The Lion Diet is a strict subset of the Carnivore Diet, focusing on ruminant meats like beef, lamb, and goat. This very low-carb diet (VLCD) pushes your body into ketosis, healing inflammation and boosting weight loss. While it may sound restrictive, we have provided a comprehensive Lion Diet menu with a free 30 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan to get you started.
Table of Contents
Show More
What is the Lion Diet?
Let's start with what a Lion Diet is. A Lion diet is a subset of the Carnivore diet, mainly consisting of ruminant meats, salt, and water.
You may be wondering what you can eat on a ruminant meat-only plan; we have you covered with 30 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan and a comprehensive Lion Diet menu with a free food list.
A variety of factors influence how much meat you should eat on your version of a Lion diet—your age, gender, activity level (both current and past), body composition goals (if any), medical conditions you may have now or previously had—but generally speaking:
I recommend aiming for somewhere around 2-4 pounds per day if you're trying out this new way of eating for yourself for the first time.
Focus on animal-based foods: The Lion Diet emphasizes the consumption of meat, fish, and other animal products. These foods are high in protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients like vitamins B12 and D.
Eliminate plant-based foods: The Lion Diet eliminates all plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts. The rationale behind this is that humans are not well adapted to digesting and absorbing the nutrients from plant-based foods.
Avoid processed foods: The Lion Diet emphasizes the consumption of whole, unprocessed animal products. Processed meats, like hot dogs and bacon, are not recommended on the Lion Diet.
Include organ meats: Organ meats like liver and kidney are nutrient-dense and are included in the Lion Diet. These foods are high in vitamins and minerals that are not found in muscle meat.
Hydrate with water: Water is the recommended beverage on the Lion Diet. Other beverages like coffee and tea can be consumed in moderation.
Want to start Carnivore?
Get Your Free Carnivore Starter Kit
✔ Ideal Body Weight Calculator
✔ Carnivore Sample Meal Plan
✔ Weekly Meal Ideas
✔ Carnivore Food Pyramid
✔ Carnivore Tips & Updates
✔ Carnivore Macro Tracker
✌ I created the Free Carnivore Starter Kit to ensure that everyone can begin their Carnivore journey, helping them achieve their health and weight loss goals. When you join, I will send you a weekly email that will provide you with all the essential tools and tips you need!
Thank you. Please check your email!
Please enter a valid email address.
P.S. Get ready for some Carnivore inspiration! 😉 By signing up you agree to the Privacy Policy.
What is Ruminant Meat?
Ruminant meat refers to the meat obtained from domesticated ruminants, such as cows, sheep, goats, and buffalo, which are known for their unique digestive system.
Unlike other animals, ruminants have a four-chambered stomach that allows them to ferment and break down tough plant matter, making it a rich source of protein. This unique digestive process also contributes to the unique flavor and tenderness of the meat.
What is a Ruminant Meat Diet?
A Ruminant Meat Diet is a type of diet where the primary source of nutrition is meat from ruminants, such as cows, sheep, goats, and buffalo.
This diet is high in protein and fat, with no carbohydrates and is a rich source of essential nutrients, including iron, B-vitamins, and zinc.
A ruminant meat diet can be extremely effective as an elimination protocol for chronic conditions such as pain, arthritis and neurological diseases, where a traditional carnivore diet is ineffective. Choosing high-quality, grass-fed, and organic options is recommended for optimal health benefits.
Lion Diet vs. Carnivore Diet
The Lion diet is a strict elimination protocol. This means it is similar to the Carnivore diet in that both are Very Low Carb Diets (VLCDs).
It's important to note that there are subtle differences between the two protocols.
The Carnivore diet allows for more foods than the Lion, including full-fat dairy products like butter and ghee, eggs, and meats from chicken and pork.
What is a Very Low-Carb Diet (VLCD)?
A very low-carb diet (VLCD) is a diet that restricts carbohydrate intake to typically below 30 grams per day, with no restrictions on calories.
Generally speaking, a VLCD works because it forces your body into ketosis—a state where you burn fat instead of carbohydrates for energy.
The goal is to force your body out of its usual reliance on carbs as its primary fuel source by drastically cutting back the number of carbs in your food; this forces your cells to use stored body fat for energy instead.
Lion Diet Food List
Here are the foods you can freely eat on a Lion Diet; it may seem restrictive, but we have a 30-Day Lion Diet Meal Plan, with complete step-by-step menus to get you started.
