Are Processed Meats Part of the Carnivore Diet?

May 12, 2025

A common question that arises when people begin the carnivore diet is whether processed meats are acceptable to consume. For many, the idea of eating only animal products might seem straightforward, but the inclusion of processed meats introduces a layer of complexity. Some people enjoy the convenience and flavor of bacon, sausages, and deli meats, while others wonder if these processed foods should be avoided.

As with most dietary recommendations, the answer isn’t black and white. There’s a fair amount of nuance here, as the inclusion of processed meats can vary based on personal health goals, sensitivities, and preferences. What works for one person will not work for another, and there are important considerations to weigh when deciding whether to incorporate these foods into your carnivore diet journey.

Let’s dive into the factors that influence whether processed meats should be part of your carnivore diet. We’ll explore how to make an informed choice that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

What Is the Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet is a meat-focused eating plan that can be tailored to suit various health needs and individual preferences. It has different variations of this diet that offer many benefits:

Beef-Only Carnivore Diet: This variation focuses solely on beef. It is often used for its simplicity, particularly in elimination protocols targeting autoimmune or chronic conditions. While beneficial for addressing health concerns, long-term success requires incorporating other meats for a broader range of nutrients.

Lion Diet: The lion diet is a stricter version of the carnivore diet, limiting intake to just ruminant meat, salt, and water. It’s often used as an elimination diet, helping people identify food sensitivities by starting with the basics before gradually reintroducing other foods. This approach is particularly popular among individuals dealing with autoimmune conditions or gut health issues.

Nose-to-Tail Carnivore Diet: This variation advocates for consuming the entire animal, encompassing muscle meat and organs, for a more nutrient-dense approach. It’s essential to practice caution, especially for individuals with liver issues, as excessive consumption of specific nutrients like vitamin A and copper can lead to imbalances.

Meat-Only Carnivore Diet: The meat-only carnivore diet adheres strictly to muscle meats, excluding organ meats, dairy, and eggs. It serves as a basic elimination diet and can be a good fit for those who do well with muscle meat but choose to avoid other animal-based foods.

Zero-Carb Carnivore Diet: This variation focuses on foods that contain little to no carbs, primarily meat and animal fats, with the optional inclusion of dairy and eggs. It’s a good option for people who tolerate these foods well and aren’t dealing with autoimmune conditions.

Carnivore Keto Diet: The carnivore keto diet combines the low-carb focus of the keto diet with the animal-based simplicity of the carnivore approach. It centers on high-fat, low-carb foods from animal sources and is best suited for individuals who are metabolically healthy and have already addressed any major health issues.

Carnivore-ish Keto Diet: This diet adopts a more flexible approach by incorporating some keto-friendly foods while maintaining a focus on meat. It allows for food like low-carb sweeteners and nuts, making it a good option for people who are metabolically healthy and not struggling with food addiction.

Animal-Based Diet: The animal-based diet is a more inclusive take often associated with the carnivore diet. Along with animal products, it allows for foods such as fruits, honey, and raw dairy. This is typically better suited for people with strong metabolic health and isn’t ideal for those with underlying health issues, as it can carry certain risks. It also technically isn’t Carnivore or keto.

Finding the right variation is crucial for reaching your health goals, whether you’re aiming to manage a health condition or enhance overall wellness.

What Are the Benefits of the Carnivore Diet?

In recent years, the carnivore diet has been celebrated for its many health benefits. Here are some of the noteworthy benefits:

Weight Loss and Body Composition

One of the most widely reported benefits of the carnivore diet is weight loss. By eliminating carbs, particularly refined sugars and processed foods, the body shifts to burning fat for energy, which can result in noticeable fat loss. The high protein content also helps individuals feel fuller for longer, naturally reducing their overall food intake and supporting fat burning. Many people also experience improvements in body composition, including reduced body fat and increased lean muscle mass.

