There's a new diet out there that's creating a lot of beef in the diet and nutrition community.

The name says it all. The Carnivore Diet consists of eating exclusively meat, fish, and other animal products, including eggs and some dairy products. Put simply, minimal to no plants. Carnivore Diet advocates not only believe animal foods represent the best source of nutrients for humans, but plants are a source of many of today's health issues.

A diet consisting of nothing but meat may seem like it's made to grab headlines and nothing more, but a growing group of advocates, emerging literature, and persuasive testimonials make this a diet worth exploring. For a detailed explanation of the Carnivore Diet, visit our Carnivore Diet Explained guide. For a brief overview and additional resources, keep reading.

No surprises here. The Carnivore Diet limits all food intake to animal and animal products. This makes shopping pretty easy. In fact, one of the reasons the Carnivore Diet is growing in popularity is how easy it is to follow. Here's the list of acceptable foods on the Carnivore Diet:

• Meat: beef, lamb, pork, game, chicken, turkey, etc.
• Fish: salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, crab, etc.
• Animal Products: eggs, bone marrow, lard, bone broth, etc.
• Low-lactose dairy products (in small amounts): butter, heavy cream, hard cheese, etc.  
• Seasonings (with no carbs): salt, black pepper, etc.
• Water

This is where things get a little more complicated. By design, the Carnivore Diet restricts many common snacks and foods. Here's a list of things that you can't have when following a Carnivore Diet:

• Fruits: apples, oranges, bananas, berries, etc.
• Vegetables: asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, peppers, etc.
• High-lactose dairy: soft cheese, milk, yogurt, etc.
• Legumes: beans, lentils, etc.
• Nuts and seeds: walnuts, almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, etc.
• Grains: oatmeal, wheat, bread, rice, quinoa, etc.
• Alcohol: beer, wine, liquor, etc.
• Sugars: white sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.
• Beverages other than water: coffee, soda, tea, juice, etc.

Carnivore Diet purists eliminate all seasoning except for salt because seasonings like pepper, garlic powder, and paprika are plant based. For most on the Carnivore Diet, salt, pepper, and other seasonings that do not contain sugar or carbs are permissible, but a truly Carnivore Diet restricts plant-based seasoning.

While the health benefits of the Carnivore Diet are very much up for debate, there is a growing group of advocates who credit the diet with incredible improvements in their health. Some reported benefits include:

• Weight loss
• Increased bodily health
• Optimized cognitive function
• Reduced inflammation
• Increased testosterone
• Reduced digestive issues

If these benefits look familiar, it's because an all meat diet impacts the body in a similar way to the Ketogenic Diet—shifting the body's main energy source from carbohydrates to fats can accelerate weight loss.

It is worth mentioning that these benefits are anecdotal and self-reported. To date, there is no clinical evidence of the benefits of the Carnivore Diet. With that said, while the research on Carnivore Diet benefits is limited, it is growing through the efforts of its advocates.

The verdict is still out on the Carnivore Diet.

The reported benefits and testimonials present a compelling case to consider this radical diet, but there is an equal number of critics as well. Any radical diet comes with risk and we recommend consulting with your doctor before making any decisions.

Our goal is to provide you with as much information as possible so you can see if it's right for you! And if you're ready to start your Carnivore Diet journey, we're here to support you! To that end, we've found that our Old Fashioned Original beef jerky is one of the best Carnivore Diet snacks.

This all-natural jerky is handcrafted in small batches with three simple ingredients: 100% Angus Beef, Water, and All-Natural Spices - making it the perfect Carnivore Diet snack.

Our Old Fashioned Original Beef Jerky is made with thick cuts of American beef, water, and seasoning (sea salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic), then slow-cooked for a minimum of five hours. The cowboy-style cuts of jerky enhance the rich meat flavor for a thick jerky with a great chew. The Old Fashioned line hasn't changed much in the past 90 years. A family jerky recipe dating back to the 1920s has been updated with all-natural ingredients and a simplified process to create a jerky that celebrates the BEEF in beef jerky. It's what carnivores crave, and it's what real beef jerky is all about!

Our Carne Seca Machaca Jerky Chew features the same minimal ingredient list as the Old Fashioned Original, and it's cooked in the same slow fashion. Once dried, the thick-cut jerky is shredded to a fine & airy consistency. Our Carne Seca Machaca can is great to chew on when you get a beefy craving and can also be used as an ingredient when cooking.

Check out our Carnivore Diet Breakfast Tacos Recipe!

Carnivores Love Our Jerky

“Being on the Carnivore Diet, it can be tough finding a snack that will satisfy your cravings. Thankfully, I found People's Choice. The Old Fashioned Original Beef Jerky is my favorite. It's healthy, portable, and delicious! ”

- Alex C.