Foods To Eat
Here is the food list for the Lion Diet; it’s exclusively ruminant meats. You can eat these foods freely without restrictions or limits on your daily calorie intake. Here is a list of foods that are typically allowed on the Lion Diet:
Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, game meats (like venison and elk), and poultry (like chicken and turkey)
Organ meats: Liver, kidney, heart, and other organ meats
Eggs: Whole eggs, including the yolk and the white
Dairy (optional): Cheese and butter (in moderation)
Fruits: All fruits, including berries, apples, and bananas
Vegetables: All vegetables, including leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower
Grains: All grains, including wheat, rice, and oats
Legumes: All legumes, including beans and lentils
Nuts and seeds: All nuts and seeds, including almonds, cashews, and chia seeds
Processed foods: All processed foods, including bread, pasta, and snack foods
Lion Diet Benefits
Weight loss
Reduced inflammation
Improved insulin sensitivity
Eliminate plant toxins, including oxalates
Improved gut microbiome
Eating more beef can benefit you!
If you're considering eating more beef, it's easy to see why: beef is a good source of protein and contains many other important nutrients for your health.
Protein: Beef provides complete protein (all eight essential amino acids) that can help build muscle mass and support normal growth in children, teens, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Iron: Iron helps carry oxygen throughout the body. A deficiency can lead to fatigue and weakness; having too much iron may increase the risk of certain cancers, such as colon cancer. You'll get about 3 milligrams per 3-ounce serving of cooked lean beef (90% lean ground beef).
Vitamin B12: This vitamin helps maintain nerve cells, healthy blood cells (red blood cells), DNA synthesis (cell division), energy production from fats & carbohydrates as well as a proper nervous system function.
Zinc plays an essential role in immune function; it also supports wound healing by helping heal wounds faster.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 helps regulate homocysteine levels—an amino acid derived from methionine—which has been linked with heart disease prevention when kept at normal levels.
How to Start?
I'm sure you’re wondering how to start your own Lion Diet. Well, here are some tips and various meal plans to get you started:
Eat more beef. Grass-fed and grain-fed, the type of feed doesn't matter all that much (unless you're concerned about sustainability or ethics). What does matter is that you eat more red meat. Steak is great for this, but I recommend fatty cuts like short ribs and brisket.
Choose the right kind of steak, rib eyes and porterhouse are excellent options and typically have a 1:1 protein ratio.
1 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan
This is an easy starting point with a 1 Day Lion Diet plan to see if you like it. We also have a complete 30 Day Lion Diet menu if you wish to try it.
Breakfast: 80/20 ground beef
Lunch: Boneless short ribs
Dinner: Veal cutlets
7 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan
If you want to take it to the next level, try our this Lion Diet menu, with 2 meals a day, with minimal cooking. Cooking in bulk provides plenty of leftovers to enjoy the rest of the week. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce some intermittent fasting.
We’re sure after a week of feeding your gut and brain with nutrient-rich meats you will want to try the 30 day meal plan, coming up next.
Monday
Lunch: Rib Eye
Dinner: Lamb Sausages(Homemade)
Tuesday
Lunch: Sous Vide BeefBrisket
Dinner: Beef sliders
Wednesday
Lunch: Beef Burgers
Dinner: Left Over Brisket
Thursday
Lunch: Lamb Meatballs
Dinner: Lamb Roast
Friday
Lunch: Left Over Roast
Dinner: Veal Cutlets
Saturday
Lunch: Left Over Meatballs
Dinner: Ground Beef
Sunday
Lunch: Left Over Ground Beef
Dinner: Lamb Cutlets
30 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan
This 30-day meal plan is designed for those who want to commit to 30 days or even 60 days. This Lion Diet menu is simple and flexible. Feel free to move the meals around to suit your lifestyle.
You can shed many lbs thanks to experts and fellow Carnivores supporting you with success stories, private sessions, workshops, coaching and planning. Don’t hesitate to join the Community of the 5MB Carnivores now.