Improved Mental Clarity and Focus

Many individuals who follow the carnivore diet experience enhanced mental clarity and improved focus. This is due to the elimination of carbs, which can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes. Consuming a diet primarily composed of fats and proteins helps the body achieve a more stable blood sugar level, which can result in improved cognitive function. Some individuals also experience reduced brain fog and a greater sense of mental sharpness.

Gut Health and Digestion

The carnivore diet offers gut health benefits, particularly for individuals experiencing digestive issues. Removing plant-based foods eliminates fiber and certain compounds (known as anti-nutrients) that can irritate the digestive tract, leading to bloating, gas, or discomfort. For individuals with conditions such as IBS or other gut-related or autoimmune disorders, this practice helps reduce inflammation and support the healing process. Many people report noticeable relief from symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Enhanced Skin Health

Improved skin health is another common benefit, particularly for those struggling with acne, eczema, or psoriasis. This is because the diet helps reduce inflammation by eliminating processed foods, sugars, and certain plant compounds that can trigger irritation or sensitivity. The high intake of healthy fats and nutrients, such as omega-3s, found in animal products can support healthier, clearer skin.

Hormonal Balance and Improved Mood

The carnivore diet helps support hormonal balance, particularly for individuals experiencing thyroid issues or other hormone-related concerns. Cutting carbs and focusing on nutrient-rich animal foods can help the body better manage insulin levels, which is particularly beneficial for individuals with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. In our clinical practice, many report feeling better emotionally, with less anxiety and depression, which is linked to the steady blood sugar levels that come from a low-carb diet.

Muscle Growth and Recovery

The high protein content of the carnivore diet can support muscle growth and recovery, making it beneficial for those who engage in regular physical activity. Since protein is essential for repairing muscle tissue after exercise, a diet rich in protein helps ensure the body has the necessary building blocks for muscle repair and growth. Removing carbs and focusing on fats and proteins allows the body to enter a state of ketosis, which promotes fat-burning and improves exercise performance.

Autoimmune and Chronic Illness Management

The carnivore diet is also gaining attention as a therapeutic approach for managing autoimmune diseases and chronic conditions. Many people with autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis report noticeable improvements in their symptoms after switching to this diet.

Who Should Try the Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet offers a straightforward, nutrient-dense way to support better health. It emphasizes whole, unprocessed, animal-based foods, encouraging the body to thrive naturally. Many people find it helpful for simplifying their meals, addressing underlying health issues, and promoting overall wellness.

If you’re considering a significant dietary shift, it’s important to approach the carnivore diet with care and customize it to your personal needs and goals. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition or simply looking to feel your best, this powerful modality can help you focus on what truly nourishes you. For those ready to take charge of their health, the carnivore diet is a valuable option to consider.

Should I Eat Processed Meat in my Carnivore Diet?

When starting the carnivore diet, the inclusion of processed meats can be a point of debate. Generally, processed meat plays a small role in the diet. However, it is still important to prioritize the highest-quality, unprocessed animal-based foods that you can afford and enjoy.
The core of the carnivore diet revolves around whole cuts of meat, like beef, pork, chicken, fish, and eggs. These foods provide a rich array of nutrients, such as proteins, fats, and vitamins, which are essential for overall health.

Processed meats, such as sausages, bacon, and deli meats, can be part of a carnivore diet, but only in moderation. Eating them occasionally won’t usually set you back, especially if your overall diet is balanced.

The key is to pay attention to quality. We recommend choosing minimally processed, high-quality options that are free from harmful additives, such as preservatives, nitrates, and artificial flavors. These ingredients can cause inflammation or bring unwanted chemicals into your body.

There are some nuances and considerations to keep in mind when incorporating processed meats. While they can provide convenience and variety, the overconsumption of processed meats could lead to long-term health issues. Moderation is key, as relying too heavily on processed options can limit the intake of more nutrient-dense, whole animal products.

Considerations for Eating Processed Meat

While processed meats can offer convenience and variety, it’s necessary to consider factors such as quality, health history, and wellness goals. Let’s explore these details to help you decide if processed meats belong in your carnivore journey.

