Are you trying to decide between the keto and carnivore diets? Let’s break down these popular eating plans to help you make an informed choice for your health journey.

Understanding the Basics

The Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating plan that’s gained massive popularity. When following a keto diet for beginners, you’ll typically:

• Consume 70-80% of calories from fat
• Get 20-25% from protein
• Limit carbs to 5-10% (usually 20-50g per day)

The Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet is even more restrictive:

• Consists entirely of animal products
• Zero carbohydrates
• No plant-based foods

What Can You Eat?

Keto-Friendly Foods

• Meats and fatty fish
• Keto side dishes like cauliflower rice
• Eggs and high-fat dairy
• Low-carb vegetables
• Keto-friendly bread alternatives
• Nuts and seeds

Carnivore Diet Foods

• All types of meat
• Fish and seafood
• Eggs
• Some dairy (if tolerated)
• Carnivore diet keto recipes often focus on fatty cuts

Sample Meal Plans

Keto Sample Meal Plan

Breakfast:

• Keto breakfast recipes like almond flour pancakes
• Bacon and eggs
• Bulletproof coffee

Dinner:

• Popular keto recipes dinner options include:
  • Butter-basted salmon
  • Cauliflower mac and cheese
  • Zucchini noodle pasta

Snacks:

• Keto snacks between meals:
  • Cheese crisps
  • Pork rinds
  • Fat bombs

Carnivore Meal Plan

• Breakfast: Ribeye steak and eggs
• Lunch: Ground beef patties
• Dinner: Roasted chicken with skin
• Snacks: Beef jerky or pork rinds

Pros and Cons

Keto Benefits

✓ More food variety ✓ Includes vegetables and fiber ✓ Flexible keto diet food plan options ✓ Can include keto bread and treats

Keto Drawbacks

✗ Requires careful macro tracking ✗ Initial “keto flu” symptoms ✗ More meal prep needed

Carnivore Benefits

✓ Simple to follow ✓ No counting needed ✓ May reduce inflammation

Carnivore Drawbacks

✗ Very restrictive ✗ Limited food choices ✗ Potential nutrient gaps

Which Diet Should You Choose?

Choose Keto if you:

• Want more variety in your meals
• Enjoy cooking and trying new recipes
• Need flexibility for social situations
• Like including vegetables in your diet

Choose Carnivore if you:

• Prefer extreme simplicity
• Have autoimmune issues
• Don’t mind a limited menu
• Digest plants poorly

Remember: Consult your healthcare provider before starting either diet, as both are relatively restrictive and may not suit everyone’s needs.