We all get that craving for a snack, and if you are trying the carnivore diet, then you know not all snacks are carnivore approved. Here we have sourced our favorite carnivore diet-approved snacks!
Before we begin, I need to tell you that these are my faves when it comes to snacks. Yes, I actually buy everything on this list, and it has taken me some time to figure out the best.
What Qualifies a Carnivore Diet Snack?
What’s the carnivore diet? In the simplest terms, it’s the “ultimate elimination diet.”
We eliminate plant foods, processed foods, seed oils, and sugar and only eat animal products like steaks, burgers, bone broth, and sometimes dairy.
Not all snacks are created equal, and that’s why we need to set up our snack standards. If you are on the carnivore diet, you need to be strict.
We can’t be eating sugar, seed oils, soy sauce, teriyaki, flour, and certain spices.
Keep your snacks meaty!
When to snack?
If you are a carnivore purist, you are most likely eating meals until fully stuffed, and because the meals are loaded with good fats and plenty of protein, you shouldn’t be getting hungry for some time.
That being said, you may catch a craving here and there.
Most carnivore diet proponents say to try to wait for your next meal, but if you need to snack, then go for it…obviously make sure it’s carnivore approved.
Personally, I use snacks somewhat frequently due to job situations, heavy workouts, or when I am out and about at social events, i.e., parties, conventions, and places where carnivore-approved meat isn’t available.
So yeah, snacks can come in handy and help with succumbing to sneaking in non-approved food like candy bars, processed health bars, or the brownies your co-workers brought in to work.
When Not to Snack?
If you want to sleep well, cut off eating in general about 2-3 hours before bedtime. This counts for snacks too.
I’ve had sleep problems for many years, and when I stopped eating snacks before bed, I found it improved my sleep quality.
The Snacks!
These are the snacks I like and eat regularly.
Carnivore Crisps
Finally, a solid small company sources its meat from reputable farms and only includes meat and salt in its recipe.
Carnivore Crisps make a tasty dehydrated meat snack perfect for the carnivore lifestyle. Plus, they use different animal meats and cuts that keep it nutritious and delicious.
This is what I’m talking about:
Check them out and use this link to receive a first-time 10% discount, or type in WILD at checkout.
Sardines
Yes, I know if you are new to sardines, this sounds a little weird and possibly gross. These guys have had a bad rap.
However, sardines are loaded with protein, nutrients, and minerals.
Most nutritionally savvy people like sardines as a go-to for snacks and seafood because they are small fish having lived short lives, which means they may have less mercury contamination.
Nutritional highlights of 85 Grams of Sardine:
- 12 grams of fat
- 22 grams of protein
- 1700mg of Omega-3
- 15% RDA of Vitamin D
- 87% RDA selenium
Sardines are loaded with B-12 vitamins as well as a bunch of others.
The key is to buy sardines in water and not in oil. Be careful; you can find them in olive oil, sunflower oil, or even tomato sauce.
Wild and sustainably caught sardines are far superior.
My go-to brands of (in-water) sardines:
- Safe Catch Wild Sardines, Skinless & Boneless, Packed in Water, Mercury Tested, 4.4oz (Pack of 12)
- Wild Planet Wild Sardines in Water with Sea Salt, Keto and Paleo, 4.4 Ounce (Pack of 12)
- Season Sardines in Water, No Salt Added, 4.375-Ounce Tins (Pack of 12)
Sometimes I add a little extra salt for flavor and get a little extra electrolyte burst into my system.
I only use Redmond Real Salt, as it’s the best I could find.
Their salt comes from an ancient sea bed in Utah, so it’s most likely free of microplastics and toxins, which can be found in salt sourced from the ocean.
Plus they give our readers a 15% discount. You can type in WILD at checkout or use this link: Redmond Real Salt.
I should also mention they just added a carnivore diet-approved electrolyte mix called Re-Lyte.
You mix it with water, and this is great for pre or post-workouts or if you sweat a lot, like me.
Tuna
Yes, to us carnivores, tuna is a snack.
I bring a can of tuna on longer car trips and keep a stash at my office. This is my go-to for a reasonably inexpensive snack that will take care of hunger pangs.
Nutritional highlights of 85 grams of light tuna:
- .5 grams of fat
- 22 grams of protein
- 100% RDA of selenium
- 15% RDA of Vitamin D
Tuna, like sardines, contains B-12 and a host of other vitamins.
I believe tuna is less nutritionally potent as compared to sardines, but it’s slightly better on your breath.
So if you plan on being around other people, perhaps tuna should be the go-to.
My go-to brands:
- Safe Catch Wild Albacore Tuna No Salt Added, 6 Piece The Only Brand To Test Every Fish for Mercury
- Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna, Sea Salt, Keto and Paleo, 3rd Party Mercury Tested
Pork Rinds
Pork rinds are so tasty and have had a bad rap since the days of the standard American diet.
However, now that you may be going carnivore, they are good to go and even encouraged to eat.
