Carnivore Diet Tips for Eating Out and Traveling | Carnivore on the Go

What is the Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet, sometimes called the all-meat diet or zero carb diet, is an extreme elimination diet where people eat only animal foods and eliminate all plant foods from their diet. On a true carnivore diet, the only foods allowed are:

• Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, etc.
• Fish and seafood
• Eggs
• Dairy products like butter, cheese, and heavy whipping cream

All fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and plant-based foods are eliminated. The carnivore diet challenges the long-held nutritional belief that balanced diets require fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Origins of the Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet first started gaining attention in 2018 through the popularity of Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila, who claimed switching to an all-meat diet cured her severe arthritis, depression and other health issues. Since then, some people have tried this extreme diet hoping for similar dramatic improvements in inflammatory or autoimmune conditions.

Proposed Benefits of an All-Meat Diet

Very little research exists on the carnivore diet specifically. However, supporters list these possible benefits:

• Weight loss - As a very low carb diet, the carnivore diet promotes ketosis and reduces appetite, leading to easy calorie restriction.
• Reduced inflammation - Since all plant foods are eliminated, there's no exposure to food compounds supporters link to inflammation like lectins or salicylates.
• Improved mental health - Some report improvement in conditions like depression or anxiety due to removing possible trigger foods.
• Increased energy and performance - Very low carb diets help stabilize blood sugar and may provide sustained energy.

Criticisms and Health Concerns

Most health professionals have serious concerns about excluding all plant foods long-term:

• Lacking in fiber - Without fruits, vegetables or whole grains, fiber intake may be dangerously low on a carnivore diet.
• Higher disease risk - Studies link red meat and processed meat consumption to increased cancer and heart disease.
• Nutrient deficiencies - Vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, folate and other key nutrients may be lacking.
• Disordered eating - Some experts argue the restrictive nature of the carnivore diet enables eating disorder behaviors.

If you have a diagnosed inflammatory, digestive or autoimmune condition, work with your doctor on an elimination diet plan that includes nutrient-dense plant foods whenever possible.

Is the Carnivore Diet Sustainable While Traveling or Eating Out?

Maintaining any extremely limited, restrictive diet is challenging enough day-to-day. But people who travel frequently or eat out for work may wonder if staying carnivore is realistic or even possible.

The good news is that if you understand potential pitfalls and plan accordingly, you can stay committed to your all-meat carnivore lifestyle even when traveling or eating on the go. Here’s what you need to know.

Challenges of Dining Out on the Carnivore Diet

Traveling while carnivore comes with unique obstacles that require thoughtful solutions. Here are common issues carnivores need to navigate when not cooking at home:

• Limited menu options - Most restaurants offer almost no carnivore-approved foods beyond a basic meat entree.
• Risk of cross-contamination - Vegetables, oil and other non-carnivore items may touch or mix with your food.
• Social pressure - Friends, family or coworkers may question or pressure you to break from your diet.
• Alcohol temptation - Beer, wine and cocktails aren’t typically carnivore compliant.

Additionally, those following the carnivore diet strictly limit dairy. Butter may be allowed, but milk, soft cheese, yogurt, sour cream and other dairy foods could be off limits.

Tips for Ordering at Restaurants

Ordering at a restaurant requires some creativity. Here are tips for piecing together a carnivore-friendly meal:

• Choose grilled, roasted, sautéed or broiled beef, poultry, pork or fish.
• Request no oil, butter or other visible fats since dairy allowance varies.
• Ask for steamed or roasted non-starchy veggies on the side to be picked around or left behind.
• For salads, order protein on a bed of lettuce with oil-based dressing omitted.
• Double check ingredient lists of soup broths and dressings.

Politely emphasize to your server that you cannot have hidden sugars, starches, oil or non-approved ingredients touch your plate due to food allergies or sensitivities. This helps prevent cross-contamination.

On-the-Go Carnivore Diet Friendly Snacks

Having satisfying snacks packed means less temptation to grab convenience store items like candy bars or chips when hunger hits.

Ideal high protein carnivore snacks for your purse, locker, car or briefcase include:

• Beef or turkey jerky sticks
• Hard boiled eggs
• Nuts-free energy or protein bars
• Canned fish like salmon or sardines
• Pouches of olives or pickles
• Cheese crisps

For hydration between meals, black coffee, plain tea, sparkling water and mineral water are go-to carnivore diet drinks.

