possible Digestive Concerns: The complete absence of fiber can cause digestive issues like constipation and affect gut microbiome health.
Emphasis on Fatty Cuts and Organ Meats: Followers are encouraged to consume fattier meats and nutrient-dense organ meats.

Understanding the Carnivore Diet's Strict Rules

The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive eating plan that centers on the exclusive consumption of animal products. Unlike other low-carbohydrate diets, such as keto, the carnivore approach takes the elimination of carbs to an extreme, aiming for a zero-carb intake. This strict rule means that anything derived from a plant source is off the menu, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The diet is founded on the belief that ancestral human populations ate primarily meat and fish, and that modern chronic diseases are linked to the high consumption of carbohydrates.

The elimination process is not about a gradual reduction but a total removal of all plant matter. This includes even typically healthy plant-based foods like broccoli, spinach, and avocados. The logic is that by removing these potential irritants, the body can address issues like inflammation and digestive problems. Proponents emphasize focusing on the nutrient density of animal foods, especially organ meats, to compensate for the nutrients typically found in plants.

What Foods Are Truly Permitted on the Carnivore Diet?

If plants are off-limits, what exactly can a person eat on this diet? The list of permitted foods is straightforward and entirely animal-based.

Meat and Poultry: This includes beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and turkey. Fattier cuts of meat are often encouraged to ensure adequate energy intake in the absence of carbohydrates.
Fish and Seafood: Oily fish like salmon and mackerel are staples, providing essential omega-3 fatty acids. White fish and other seafood like crab and lobster are also allowed.
Organ Meats: Foods such as liver, kidney, and heart are highly recommended due to their dense nutritional profile, which contains vitamins and minerals that might be less prevalent in muscle meats.
Eggs: A versatile and nutritious staple that provides protein and fat.
Certain Dairy: Some followers include low-lactose dairy products in limited amounts, such as hard cheeses, butter, and heavy cream. However, some stricter versions exclude all dairy due to lactose content.
Animal Fats: Tallow, lard, and bone marrow are used for cooking and as an energy source.
Seasoning and Broth: Simple seasonings like salt are used, and bone broth is a popular beverage.

Comparing Carnivore and Keto Diets

While both diets are low in carbohydrates, the fundamental distinction lies in their approach to plants. The carnivore diet is a completely zero-carb, plant-free protocol, whereas the ketogenic diet allows for a moderate intake of certain low-carb vegetables. This difference has significant implications for both nutrition and adherence.


Feature	Carnivore Diet	Ketogenic (Keto) Diet
Plant-Based Foods	Strictly Excluded	Low-carb vegetables (spinach, broccoli), nuts, and seeds are allowed.
Goal	Eliminate all plant-based foods to simplify diet and reduce potential irritants.	Achieve ketosis by restricting carbohydrates, usually below 50g per day.
Macronutrient Ratio	High protein and high fat, with zero carbohydrates.	High fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrates.
Nutrient Concerns	Lacks fiber and certain micronutrients like Vitamin C, often requiring supplementation.	Can also lead to nutrient deficiencies but offers more variety for nutrient intake.
Sustainability	Very restrictive and challenging to maintain long-term due to limited variety.	More flexible, making it easier for many people to adhere to over time.

Potential Nutritional Implications of a Plant-Free Diet

The complete elimination of plants, while a core tenet of the carnivore diet, raises significant nutritional questions. Plants provide a wealth of nutrients that are absent or low in animal products, including dietary fiber, vitamin C, and many antioxidants. While advocates claim that animal products, especially organ meats, can provide sufficient vitamin C, this is a subject of debate.

The most notable absence is fiber, which is crucial for digestive health and the health of the gut microbiome. A lack of fiber can lead to constipation and may negatively affect the balance of gut bacteria. This is one of the main concerns raised by nutritionists and health experts. Additionally, studies on the long-term effects of this diet are limited, and some experts warn of potential cardiovascular risks due to high saturated fat and cholesterol intake.

Conclusion: A Definitive Zero-Plant Approach

To answer the question, "What plants can you eat on a carnivore diet?" the answer is unequivocal: zero. The carnivore diet is an all-animal-based eating plan that strictly excludes all plant foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. This is its defining feature and the primary factor separating it from other low-carb diets. While proponents report benefits such as weight loss and reduced inflammation by eliminating potential plant-based irritants, it's a highly restrictive approach with potential long-term nutritional and health concerns, particularly regarding nutrient deficiencies and gut health. Anyone considering this diet should be aware of its strict limitations and potential downsides and should consider consulting with a healthcare professional before making such a drastic dietary change.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Carnivore Diet

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot eat vegetables on a carnivore diet. The diet is strictly animal-based and requires the elimination of all plant-derived foods, including all vegetables.

Eating a plant-based food item would be considered a deviation from the carnivore diet's core rules. For those using the diet as an elimination protocol, it could reintroduce potential irritants they are trying to avoid.

The potential for vitamin C deficiency is a concern on the carnivore diet because most vitamin C is found in plant foods. While organ meats contain some vitamin C, relying on this source alone can be risky for long-term health.

There is no fiber on a carnivore diet because fiber is exclusively found in plants. Followers must manage digestion with high-fat intake and hydration, as the diet lacks this key component for gut health.

Since coffee and tea are made from plant-based sources (beans and leaves), they are technically not allowed on a strict carnivore diet. Some followers adopt a modified version that includes them, but it deviates from the core principles.

Proponents of the carnivore diet believe that certain plant-based compounds, such as lectins and oxalates, can act as irritants and cause inflammation or other health issues in some individuals. By removing all plants, they aim to eliminate these potential triggers.

No. A strict carnivore diet makes no exceptions for any plant-based foods, regardless of how seemingly harmless they may be. All fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains are excluded.