Top Carnivore Diet Snacks & Drinks to Satisfy Your Hunger

1. What Qualifies as a Carnivore Diet Snack? 

Carnivore diet snacks refer to single-ingredient or minimally processed items entirely based on animal-based foods. These snacks are meat-centric quick eats with no sugar, additives, or plants. Carnivore-based snacks consist of pure meat and are easy to consume, making them highly nutritious and excluding all plant-derived snacks. These snacks enhance satiety (feeling of fullness) without violating the rules of the diet.

For example, Air-dried beef liver chips are an excellent carnivore snack because they are made entirely of liver and do not require additional ingredients, unlike commercial jerky. The USDA stated that 70% of commercial jerkies include added sugars (e.g., Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky: 3g sugar/serving).

A study published in the Nutritional Journal 2023 survey also highlighted the percentage of low-carb diet adherence. It concluded that 62% of carnivore followers struggle with snack variety. The survey also showed the challenges of finding the right snack option in carnivore meals, with diverse and satisfying options.

2. Carnivore-Approved Snacks: Portable & Shelf-Stable

 

With a carnivore diet, many fresh vs. preserved healthy snack options exist. Fresh snacks like hard-boiled eggs, freshly cooked chilled meat, or preserved snack options like beef jerky, biltong, meat sticks, and meat crisps are shelf-stable options. These preserved meats contain essential ingredients like grass-fed meat and natural salt. They have no added additives and are nitrate-free, providing energy and ideal for long-term storage.

Fresh Snacks

• Boiled Eggs: Sprinkle with salt to recover electrolytes. (preferable to source from pasture-raised hens for added nutrient density.)
• Cold Cuts: Choose uncured ham or turkey and check labels to avoid additives or nitrates. (Preferable to choose grass-fed varieties)

Preserved Snacks

• Pemmican: Traditional fat/protein bar made from 50% dried meat and 50% tallow.
• Biltong: South African air-dried meat prepared without vinegar or coriander to keep it pure. (Choose nitrate-free options). However, traditional methods of biltong use vinegar and thus stryve (no sugar added) can be used as a substitute. 

Dairy-Based (Optional)

• Cheese Crisps: Bake cheddar slices until crispy. (Preferable to choose grass-fed cheddar for richer flavour and better nutritional profile)
• Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream with vanilla (consume it as an optional complement in snacks)

Novelty Snacks

• Salmon Jerky: A jerky-style snack rich in omega-3 fatty acids. (Avoid maple glaze and choose seasoned salmon to preserve the natural flavour and nutritional benefits)
• Bone Marrow Bites: Roast bone marrow and then freeze into cubes. It provides essential fats and a unique, nutrient-dense texture.

3. Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Pros and Cons 

When comparing homemade carnivore snacks to store-bought options, it is essential to consider the pros and cons, such as ingredient control vs. convenience and clean labels. These are the pros and cons of homemade vs. store-bought carnivore snacks. 

Pros and Cons of Homemade Carnivore Snacks:

Pros: The benefits of homemade snacks in a carnivore diet include

• Ingredient Control: Making homemade carnivore snacks helps to avoid extra additives. People have complete control over the ingredients to ensure the snack is carnivore. They can also modify fat ratios in their snack according to their dietary preferences.
• No Hidden Ingredients: Homemade snacks prevent the usage of unwanted plant oils or hidden “natural flavours” that are artificial.

Cons: Below are some cons of homemade snacks for a carnivore diet

• Time-Intensive: Snacks like pemmican and jerky require much time to make. Cuts of meat that require dehydrating can take up to 8 hours to fully dry, which is a time and energy commitment.
• Effort: Sourcing high-quality meat, prepping, and cleaning require more effort than a store-bought option.

Store-Bought Carnivore Snacks:

Pros: The pros of store-brought carnivore snacks include

• Convenience: Store-bought carnivore snacks are highly convenient, especially for those who don't have any time to make it. You can easily access them, and they are readily available.
• Brand Options: Reputable brands provide healthy snacks, such as Carnivore Crisps, which offers beef-only snacks, or US Wellness Meats, with various jerky options.

Cons: The following are some cons of store-bought carnivore snacks.

