The carnivore diet is a way of eating that only allows animal products and limits or doesn’t allow most plant-based foods. The main idea behind the carnivore diet is that people have evolved to eat animal foods and that carbohydrates and plants are either not necessary or could be harmful. In this article, we explore the carnivore diet and its main principles to help you get started. We also provide you with a convenient shopping list that aligns with this dietary approach. Table of contents.
The carnivore diet involves eating only animal foods like meat fish eggs, and dairy. With its focus on high-fat meats, many wonder if processed meats like sausage can fit into this way of eating.
Sausage’s suitability on carnivore depends on the specific diet variation followed as well as the ingredients in a given sausage. In this article we’ll cover
- Different types of carnivore diets
- Sausage ingredients to look for
- Potential benefits and downsides of sausage
- Tips for choosing quality sausage on carnivore
- Other carnivore-friendly processed meats
Let’s dive in and find out if your morning sausage and eggs can be part of an animal-based, low-carb lifestyle.
Overview of Carnivore Diet Types
There are a few different versions of the carnivore diet:
- Strict carnivore – Only ruminant meat, salt, and water
- Classic carnivore – All meat, fish, eggs, high-fat dairy; minimal spices
- Animal-based – Includes all classic carnivore foods plus limited fruit, honey, higher-carb dairy
- Keto carnivore – Focuses on ketogenic macros with some veggies and plant oils
The stricter carnivore plans like strict and classic avoid processed meats, while animal-based and keto carnivore allow them, within reason.
What to Look for in Carnivore-Friendly Sausage
Since sausage can vary greatly in ingredients, it’s important to read labels when selecting sausage on carnivore. Ideal sausage should contain:
- 100% animal meat – Beef, pork, chicken, turkey, etc.
- No fillers or binders – Wheat, soy, cornstarch, etc.
- No added sugar – Honey, maple syrup, dextrose, etc.
- Minimal spices and seasonings – Onion, garlic, paprika, etc.
Ideally, the only ingredients should be meat and basic spices like salt, pepper, sage, etc.
Avoid sausage with preservatives, corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, or other additives not aligned with carnivore principles.
Potential Benefits of Sausage on Carnivore
If ingredients check out, sausage offers these upsides:
- Convenient, portable protein and fat
- Adds variety beyond plain meat cuts
- Can satisfy cravings for familiar flavors
- Introduces new flavors through spices and smoking
- Contributes needed sodium on a low-carb diet
In moderation, quality sausage provides an easy way to meet your carnivore protein and fat intake goals.
Potential Downsides of Sausage on Carnivore
Be aware of a couple potential cons with sausage:
- Higher risk of additives and preservatives
- More expensive than buying bulk meat
- Higher in sodium than fresh meat
- Spices and seasonings may be irritating
- Could stall weight loss due to additives
Pay attention to how your body responds when you eat sausage. Some do better avoiding processed meats entirely.
Tips for Choosing Sausage on Carnivore
Follow these tips to find quality sausage that aligns with carnivore principles:
- Seek out grass-fed, pastured, or organic meat
- Check no sugar, wheat, soy, fillers in ingredients
- Look for options without MSG, corn syrup, etc.
- Choose sausages with 5g carbs or less per serving
- Opt for uncured sausage without nitrates/nitrites
- Pick sausages without heavy spice blends
- Read labels and know exactly what’s in your sausage
- Stick to 1-2 servings per day for variety
Going with high quality, additive-free sausage from pastured animals fits into an animal-based or keto carnivore diet.
Other Carnivore-Friendly Processed Meats
In addition to sausage, these processed meats can work for carnivore:
- Uncured bacon
- Beef jerky
- Deli meat and sandwich slices
- Hot dogs without fillers
- Carnivore-friendly pork rinds
- Bone broth protein powder
Like sausage, always read labels and aim for 100% meat without sketchy ingredients.
The Bottom Line
Sausage can be included on more flexible carnivore plans like animal-based and keto. Choose options with only meat, salt, and basic spices. Avoid added sugar, fillers, soy, and preservatives. Check ingredients carefully and stick to one to two servings daily.
For strict classic carnivore, it’s best to avoid processed meats and seasonings. But if your body tolerates sausage well, it can add tasty variety to balance out simpler meat staples. Quality matters – seek out high-end, filler-free sausages whenever possible.
Carnivore Diet Food List Breakdown
Meat and poultry are important parts of a carnivore’s diet because they contain important minerals, vitamins, and proteins. Think of beef, which comes in many forms such as steak, ground beef, and ribs. It’s an important choice because it tastes great and can be used in many ways. Other types of meat you can include are pork, lamb, turkey or chicken.
It provides a range of nutrients, specifically omega-3 fatty acids. People know that fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel are good for your heart health because they contain a lot of omega-3.