Week 01
Sunday
Lunch: Ground lamb
Dinner: Beef Burgers
Monday
Lunch: Rib Eye
Dinner: Flanken Beef Ribs
Tuesday
Lunch: Beef Meatballs
Dinner: Lamb Cutlets
Wednesday
Lunch: Left Over Meatballs
Dinner: Lamb Roast
Thursday
Lunch: Veal Strips
Dinner: Left Over Roast
Friday
Lunch: Lamb Meatballs
Dinner: Lamb Shanks
Saturday
Lunch: Veal Cutlets
Dinner: Rib Eye
Week 02
Sunday
Lunch: Rib Eye
Dinner: Veal Sliders
Monday
Lunch: Beef Back Ribs
Dinner: Ground Veal Slider
Tuesday
Lunch: Lamb Shank
Dinner: Left Over RIbs
Wednesday
Lunch: Veal Strips
Dinner: Beef Chuck Sausages
Thursday
Lunch: Lamb Loin Chops
Dinner: Flanken Beef Ribs
Friday
Lunch: Ground Lamb
Dinner: Lamb Shoulder Roast
Saturday
Lunch: Lamb Cutlets
Dinner: Left Over Roast
Week 03
Sunday
Lunch: Beef Burgers
Dinner: Veal Sliders
Monday
Lunch: Lamb Loin Chops
Dinner: Beef Chuck Sausages
Tuesday
Lunch: Roast Beef
Dinner: Lamb Shank
Wednesday
Lunch: Flanken Beef Ribs
Dinner: Left Over Roast
Thursday
Lunch: Ground Lamb
Dinner: Lamb Cutlets
Friday
Lunch: Beef Chuck Sausages
Dinner: Veal Cutlets
Saturday
Lunch: Lamb Burgers
Dinner: Beef Chuck Sausages
Week 04
Sunday
Lunch: Beef Chuck Sausages
Dinner: Left Over Roast
Monday
Lunch: Ground Lamb
Dinner: Lamb Cutlets
Tuesday
Lunch: Roast Beef
Dinner: Veal Cutlets
Wednesday
Lunch: Beef Chuck Sausages
Dinner: Left Over Roast
Thursday
Lunch: Beef Burgers
Dinner: Lamb Shank
Friday
Lunch: Flanken Beef Ribs
Dinner: Lamb Loin Chops
Saturday
Lunch: Veal Sliders
Dinner: Lamb Shoulder Roast
Best Healthy Snacks on the Lion Diet
If you’re looking for healthy snacks during the 30 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan, turn to any of the following:
Grilled roast beef slices
Lamb or beef sliders
Meatballs
Steak strips
Veal strips
Ground beef, veal, or lamb (about 2 oz)
How to Eat a Lion Diet at Restaurants?
At most restaurants, you can find a list of suitable foods for a Lion Diet on the menu. If this isn’t the case, don’t worry! It is easy to ask the waiter or chef if they can prepare something special for you. To have it cook quickly without adding unnecessary ingredients, focus on grilled or roasted ruminant meats.
Avoid sauces and dressings (even those labeled "healthy") because they usually contain hidden sugars that will ruin your Lion Diet efforts.
Lion Diet Shopping List
On the Lion Diet, you’ll eat a lot of red meat — beef and lamb. You can use all beef, goat, and lamb cuts for the main dishes in the meal plan. In addition to this, you must also eat mutton (sheep). Ensure you choose the fatty cuts of meat.
Supplements to Consider on a Lion Diet
The only supplement you may want to consider is some good-quality salt. I like Redmond’s Real salt, and you can get 10% off here or use code 5MB.
While red meat has been slandered in the media, correlating to heart disease and increased mortality. The opposite is true; red meat has the most nutrients your body requires for energy and metabolism. Since the USDA published the food guidelines in the 1980s, we have seen diabetes, obesity, and heart disease skyrocket. While at the same time, meat consumption has decreased.
From an evolutionary perspective, we survived predominantly on an animal-based diet. The growth of big agriculture and pharma has destroyed our physical and mental health. The choice is your long-term; eat for health!
Is Eating Beef Only Effective For Weight Loss?
The Lion Diet is not a miracle cure for weight loss. It's an eating plan that can help you heal inflammation, but it doesn't work overnight. This way of eating is designed to help you become healthier overall, eliminating toxins and anti-nutrients; it will allow your body to recover from decades of external poisons.
What Do The Experts Say about the Lion Diet?
Our Carnivore experts agree, like Dr. Robert Kiltz and Dr. Anthony Chaffee, if you can't get results on a Carnivore Diet, then trying a Lion Diet for just 30 days can make a world of difference in your healing and weight loss results.
You might be interested to check those related posts as well:
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about the Lion Diet, with a 30 Day Meal Plan and a complete Lion Diet Menu. Whether you want to try it as a lifestyle change or a way to lose weight, this diet has proven effective in helping people achieve their goals.
These Carnivore diet deviled eggs are among the easiest and yummiest Carnivore breakfast and brunch ideas. Click here to learn how to make these delicious eggs.
This Carnivore chicken liver recipe gives you a yummy and high-protein dish in only 10 minutes. Click here to learn how to make this delicious and healthy meal.
This Carnivore pork belly recipe gives you crispy cracks suitable for all meals, especially lunch and dinner. Click here to learn how to make this yummy dish.