How to Stay Carnivore While Traveling

Whether hitting the road for a work trip or headed on vacation, travel makes sticking to restrictive diets exponentially harder. Here are pro tips for staying carnivore-compliant until you return home:

• Pack snacks - Bring approved jerky, bars, pouches of tuna, etc. wherever you go.
• Research restaurant options - Scope out steakhouses or burger joints at your destination.
• Book accommodations with kitchen access - Rent an Airbnb, VRBO, etc. for home cooking.
• Grocery shop - Stock up on carnivore basics like eggs and avocado oil upon arrival.
• Politely avoid group meals centered around carb-heavy cuisines if possible - Suggest meeting friends for walks or activities instead.

During long flights, call ahead for a low carb meal if offered. Otherwise, plan to fast or survive on snacks you packed.

One-Week Sample Carnivore Diet Meal Plan

Here is an ideal one week carnivore diet meal plan covering easy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack ideas while traveling or on the run:

Monday

• Breakfast: Fast or scrambled pasture raised eggs
• Lunch: Bunless bacon cheeseburger (no ketchup) plus side salad with oil dressing
• Dinner: Grilled chicken thighs and broccoli (eat around)
• Snacks: Beef sticks, olives

Tuesday

• Breakfast: Greek yogurt (if allowed) with berries
• Lunch: Cobb salad with carnivore protein & veggies picked around
• Dinner: Salmon fillet baked in foil plus asparagus (eat around)
• Snacks: Hardboiled eggs, cheese

Wednesday

• Breakfast: Fast or fry 2-3 pasture raised eggs in butter
• Lunch: Lettuce wrap burger/chicken breast
• Dinner: Broiled lamb chops
• Snacks: Tuna/chicken salad without filler, pork rinds

Thursday

• Breakfast: Greek yogurt (if allowed) with approved berries
• Lunch: Large chef salad with chicken, ham, egg and cheese
• Dinner: Grilled pork tenderloin plus side salad
• Snacks: Jerky sticks, cheese

Friday

• Breakfast: 3-4 pasture raised eggs any style
• Lunch: Bunless bacon cheeseburger/chicken plus veggies
• Dinner: Broiled salmon fillet plus cauliflower mash (without milk products)
• Snacks: Celery sticks with nut butter (if allowed), olives

Saturday

• Breakfast: Fast or fry pasture eggs in butter
• Lunch: Chicken wings with ranch dressing (if allowed)
• Dinner: Steak or lamb rack with salad
• Snacks: Hardboiled eggs, tuna salad without filler

Sunday

• Breakfast: Greek yogurt (if allowed) with approved berries
• Lunch: Burger patties/chicken thigh with lettuce wraps
• Dinner: Meat chili or sausage with peppers
• Snacks: Beef sticks, pork rinds

When dining out, use tips above to modify restaurant meals. Grocery shop or order Instacart/Walmart Groceries to obtain carnivore basics. Stock your fridge, hotel room, rental or camper kitchen according to your needs and cooking facilities.

Expert Tips for Thriving on the Carnivore Diet

Here’s your carnivore diet cheat sheet covering top tips for success from nutrition experts and seasoned carnivore veterans:

Keep it Simple

Stick with basic meat, fish and eggs prepared plainly without sauces or marinades when transitioning onto the carnivore diet or troubleshooting issues says Dana Hudepohl, RN and nutritionist. Start with beef, lamb, chicken, salmon and eggs and branch out from there.

Supplement Wisely

While carnivore coach Judy Cho recommends working with a professional on supplementation, she says most carnivores can benefit from magnesium, potassium and vitamin C supplements especially at first.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration helps hunger, energy and workout recovery according to Zach Murphy, carnivore business owner. He suggests mineral water or still water with Real Salt or similar sodium mineral supplement.

Learn From Other Carnivores

Connect with carnivore communities on social media or join forums to discover solutions to common issues recommends Tara Garrison, LCSW and carnivore coach.

Embrace Fat

Fat makes this diet sustainable says Judy Cho. She encourages ample nutritious animal fats like beef tallow, ghee, butter, bacon fat and duck fat to feel satiated.

Monitor Labs

Carnivore vitals doc Shawn Baker advises getting blood work done after 30, 90 and 180 days when starting carnivore to ensure no deficiencies or abnormalities.

Enjoy Carnivore Creativity

Spice approved foods with salt, herbs and spices and try interesting meats says Dana Hudepohl. She suggests bison, venison, duck, etc. Follow cravings as biofeedback.

Hopefully these tips help you stick to your carnivore principles despite hectic work, family or travel commitments!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.