One-Week Carnivore Diet Meal Plan: A Simple Guide to Animal-Based Eating By Miriam Rees
The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive yet increasingly popular dietary approach that focuses exclusively on animal-based foods while eliminating all plant foods. This means meals are built around meat, fish, eggs, and optional dairy products. While it may sound extreme at first, many individuals report benefits such as improved digestion, reduced inflammation, weight loss, and mental clarity when following a carnivore lifestyle.
This one-week carnivore meal plan is designed to provide structure, variety, and simplicity while staying true to the principles of animal-based eating. Meals can easily be adjusted based on your preferences, budget, or availability of certain meats and seafood.
What Is the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet centers on consuming only animal products, including:
- Beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and game meats
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs
- Animal fats such as butter, tallow, and lard
- Optional full-fat dairy like cheese or heavy cream (if tolerated)
All plant foods—including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and processed foods—are excluded. The goal is to focus on nutrient-dense, bioavailable foods while minimizing potential irritants found in plant-based foods for certain individuals.
One-Week Carnivore Meal Plan
Day 1
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs cooked in butter with crispy bacon
Lunch: Grilled ribeye steak
Dinner: Pan-seared salmon with shrimp sautéed in butter
Day 2
Breakfast: Cheese and ham omelet
Lunch: Beef liver sautéed in butter (optional seasoning: salt only)
Dinner: Roasted chicken thighs with crispy skin
Day 3
Breakfast: Hard-boiled eggs with salt
Lunch: Crispy pork belly
Dinner: Baked haddock finished with butter
Day 4
Breakfast: Beef sausage links
Lunch: Grilled chicken breast topped with melted cheese
Dinner: Lamb chops cooked in garlic butter
Day 5
Breakfast: Fried eggs with breakfast sausage
Lunch: Seared tuna steaks
Dinner: Bunless hamburger patties topped with cheese
Day 6
Breakfast: Eggs cooked in tallow or lard with pork rinds
Lunch: Smoked brisket or corned beef slices
Dinner: Roast duck with crispy skin
Day 7
Breakfast: Cheddar cheese omelet
Lunch: Meatballs made from ground beef, pork, or lamb
Dinner: Grilled bison steak finished with butter
How Much to Eat on the Carnivore Diet
One of the appealing aspects of the carnivore diet is that it does not require calorie counting or strict portion sizes. Instead, most people eat to satiety.
General guidelines include:
- Eat when hungry and stop when full
- Prioritize fatty cuts of meat for energy and fullness
- Don’t fear animal fats—they are a primary fuel source on this diet
Additional Tips for Success on the Carnivore Diet
Focus on Variety
While restrictive, rotating different animal proteins—beef, pork, poultry, seafood, and organ meats—helps ensure a broader nutrient intake.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Many carnivore followers also include bone broth to support hydration and electrolyte balance.
Salt Matters
Because carbohydrates are eliminated, sodium needs may increase. Lightly salting meals can help prevent fatigue, headaches, or dizziness.
Supplements (Optional)
Some people choose to supplement electrolytes or minerals, while others find supplementation unnecessary when eating a well-balanced carnivore diet.
Listen to Your Body
Every individual responds differently. Pay attention to digestion, energy levels, and overall well-being, and adjust food choices accordingly.
Is the Carnivore Diet Right for You?
The carnivore diet may be beneficial for individuals who:
- Struggle with digestive issues
- Experience inflammation or food sensitivities
- Prefer a simple, structured way of eating
- Are seeking weight loss or metabolic health improvements
As with any major dietary change, it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional—especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Final Thoughts
The carnivore diet offers a straightforward, animal-based approach to nutrition that removes many of the complexities of modern eating. This one-week meal plan provides a solid foundation to help you get started while allowing flexibility to tailor meals to your preferences.
Whether your goal is weight loss, improved digestion, or simply exploring a new way of eating, the carnivore diet can be a powerful tool for some individuals. As always, listen to your body, prioritize quality foods, and approach dietary changes with intention and mindfulness.