Processed Meat Ingredients

When deciding whether to include processed meat in your carnivore diet, it’s important to understand that not all processed meats are created equal. The ingredients found in these products can vary greatly, with some options being more suitable for your health than others.

The key is to choose higher-quality, minimally processed meats with fewer additives and preservatives, and steer clear of products containing harmful ingredients that could counteract the benefits of the carnivore diet.

Processed meats often contain a range of added ingredients beyond just meat. Here’s a look at some common additives and their potential health risks:

Preservatives: Many processed meats use preservatives to extend shelf life. Some of these compounds can contribute to inflammation in the body or disrupt the gut microbiome.
Added sugars: Sugar is often included in cured meats to balance flavor. Regularly consuming added sugars can increase the risk of metabolic issues like insulin resistance and weight gain.
Flavor enhancers (like MSG): Monosodium glutamate and similar additives are sometimes used to intensify taste. MSG has been linked with neurotoxic effects, metabolic disorders, obesity, and more.
Fillers and binders: Low-cost processed meats often include starches, flours, or soy proteins to bulk up the product. These can introduce potential allergens and other health risks while lowering the overall nutrient density of what you’re eating.
Artificial colorings: Certain cured or smoked meats use coloring agents to achieve a uniform, appealing look. These additives have limited nutritional value and, in some cases, have raised concerns about long-term safety.
Artificial and natural flavors: Natural and artificial flavors can contain undisclosed chemical compounds that can trigger sensitivities, disrupt the gut microbiome, or contribute to inflammation in susceptible individuals.

While nitrates and nitrites are commonly highlighted in discussions of processed meat risks, we’ll be covering those in detail in a separate article.

In the meantime, if you’re trying to eat more whole, nutrient-dense foods, consider choosing minimally processed or fresh cuts of meat. Reading labels carefully can help you avoid unnecessary additives and support better overall health.

Food Tolerances and Health Goals

When deciding whether to include processed meat in your carnivore diet, food tolerances and personal health goals should be key considerations. Although many processed meats seem like a good fit, they often contain non-Carnivore ingredients that can cause sensitivities or exacerbate existing health issues.

For example, some processed meats are made with additives such as sugar or soy, which are not part of a strict carnivore diet and can be poorly tolerated by individuals with specific food sensitivities or intolerances.

If you are using Carnivore to heal chronic illness or as part of a root-cause healing protocol, it’s necessary to choose foods that support your health goals. In situations like these, it is best to adopt a strict carnivore approach, avoiding processed meats that contain more than a few ingredients.

Meats packed with additives can introduce unnecessary factors that can slow down your healing. For those aiming to reduce inflammation or improve gut health, even a tiny bit of a non-carnivore ingredient could throw off the body’s balance.

There are a few minimally processed options that contain only two ingredients, such as Carnivore Snax. Paleovalley Beef Sticks is another example of a cleaner, minimally processed snack. You can also read this article about some of our favorite beef jerky options here.

It’s important to consider both your food tolerances and your health goals when deciding if processed meats should be part of your carnivore diet. For some, moderation and clean options are key, while others will find that sticking to strictly whole, unprocessed animal products is the best approach to support their overall health.

Histamine Considerations

Individuals with histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) need to be particularly cautious when consuming processed meats because these products are typically high in histamine. Histamine is a naturally occurring compound found in various foods, and it plays a key role in immune function. However, for people with histamine intolerance or MCAS, the body has trouble breaking down extra histamine, which can cause a wide range of systemic symptoms.

Processed meats, such as bacon, sausages, and deli meats, are often fermented or aged during production, which increases their histamine levels. For people with histamine sensitivity, these meats can worsen symptoms.

Managing histamine levels is crucial for individuals with histamine intolerance or MCAS because consuming high-histamine foods can lead to flare-ups and worsening symptoms. Due to this, we recommend temporarily limiting or even avoiding processed meats altogether for individuals affected by these conditions.

Eliminating foods that are high in histamine can help ease the load on the body’s histamine-processing enzymes and make symptoms easier to manage. Besides processed meats, other common high-histamine foods, such as aged cheeses, fermented products, and alcohol, also need to be limited.

