Before we dive into which diet is better for weight loss and muscle gains, let’s clear up the basics.
The Carnivore Diet is exactly what it sounds like—strictly meat. If it didn’t come from an animal, it’s not on the menu. This means you’re eating beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs, and even animal fats. There’s no room for vegetables, fruits, grains, or any plant-based foods. It’s pure protein and fat, all day, every day.
The Keto Diet, on the other hand, is a low-carb, high-fat approach. While meat is a key player here, it also allows for vegetables, nuts, dairy, and a bit of fruit. The goal with keto is to put your body into ketosis, a state where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbs. To stay in ketosis, most people aim for about 70-80% of their daily calories from fat, with moderate protein and very few carbs (about 20-50 grams per day).
So the main difference is that Carnivore is all animal-based, while Keto still allows for some plant-based foods, as long as they’re low in carbs.