On top of that, shrimp, lobster, and crab are good sources of protein and minerals that make food more enjoyable. If you are on a meat-only diet, sardines are a great source of omega-3s because they are an oily small fish.
Organ meats are considered highly nutritious and beneficial for a carnivore diet due to their concentrated nutrient profiles. Liver comes from beef, chicken, and pork. It is a very healthy organ that is full of minerals like iron and zinc and vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12.
Hearts, from both beef and chicken, offer high-quality proteins and various vitamins and minerals. Kidneys, from beef and lamb, provide essential nutrients, including vitamin B12 and selenium. Brain from beef and pork is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and nutrients like choline. Tongue is a tasty and tender organ meat that makes the diet more varied.
Focus on high-quality animal products. Since a carnivore diet is based on animal-based foods, pick meat, fish, and poultry from good sources. Opt for grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken and eggs, and wild-caught fish whenever possible to ensure nutrient density.
Get a carnivore diet grocery list on your phone! It’s free.
A carnivore diet focuses on whole cuts of meat, but processed meats can be eaten in small amounts. As quick and easy foods, you can eat bacon, sausages (beef, pork, and chicken), pepperoni, salami, and jerky (beef and turkey).
Most of the time, these foods are cured or seasoned to add flavor, but it’s important to choose ones that don’t have any extra sugars or fillers.
They can serve as valuable sources of animal-based protein and fats. Both chicken and duck eggs are incredibly versatile and contain a wealth of essential nutrients. Butter, being rich in saturated fats, can be utilized for various cooking techniques and to enhance flavors.
Also, different kinds of cheese, like blue, cheddar, and brie, have different tastes and textures and are good sources of protein and fat. Those who want a high-fat option should choose heavy cream made from dairy. It’s great for cooking and adding creaminess to drinks.
Fats and oils are crucial for energy and satiety on a carnivore diet. Duck fat, tallow, and lard are all animal fats that can be used to roast and cook food, giving it more flavor. Even though olive oil isn’t made from animals, it’s easy to find and can be used in small amounts for cooking.
Broths and stocks provide a way to extract nutrients from bones and connective tissues. Bone broth comes in different types, like beef, chicken, and fish. It is a very healthy liquid that has minerals, amino acids, and collagen. Stocks made from chicken or beef add flavor to soups and sauces and give them more nutrients and depth of flavor.
They can improve the taste of carnivore dishes while still respecting dietary principles. Essential seasonings like salt and pepper can be used to enhance the flavor of different meats. Tangy and spicy kicks can be achieved by incorporating mustard and hot sauce without added sugars into dishes. On the other hand, apple cider vinegar is a versatile ingredient that can improve the taste of dressings, marinades, or even the whole meal.
Basic Carnivore Diet Guidelines
The carnivore diet revolves around prioritizing animal-based foods. Most of the time, it would include meat, poultry, seafood, and fats that come from animals. These foods provide nutrients like protein and healthy fats.
This translates to excluding fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and even some dairy items from your meals. The main idea behind this is that these plant-based foods might have potentially harmful parts and substances in them, like anti-nutrients that could hurt your digestion or health in general.
However, you should keep in mind that are no scientific studies to support these claims. This diet is still yet to be properly studied.
⚠️ Keep in Mind
Before beginning a carnivore diet, it is best to talk to a doctor or registered dietitian, as with any other dietary change.
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FAQ
Can I eat breakfast sausage on a carnivore diet?
Is Ham OK on a carnivore diet?
Is pork OK on the carnivore diet?
Can a carnivore eat sausage?
Yes, even those following a strict version of the carnivore diet can include sausage in their meals. As long as the sausage primarily consists of animal products without any unwanted additives, it remains compatible with the principles of this diet.
Is sausage casing healthier option to eat?
Cellulose casings and some natural casings are perfectly fine to eat. Sausage casings are used to hold and shape filling inside so that it can be cooked. There are natural sausage casings and synthetic varieties, and most of them are edible. The healthiest way to cook them is by boiling or baking. Sausages provide high levels of vitamin B12 and iron, both of which are essential for healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin production.
Can you eat sausages on a keto diet?
Yes – the consumption of Sausages can be included on the Keto Carnivore diet. Keto Carnivore is not truly a carnivore diet, however, it is still low in carbohydrates (usually up to around 40g per day to remain in ketosis) with fruits, vegetables, plant-based oils, nuts, and seeds also included.
Can a carnivore eat sauce?
No, you cannot add sauces to your food, and most seasonings are off-limits for carnivore dieters, even when you’re thinking short-term. In most cases, seasonings and sauces have many carbs, which will cause all sorts of problems for your metabolism and result in weight loss. What About Vitamin C?