What Is the Ketovore Diet?

September 1, 2025

Ketovore is a variation of the carnivore diet that blends the low-carb focus of keto with a heavily meat-based foundation. What makes it interesting is that there isn’t just one clear definition. Different people describe ketovore in different ways. For some, ketovore is a way to enjoy the benefits of ketosis while still leaning heavily on nutrient-dense animal foods. For others, it’s a flexible adaptation of strict Carnivore principles that allows for more personal experimentation.

What makes this diet intriguing is its balance between structure and flexibility, appealing to individuals seeking better metabolic health and individuals exploring food sensitivity clarity.

While interpretations vary, the central idea remains rooted in animal-based nutrition with a keto influence. Let’s explore what ketovore means, how it compares to related diets, and why understanding its variations is key to deciding if it’s right for you.

What Is Ketovore?

The following are ways ketovore is defined and followed as a dietary lifestyle. In one sense, ketovore is simply another name for a Carnivore keto or carnivore-ish keto approach. This version combines principles of keto eating while prioritizing animal-based nutrition.

Here, carbs are kept very low, typically under 20 to 50 grams per day, while eliminating sugars, grains, and ultra-processed foods. It offers flexibility for those who want the metabolic benefits of ketosis without following a completely strict Carnivore framework.

In contrast, ketovore can also refer to a high-fat carnivore diet. This version is much stricter, removing all plant foods entirely while focusing on consuming a higher proportion of fat from animal sources. The intention here is to optimize energy production and metabolic health through fat as the body’s main fuel.

These two perspectives show how the ketovore diet is not a single diet and more of a spectrum of practices, ranging from Carnivore-influenced keto to fully high-fat Carnivore eating, with room for personalization based on health goals and individual tolerance.

Ketovore vs. Keto

Although the keto diet and the ketovore diet share similarities, they differ in both food choices and philosophy.
Keto is primarily defined by its macronutrient (macro) ratios, with roughly 70–80% of daily calories coming from fat, moderate protein intake, and very low carbohydrate consumption. Within this framework, individuals often include a wide range of low-carb, high-fat plant-based foods such as nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, and certain vegetables.

The main focus is on maintaining a state of ketosis, where the body shifts from relying on glucose to primarily using fat for fuel.
The ketovore diet narrows the lens by prioritizing animal-based nutrition over plant sources. In the more flexible interpretation, ketovore still aims for ketosis but relies mostly on animal foods, allowing minimal plant inclusion and maintaining a much cleaner ingredient list. This means that ketovore relies on simple, whole, nutrient-dense foods without the extras that can complicate digestion or trigger symptoms.

Instead of relying on processed low-carb substitutes like nut flours, snack bars, or sugar-free desserts, the cleaner ketovore approach focuses on whole foods such as beef, eggs, fish, and poultry, with minimal additions like low-carb vegetables, avocado, olive oil, or coconut oil if tolerated.

In the stricter interpretation, ketovore becomes similar to a high-fat carnivore diet. This version eliminates all plant foods, ensuring ketosis is fueled exclusively by animal fats and proteins. The goal here is to reduce carbs and avoid plant-derived toxins altogether, such as oxalates, lectins, gluten, and phytochemicals, that trigger inflammation or digestive distress.

Ketovore vs. Carnivore Diets

Although ketovore diet builds on the same animal-based foundation as the carnivore diet, its goals and flexibility set it apart.
Under the more flexible interpretation of ketovore, the diet is essentially a Carnivore-leaning version of keto that still permits small amounts of low-carb plant foods. This contrasts with a true carnivore diet, which eliminates plants altogether and relies exclusively on animal-based nutrition.

By doing so, Carnivore removes plant-derived irritants. It also bypasses common exposures to plant-borne bacteria, molds, aflatoxins, and agricultural chemicals like glyphosate, while eliminating fiber that can aggravate digestive issues for some people. These differences can make Carnivore especially beneficial for individuals with autoimmune conditions, severe gut dysbiosis, or chronic inflammatory issues where even small amounts of plant matter can act as a trigger.

The stricter definition of ketovore frames it as simply a high-fat version of Carnivore, which is, in practice, just a way of labeling what many in the Carnivore space already recommend. A well-formulated carnivore diet typically emphasizes higher fat intake for most individuals, since dietary fat helps sustain ketosis, stabilize energy, and support hormone production.

Exceptions exist for people who can’t tolerate large amounts of fat, but in many cases, poor fat tolerance signals an underlying root cause, such as gallbladder dysfunction, pancreatic insufficiency, or unresolved gut health issues that need to be addressed.

In this way, ketovore can serve as a bridge between keto and Carnivore for some, but it is still Carnivore that offers the most comprehensive elimination strategy, removing dietary variables and environmental exposures that can silently contribute to chronic health problems.

What Foods Are Included in Ketovore?

The foods for ketovore diet depend largely on which interpretation of the diet someone follows. At its foundation, ketovore is animal-focused and low in carbs, but the range of permissible foods can shift depending on whether you embrace the more flexible approach or the stricter, fully animal-based version.