• Hidden Ingredients (Pitfalls): Even in high-quality store-bought options, there’s a risk of hidden non-carnivore ingredients. For example, some snacks hide plant oils labeled as "natural flavours," which the strict rules of a carnivore diet prohibit.
• Cost: Store-bought carnivore snacks are more expensive. While homemade pemmican costs are affordable per serving, store-bought alternatives are more costly per serving depending on the brand.

4. Carnivore Diet Drinks: Beyond Water 

Staying hydrated and consuming sufficient liquid intake is essential in a carnivore diet. Thus, you should consume animal-sourced liquids in the carnivore diet to align perfectly with its principles. Carnivore diet bone broth is beneficial for broth for gut health vs. hydration. It provides various nutrients, such as amino acids and proteins. Glycine, gelatin, and electrolytes are present in bone broth, which supports the transition into a carnivore diet. It is also a healthy snack for meat lovers to consume in a diet.

Essential Drinks: Water with electrolyte mix and bone broth are recommended in the carnivore diet for hydration. 

• Bone Broth: it is made with simmered bones and connective tissues. To make it, soak bones in water with a bit of salt for a long time, usually between 24 and 48 hours. The longer you simmer, the richer and more gelatinous the broth. USDA advises 12–24 hours for nutrient extraction without excessive histamine formation.
• Electrolyte Mix: A one-litre jug of water mixed with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp potassium chloride is suitable for a carnivore diet. The drink provides essential minerals such as sodium from salt and potassium from potassium chloride that help maintain the carnivore diet's hydration level. 

Controversial Options:

Consuming black coffee and raw milk in a carnivore diet is controversial. 

• Black Coffee: Black coffee is allowed in flexible versions of the carnivore diet. Coffee is helpful in weight loss because it limits appetite and increases fat burning. However, some experts do not allow it to be consumed in a strict version as it is plant-based. Experts such as Paul Saladino also allow coffee in moderation as part of the carnivore diet. 
• Raw Milk: Raw milk contains 12g lactose per cup and is nutrient-rich, providing the highest amount of protein and fat. People on flexible versions of carnivore diets usually consume raw milk. However, consuming milk is controversial due to its carbohydrate content. In strict versions of carnivore diets, some people avoid raw milk to maintain strict adherence to zero-carb principles.

Drinks to Avoid in the Carnivore Diet: 

People following a carnivore diet prohibit consuming alcohol, tea, and herbal infusions.

• Alcohol: Alcohol, especially ethanol, metabolises as a toxin in the body. Consuming alcohol in a carnivore diet can disrupt the metabolism function and liver and affect overall health. Thus, people on a carnivore diet should avoid consuming alcohol in a diet.
• Tea/Herbal Infusions: Tea and herbal drinks are derived from plant sources and should be avoided in strict versions of the carnivore diet. The strict version only focuses on animal-based sources, so a diet usually avoids these drinks.

5. Managing Electrolytes on a Carnivore Diet 

Managing electrolytes, such as sodium-potassium balance, in the carnivore diet is essential to prevent muscle cramps. Thus, proper hydration with adequate electrolyte balance is necessary in a carnivore diet. 

A carnivore diet is lower in carbohydrates, which may drop the insulin level and force the kidneys to excrete more sodium with water. The loss of sodium with water disrupts the electrolyte balance, leading to dehydration, fatigue, and muscle cramps. A recent study in 2023 published in the Journal of Nutrition highlighted that increased renal sodium excretion is a major factor in electrolyte imbalance, especially for people following low‐carb diets.

Consuming sodium and potassium is essential to maintaining electrolyte and fluid balance. Muscle cramps result from reduced blood volume and lower sodium levels in the body. These electrolytes support nerve signalling and regulate regular muscle contractions.  

Daily Target To Manage Electrolytes in a Carnivore Diet:

Sodium: Aim for approximately 3000-5000 mg of sodium daily in a carnivore diet. You can achieve this level by sprinkling high-quality salt, such as Himalayan or sea salt, on meals or in water or by consuming sodium-rich foods like bone broth.

Potassium: In a carnivore diet, aim for approximately 3500 mg of potassium daily. You can naturally obtain potassium from animal products such as meat and organ meat. However, supplementation is risky as it may lead to excessive blood potassium levels. 

Note excess potassium (>4,700 mg/day) risks hyperkalemia; prioritize dietary sources that are lower in potassium (e.g., beef heart: 300 mg/100g).