I can only recommend two brands, 4505 Chicharrones, and Epic Brand, because those are the only ones I have tried.
Most brands have seasoned pork rinds, but it’s minimal.
I have a sensitive stomach and haven’t had an issue, but if you are going super strict without added flavors, then you may need to keep searching.
Jerky
Out of all the jerky, I prefer beef jerky. Turkey, venison, antelope, and hog are great, but I love the taste of beef.
Here’s the thing. It’s not always easy to find jerky that hasn’t been tarnished by added ingredients.
Most mass-produced jerkies are loaded with sugar, soy sauce, and other spices.
However, salt is ok and even encouraged!
If staying on a clean carnivore diet is essential, always check the ingredients, especially if you keep drinking protein shakes. This even includes chewing gum, as it usually has potentially harmful ingredients….sorry got off track.
Farmers’ markets are a great place to find sugar-free and unmolested jerky, so if you are out and about, support your local butcher/farmer.
My go-to easy-to-order brands of jerky:
- People’s Choice Beef Jerky – Old Fashioned – Original – Sugar-Free
- KETO CARNE – 0g Carb – 0g Sugar – Sugar-Free – Gluten Free – Soy Free
Meat Sticks
Meat sticks are very similar to beef jerky but much easier to eat. Most brands of beef sticks have added spices or hidden ingredients, so be sure to check the ingredient list.
I have yet to find a beef stick without added spices. However, I think that if your stomach is able to handle a little extra spice like pepper, then why not.
But I am warning you; these brands are not fully carnivore approved!
Here are my easy-to-order suggestions:
- CHOMPS Grass Fed Beef Jerky Meat Snack Sticks – Sugar Free
- People’s Choice Beef Jerky – Small Batch – Sea Salt & Peppered Beef Stick – Sugar-Free
The Guilty Beef Stick Snack
Now these are not for the strict carnivores, but damn, these are tasty. If you are trying to stay rigid, then pass these by and keep reading.
If you believe your stomach can handle a little seasoned meat snack, then try these. These are called pork sausages but are very similar to meat sticks, just smaller.
- Duke’s Hatch Green Chile Pork Sausages (Dukes has other flavors, but Green Chile is my favorite.)
Biltong
South African countries perfected the preservation of meat and called it Biltong. It’s very similar to jerky, but from what I have experienced, it’s more of a thoroughly dried meat, and the pieces are slim.
Kalahari brand best describes Biltong as “a centuries-old South African tradition of naturally air dyed meat, spiced with simple ingredients and then thinly sliced.”
“Imagine a tender cross between dry-aged beef, jerky, and prosciutto.”
It tastes great, and I always have some at the ready. However, these brands I recommend include seasonings.
Warning: Kalahari brand is lightly seasoned with salt, vinegar, coriander, black pepper, and chili powder. The Brooklyn band is seasoned with Apple Cider Vinegar, sea salt, dehydrated garlic, and black pepper.
EPIC Bars
Epic brand is awesome for meat snacks, but most of their snacks contain seasoning fruit or something that would disqualify it from a strict carnivore diet.
Yet I believe they are worth mentioning, and if you are not super strict, then, by all means, try them out.
Epic has numerous products, but I will recommend the ones I like. Also, I should mention their beef is grass-fed.
- EPIC Beef Bacon Bars (2 grams of sugar.)
- EPIC Venison Sea Salt & Pepper Bars (2 grams of sugar.)
- EPIC Bison Bacon Cranberry Bars (6 grams of sugar.)
Epic also has a variety pack of all different meats like beef, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, salmon, and wild boar. If you’re feeling adventurous, then maybe that’s a fun option.
What to drink?
You may be asking what can you drink? Well, we wrote an entire article on carnivore diet-approved drinks and one with our top four favorites, and no diet soda is not included.
One of our favorite drinks contains a supplement concoction that may help with keto/carnivore flu.
You can get those details here:
- Top 4 Carnivore Drinks for the Carnivore Diet
- What Can You Drink On a Carnivore Diet?
Regenerative Farms
The environment is super important, and supporting our farms that practice regenerative, environmentally safe farming is the best, and that’s why I definitely have to recommend these farms.
White Oak Pastures is the only one with jerky available that I could find.
- White Oak Pastures (10% Discount)
Closing Statements on Snacks
Personally, I mainly use sardines, tuna, Carnivore Crisps, and jerky as my go-to for snacks.
I absolutely avoid anything with sugar. Sometimes I’ll have something with seasoning, but that can ruin my day if it’s too strong. However, some people on the carnivore diet do fine with a little spice.
Carnivore Community
If you are looking for some carnivore friends, then I would suggest a Facebook group called World Carnivore Tribe. There you can ask questions and see how other people are doing with this crazy way of eating.
Also, if you want some amazing testimonials, I suggest checking out MeatRX. There you will find some amazing transformations.
Thanks for reading, and I wish you luck on your nutritional journey.
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. Consult with and ask your doctor about any diet or medical-related questions. No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition.
