The Carnivore Diet and Fruits: Can I Eat Fruits on Carnivore?

What Is the Carnivore Diet?

The standard Carnivore Diet is a meat-based, low-carb lifestyle to reduce inflammation, melt fat, and shed extra pounds. Carnivore is a simple ketogenic diet, which doesn’t allow any plant-based products.

The Carnivore Diet avoids plants and other carbohydrate sources to induce and maintain ketosis, a fat-burning state where your body relies on fat (ketones) stored in the body for energy instead of sugar (glucose).

Shifting to fat as the main energy source brings various health benefits, from reducing inflammation to gut health, improved immune function, better mood, and weight management.

To reach the state of ketosis and these health benefits, you need to avoid certain foods and consume some others.

Learn More: The Carnivore Diet: Is It Healthy? Benefits and Side Effects

Foods You Can and Can’t Eat on the Carnivore Diet

Although there are various variations of the Carnivore Diet, the standard Carnivore allows:

• Ruminant Meats: Beef, lamb, pork, game meats, etc.
• Poultry: Chicken, turkey, duck, etc.
• Organ Meats: Liver, heart, kidney, etc.
• Fish: Salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, haddock, tuna, etc.
• Seafood: Shrimp, crab, lobster, scallops, oysters, clams, etc.
• Eggs: Whole eggs, including the yolks
• Limited Dairy: Cheese, butter, and heavy cream

But it avoids plant-based foods, including:

• Vegetables,
• Grains,
• Legumes,
• Nuts,
• Seeds, and
• Any other plant-derived foods, processed foods containing refined sugars, flours, vegetable oils, artificial additives, juice, sodas, and plant-based oils.

How about fruits? Can we consume them on the standard Carnivore Diet?

Learn More: How to Start a Carnivore Diet? When Should I Start?

Can You Have Fruits on the Carnivore Diet?

The short answer is no. The Carnivore Diet prohibits all plant-based products, so fruits are not allowed. But fruits are said to be the source of various nutrients and vitamins, so why are they not allowed on the Carnivore Diet?

The Downsides of Having Fruits on the Carnivore Diet

The biggest problem with fruits is fructose, carbohydrates, and the toxins they contain. Fructose is the natural sweetener in fruits, which makes them taste sweet. Although the fructose level differs among fruits, they all contain it.

Fructose can cause various problems in our body, including disrupting metabolism and biochemistry, which can lead to metabolic disease in the long term.

According to many healthcare professionals, including Dr. Anthony Chaffee, MD., these disruptions in metabolism can interfere with our hunger signals by blocking leptin and increasing ghrelin levels, which makes us feel more hungry than we really are and put our bodies into a fat-storing state instead of fat-burning.

Also, various studies show that carbohydrates can cause metabolic syndromes and metabolic disease, which can lead to many other health conditions like heart problems, inflammation, digestive issues, etc., [1] [2].

Additionally, plants and fruits contain toxic compounds that can be harmful to the human body if consumed too much. These phytotoxins can cause problems for the immune system, kidneys, and reproductive system, and even cause cancer [3] [4] [5].

So, the best way is to avoid fruits on the Carnivore Diet for the reasons mentioned above. But if you’re new to the Carnivore lifestyle and cannot cut fruits altogether at once, you need some ways to include fruits in the Carnivore Diet.

Learn More: Can You Eat Onions on a Carnivore Diet? [Expert Guide]

The Best Ways to Include Fruits on the Carnivore Diet

• Limited Consumption: Gradually minimize your consumption and eat small portions of low-fructose fruits, such as berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. These fruits have relatively lower fructose content than other fruits.
• Occasional Treats: Decrease your fruit consumption and eat fruits once or twice a week as an occasional treat.
• Pre-Workout Fuel: Some individuals may find that consuming a small amount of fruit before a workout provides a quick energy source. Use bananas or oranges, which contain natural sugars and can be easily digested.
• Pairing with Animal Products: Combine fruits with animal-based foods to balance out the meal. For example, eat small portions of salad with mixed greens, grilled chicken or steak, and a few slices of avocado or berries.

Anyhow, if you consume fruits for nutrients and vitamins, you should know that you gain the essential nutrients from animal-based foods and don’t have to use fruits.

Learn More: Female Carnivore Diet [30-Day Meal Plan, Results, and Recipes]

Fruits Alternatives on the Carnivore Diet

• Organ Meats: The liver, heart, kidney, and other organ meats are highly nutritious and provide essential vitamins and minerals that are often found in fruits, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and B vitamins.
• Bone Broth: It is rich in collagen, gelatin, and amino acids, found in some fruits, which support gut health, joint health, and overall well-being.
• Fatty Meats: Fatty cuts of meat like ribeye steak, pork belly, and lamb chops provide essential fats and calories that can help satisfy cravings for sweetness and provide sustained energy throughout the day. Also, beef, pork, and dairy products like yogurt and cheese contain potassium found in fruits like bananas, oranges, and avocados, which helps regulate blood pressure, muscle function, and electrolyte balance.
• Eggs: They provide high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and minerals without the sugar content found in fruits.
• Seafood: Fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and various vitamins and minerals. Including different seafood in your diet can provide nutrients similar to those found in fruits.

Learn More: Can You Eat Olives on a Carnivore Diet? Is It Healthy?

Conclusion

The Carnivore Diet and Fruits don’t usually go together because fruits contain fructose, carbohydrates, and toxins, which can harm the human body in various ways.

The best approach is to avoid fruits on a Carnivore Diet, but if you’re a Carnivore beginner, you can gradually minimize your consumption and choose low-fructose fruits.

Also, it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional to get personalized guidance and plans based on your specific needs and goals.