It is also essential for individuals to understand that histamine intolerance and MCAS are often linked to underlying issues with the immune system, gut health, or other root causes. While limiting high-histamine foods can help manage symptoms, it is equally important to investigate the root cause of the intolerance.

Working with a trusted practitioner who specializes in these conditions can help identify and address the underlying issues contributing to histamine sensitivity. Individuals can find more effective ways to manage their symptoms while supporting overall health by balancing diet with targeted treatments and interventions.

Food Addiction

For individuals who have struggled with food addiction in the past or currently, including processed meats in their carnivore diet requires careful consideration. Food addiction is characterized by the compulsive overconsumption of certain foods, in part due to their highly palatable and addictive qualities.

Processed meats, with their bold flavors, salty taste, and addictive additives, can be especially challenging for people who have struggled with food addiction. Some individuals enjoy them in moderation without issues, but for others, even a small bite can trigger overeating or cause them to stray from their diet completely.

The key to navigating this challenge lies in understanding whether you are a “moderator” or an “abstainer.” Moderators are individuals who can enjoy certain foods in moderation without experiencing cravings or losing control over their consumption. For these individuals, consuming processed meats occasionally will not pose any issues, and they can still maintain a balanced diet.

On the other hand, abstainers are individuals who, once they begin eating a particular food, find it difficult to stop, and they end up overeating or derailing their progress. If you tend to lean toward an abstainer mindset, it’s usually best to avoid processed meats altogether, since they can trigger emotional or physical cravings that undermine your progress.

Being mindful of your relationship with food is especially important on the carnivore diet, particularly if you have a history of food addiction. Pay close attention to how processed meats affect you. Do they trigger cravings, impact your mood, or make you eat more than you intended? Noticing these signals can help you decide if processed meats fit with your health goals.

If you find that they lead to unhealthy habits or make it harder to stick to your diet, it’s probably better to focus on whole, unprocessed animal foods that support a healthier balance with food. By being honest about your triggers and understanding whether you’re better off moderating or avoiding certain foods, you can make more informed choices and develop a balanced approach to the carnivore diet.

Closing Thoughts on Processed Meat and the Carnivore Diet

The quality of processed meat can vary significantly from one option to another, with some being significantly cleaner and healthier than others. Fortunately, there are now better choices available, such as minimally processed meats with fewer additives and preservatives.
While processed meats are still considered less-than-ideal when compared to whole, unprocessed animal foods, some can offer a more nutritionally balanced option with fewer health risks than many other processed foods and food categories.

It’s important to be practical and make your eating habits sustainable, especially when following a restrictive diet such as the carnivore diet. Suppose you tolerate and enjoy processed meats and have taken the necessary considerations into account, such as ingredient quality, your health goals, and food sensitivities, there’s no reason not to include them in moderation.

Life is about balance, and enjoying these options occasionally can be part of a healthy, sustainable approach to eating. Processed meats can be convenient and satisfying, so long as you’re mindful of their ingredients. Aim to choose cleaner, minimally processed options that align with your health priorities, and remember that the occasional indulgence in well-chosen processed meat is a reasonable part of a balanced diet.

Work With Our Trusted Carnivore Diet Functional Medicine Practitioners

Our Empower Functional Health practice is honored to be trusted carnivore diet functional medicine practitioners, supporting patients and clients from around the globe. We’re passionate about helping individuals achieve root-cause healing in order to live the life they are meant to, nearly symptom-free. We provide nutritional thought leadership and evidence-based insights, paired with clinical pearls, to help you achieve your wellness goals. We welcome you to explore our free resources, and if you find that self-troubleshooting falls short, we’re here to guide you with personalized support and protocols. Our Personalized Health Plan (PHP) is the ideal starting point for uncovering your root causes. You can learn more about this powerful, proprietary tool in-depth here.

DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only. While we are board-certified in holistic nutrition and are functional practitioners, we are not providing medical advice. Whenever you start a new diet or protocol, always consult with your trusted practitioner first.