Practical Recipe: Carnivore Gatorade

Making an easy electrolyte drink at home allows you to meet your daily salt needs without spending much on expensive supplements. Here is a simple recipe of “Gatorade”:

Ingredients:

• Water: 1 litre (32 oz.)
• High-Quality Salt: ¼ - ½ tsp (to boost sodium content)
• Potassium Source: (a pinch of potassium chloride can be added—but most potassium should come from meat consumption)
• Magnesium Drops: A few drops to support muscle and nerve function

Directions:

• Add 1 litre of water and ¼ to ½ tsp of high-quality salt in a clean water bottle.
• Add a few drops of a liquid magnesium supplement.
• (Optional) If you wish to adjust potassium slightly via water, add a small pinch of potassium chloride; however, most potassium should come naturally from your carnivore meals.
• Shake well until all the items are fully dissolved.
• Drink it all day, especially before and after working out or when feeling dehydrated or muscle cramps.
• The "Carnivore Gatorade" can help balance sodium and potassium levels and keep the body hydrated by maintaining sodium-potassium balance.

Managing electrolytes on a carnivore diet helps prevent muscle cramps and dehydration. It also helps keep the metabolism working well and improves physical performance. 

6. Risks and Creative Solutions 

Choosing a carnivore diet, which only focuses on animal-based foods, may be challenging in terms of snack options and potential health risks. The balance between strict vs. lenient diet options and the choice between processed snacks vs. whole foods can impact overall health and sustainability. Thus, it is essential to consider these risks and explore creative solutions to maintain dietary balance.

• Overprocessed Snacks: In the carnivore diet, snack cravings are high. Overprocessed snacks are high in additives that may disrupt gut health and cause complications. A study by Gut (2023) on emulsifiers highlighted the effects of food additives on gut microbiota and showed that additives may disrupt the gut microbiota, negatively impacting the immune system.
• High Sodium: Processed meats are primarily high in sodium, which may increase blood pressure in some people and increase the risk of heart disease. Thus, it is essential to manage sodium levels in the body. To mitigate the risk, consume potassium-rich meat such as pork chops and salmon to lower the adverse effect of sodium.
• Boredom: 

A carnivore diet allows only meat-based products, which may lead to boredom and nutrient deficiencies. It makes it challenging for people to follow it for a longer period. 

Creative Ways to Mitigate the Risks:

These are some creative options to follow and stick to for longer. 

1. Choose whole, unprocessed meat and consume homemade jerky using lean cuts of beef, pork or poultry without added preservatives. 
2. To overcome this craving, you can bake chicken skin (meat chips) until crispy for a crunchy snack alternative.
3. Consume potassium-rich food for variety such as elk loin, venison, goat, buffalo and lamb. These healthy options provide 330 to 460mg of potassium per serving, which meets about 7-10% of daily requirements.
4. You can bake or air-fry salmon belly strips to diversify your meat options. These strips provide a crunchy texture to satisfy snack cravings. 
5. People can also consume organ meat, such as liver or heart, for a nutrient-dense option that adds variety to snacks and helps them to follow the carnivore diet for longer.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink diet soda?

No. Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners (e.g., aspartame) derived from plants, violating strict carnivore principles.

Are pork rinds compliant?

Yes, pork rinds comply with the carnivore diet as they are made from pork skin. They are allowed to be consumed if they are fried in animal fat and no additives are added. Pork rinds, like jerky vs. carb-heavy variants, are good sources of protein and fat in the carnivore diet.

How to store pemmican?

To store pemmican, tightly wrap it in plastic or parchment paper and keep it in a cool, dark place at room temperature. Proper storage of pemmican can last one year, depending on the quality and storage conditions.

Can I add spices to snacks?

In strict versions of the carnivore diet, the only spice that is allowed is salt. Some people also choose "carnivore-friendly" spices in flexible versions like black pepper, chilli flakes, or garlic powder in moderation,

Is raw milk carnivore?

People who follow a carnivore diet argue about raw milk. Although it comes from animal sources, it is often not allowed on strict carnivore diets because it contains lactose, a grain. Some people who follow this diet consume meat and animal fats. However, some types of the carnivore diet may include raw milk, especially if the main focus is on eating whole, uncooked animal foods.

Is butter coffee allowed?

Yes, butter coffee is allowed in a flexible carnivore diet and restricted in strict versions as it is plant-based. It provides energy and helps people to stay in ketosis.