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Keto vs. Carnivore Diet: You might be wondering which one is better for you?

Both of these diet plans have benefits and drawbacks in different areas. In fact, when it comes to eating habits, people love to divide things into neat little buckets. There are so many diets out there, each one different from the next. Even when they have similar names, like “High Protein” or “No Sugar” diets, the rules for each one are different and often quite restrictive.  Here’s a breakdown on what makes Keto diet and Carnivore different as well as what makes them compatible in the same diet plan. To understand the difference between Keto and Carnivore diets, you first need to know what each of them means.

What is the Keto Diet?

The Keto diet is essentially a very low carb diet with high fat intake. It is a diet plan that focuses on bringing the body into a state of ketosis. In ketosis, the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. This diet is often used as a weight loss method and/or for managing diseases where carbohydrate intake needs to be limited.

You’ll find that people who follow this diet eat lots of vegetables, fish and other types of meat, eggs, and low-carb, high-fat snacks like nuts and seeds. People on the Keto diet avoid most kinds of dairy products and grains, as well as legumes and starchy vegetables like potatoes.

What is the Carnivore Diet?

The Carnivore diet, unlike Keto, is a diet that focuses on the consumption of meat. The carnivore diet is all about eating meat only, and not vegetables or other plant matter. It’s often used as a means of healing conditions like gut issues, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic diseases. The carnivore diet is also sometimes called the “Zero Carb diet” or the “All Meat diet”.

It is often used as a therapeutic method of weight loss. Those on the carnivore diet eat mostly beef, pork, chicken, lamb, fish, or other types of meat. The carnivore diet also requires people to eat organ meats and bone broth. Some carnivore dieters may also eat eggs, dairy, and healthy fats like coconut oil and ghee. What differentiates the carnivore diet from the other meat-based diets is that the carnivore diet eliminates plant matter from the diet completely.

The Differences Between Keto and Carnivore Diets

There are key differences between the Keto Diet and the Carnivore Diet that differentiate the two diets.

These differences include the following:

1 - Calorie In-take: Keto is high in calories, while Carnivore is not.

2 - Carbohydrates: Keto Diet has very low carb intake, while Carnivore has zero carb intake.

3 - Dietary Fiber: Keto Diet has high fiber intake, while Carnivore has very low fiber intake.

4 - Fat: Keto Diet has high fat intake, while Carnivore has very high fat intake.

5 - Protein: Keto Diet has high protein intake, while Carnivore has very high protein intake.

6 - Sugar: Keto Diet has low sugar intake, while Carnivore has zero sugar intake.

Keto vs. Carnivore Diet: Which one is better for you?

When comparing the Keto diet and the Carnivore diet, the Keto diet appears to be the clear winner. This is because the Keto diet has a better balance of macronutrients (fats, proteins, and carbohydrates) while the Carnivore diet has an unbalanced distribution. The Keto diet is also better in terms of health benefits. The Keto diet is better for gut health, brain health, and overall mood.

The Carnivore diet, on the other hand, is not good for gut health, brain health, and mood. The one area where the Carnivore diet outperforms the Keto diet is weight loss. The Carnivore diet is very effective in terms of weight loss. The Keto diet is also effective for weight loss, but not as effective as the Carnivore diet. This is because the Carnivore diet is more ideal for people who are training for athletic events like a marathon since it has a high protein intake.

Putting Together a Carnivore and Keto Diet Plan

Both diets are high-fat, low-carb, and meat-heavy. If you follow one of these diets, you’ll need to find ways to replace the vegetables and other plant-based foods that you used to eat.

Luckily, there are plenty of carb-free options that fit the bill, including:

Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and other nuts and seeds are tasty, easy-to-find snacks that are low in carbs and high in protein. They’re also full of healthy fats and other essential nutrients.

Dairy: Milk, cream, yogurt, and cheese are all low-carb dairy options. Other dairy products like butter, though, are high in carbs.

Eggs: Besides being extremely affordable, eggs are a good source of protein and fat. You can also use them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Vegetables: Some vegetables, like asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower, are low in carbs. Others, like sweet potatoes and carrots, are high in carbs. 

Low-carb fruits: Some fruits, like berries, are low in carbs. Others, like bananas, are high in carbs.

Final Words

Both the Carnivore diet and the Keto diet have health benefits and drawbacks. When putting together a diet plan, it’s important to weigh the good vs. the bad of each diet to see which diet plan fits you best. Whether you choose the Keto diet or the Carnivore diet, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables, especially potassium and sodium, iron, fibre, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K.