For the more flexible variant, ketovore resembles a Carnivore-leaning keto diet where animal foods form the bulk of the diet, but small amounts of select low-carb plants can still be included. This allows people to stay in ketosis while enjoying variety and flexibility without diluting the animal-based focus.

Animal foods as the base: Beef, lamb, pork, poultry, eggs, seafood (fatty fish, shellfish), and animal fats like tallow, suet, duck fat, butter, or ghee if tolerated.
Low-carb vegetables (optional): Leafy greens, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus.
Fermented vegetables: Sauerkraut, kimchi, or pickles (without added sugars or starches).
Plant-based fats (if tolerated): Coconut oil, avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil.
Other optional inclusions: Small portions of avocado, nuts or nut products (almond butter, almond flour in moderation), and very dark chocolate (≥85% cacao).
Seasonings: Herbs and spices in small amounts for flavor.

The stricter interpretation of ketovore strips away even the minimal plants, making it quite similar to a high-fat carnivore diet. The focus here is to achieve steady ketosis and minimize dietary irritants from plants. Foods commonly included are:

Fatty cuts of meat: Ribeye, brisket, short ribs, pork belly, and skin-on poultry.
Animal fats: Tallow, suet, lard, duck/goose fat, and dairy fats like butter, ghee, heavy cream, or aged cheeses (if tolerated).
Seafood: Salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, and shellfish for DHA/EPA and trace minerals.
Eggs: Particularly yolks for choline, vitamin A, and healthy fats.
Other inclusions: Collagen, gelatin, rich bone broths, and mineral-rich salt as the main seasoning.
Beverages: Water, mineral water, and optionally coffee or tea, based on individual tolerance.

The Benefits of the Ketovore Diet

The ketovore diet’s benefits vary depending on how strictly the diet is followed, but several key advantages stand out:

Nutrient Density from Animal Foods: The diet is rich in highly bioavailable nutrients such as heme iron, vitamin B12, preformed vitamin A, zinc, taurine, and omega-3 fatty acids. Animal-based nutrition ensures superior absorption compared to many plant-based sources, supporting energy, hormone health, brain function, and immune resilience.

Flexibility and Variety: Small amounts of keto-friendly foods like avocado, olive oil, or low-carb vegetables can be included for flavor and variety, depending on the person. It is also more sustainable for individuals who enjoy diversity without relying on processed keto products. It is particularly suitable for those who are generally healthy and don’t struggle with food addiction or strong carb cravings.

Therapeutic Power: When defined as a high-fat Carnivore, ketovore removes all plants and centers exclusively on animal fats and proteins, which eliminate plant anti-nutrients and irritants that improve digestion, autoimmune symptoms, and chronic inflammation. Higher fat intake also promotes stable ketosis, enhancing brain function, mood stability, and metabolic efficiency.

Adaptability Across Health Goals: The diet can serve as a flexible, balanced option for healthy individuals or as a therapeutic, high-fat elimination strategy for those seeking deeper healing and optimization.

Considerations for Ketovore

Ketovore diets require considerations, and some individuals find that adjustments are needed to make it sustainable. For those with chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, or significant gut issues, a stricter carnivore diet can be more effective in the short term.

Even small amounts of low-carb plant foods allowed in the more flexible version of ketovore can sometimes be problematic. In these cases, a period of full elimination can provide stability, with the option to gradually reintroduce keto-friendly foods once healing progresses and tolerance improves.

Another point to consider is how ketovore fits for individuals with sugar or food addiction tendencies. While foods such as avocado, nuts, or dark chocolate can offer variety, they can also increase the likelihood of overconsumption or serve as stepping stones back to less beneficial eating habits. For individuals in this category, remaining on a more structured carnivore diet until greater stability is achieved can be a more practical choice.

For those interpreting ketovore as a high-fat Carnivore plan, fat adaptation can present challenges. Some people transition smoothly to higher fat intake, while others experience digestive discomfort such as nausea or loose stools. Temporary supports, including ox bile or lipase, are useful during this adjustment phase. However, if difficulty with fat persists beyond three to six months, it warrants further evaluation.

Working with a knowledgeable practitioner familiar with Carnivore and ketovore approaches can help someone handle these challenges, identify root causes, and tailor the diet to individual needs.

Closing Thoughts On Ketovore

Whether you eat keto or ketovore, the goal really should be finding a way to support your individual needs. What matters most is finding a way of eating that works for you instead of strictly defining a diet over time.

What truly matters is how the diet works for you, your health history, and your long-term wellness goals.

For some, including small amounts of keto-friendly foods brings variety and flexibility while keeping animal-based choices a priority. For others, particularly those with digestive sensitivities or chronic conditions, a stricter Carnivore version can be more appropriate, at least for a time.

Both options can offer benefits when tailored thoughtfully and applied in a way that feels sustainable.
The most important step is to pay attention to how your body responds. What works for one person is not the right fit for another, and adjustments are often part of the process.

With a focus on personalization, the ketovore diet can serve as either a long-term foundation or a stepping stone toward greater resilience and food freedom.

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.