16 Carnivore Diet Snacks To Keep You Full All Day

The carnivore diet is a way of eating that only includes animal products. The diet eliminates or restricts most plant foods, including grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans, and may lack essential nutrients necessary for overall health. Plenty of carnivore diet-friendly foods can be enjoyed as high-protein snacks.

Hard-boiled eggs are a simple and nutritious snack option for people following the carnivore diet. Eggs provide a good source of protein and essential nutrients like B vitamins, zinc, and selenium.

Two large eggs provide 10% of your daily needs for vitamin B6, which is required for more than 100 enzymatic reactions in the body.

Dairy products, like Greek yogurt, are permitted on the carnivore diet. Greek yogurt is packed with nutrients essential to health, including protein, B vitamins, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, and zinc. 

Greek yogurt contains about twice the amount of protein found in regular yogurt, making it a good snack option for people who want to boost their protein intake. An 8-ounce serving of Greek yogurt provides 22.7 grams of protein, while the same serving of regular yogurt contains just 11.9 grams.

Protein promotes feelings of fullness by slowing digestion and stimulating the release of satiety hormones, which can help support weight management.

Chicken is a versatile protein source that can be used in carnivore-friendly meals and snacks. It also provides several vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, zinc, and selenium.

To make a carnivore diet-approved chicken salad, mix shredded chicken with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, then add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. 

Sardines are small fish rich in flavor and many essential nutrients, including protein, vitamin E, iron, B12, and calcium.

One 3.75-ounce can of sardines covers over 343% of your daily needs for vitamin B12, a nutrient that supports brain function, metabolism, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Sardines are one of the best sources of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have powerful anti-inflammatory and heart-protective properties.

Canned sardines are shelf-stable, meaning you can keep them stocked in your pantry to always have a carnivore diet-friendly snack on hand.

Like sardines, tuna is a rich source of protein and omega-3 fats. Tuna also provides selenium, magnesium, and vitamins D, E, and B12, all of which play critical roles in health.

One can of tuna covers over 200% of your daily needs for selenium, a mineral that plays critical roles in immune and thyroid function and acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. People following the carnivore diet can make a filling tuna salad snack using canned tuna and mayo or Greek yogurt.

Kefir is a fermented yogurt drink rich in probiotics, such as lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Snacking on probiotic-rich foods, like kefir, can support gut health by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine. Probiotics can also protect against gut dysbiosis, an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in the gut.

In addition to probiotics, kefir is high in protein, vitamin A, vitamin B12, calcium, and several other nutrients. Enjoy kefir on its own or use it as a base for a carnivore-diet-friendly protein shake.

Cheese sticks, often individually wrapped, are a portable and filling snack. They can also be paired with other carnivore diet-friendly foods, like eggs and jerky. 

Cheese, such as cheddar cheese, is low in carbs but high in protein, fat (primarily saturated fat), vitamins, and minerals. One ounce of cheddar cheese covers 15% of your daily needs for calcium, a mineral that provides structure to the bones and teeth and is required for nerve and muscle function, hormone secretion, and healthy blood flow.

Red meat, like steak, is a staple food for people following the carnivore diet. Leftover steak can be a quick and filling snack option when you’re low on groceries. 

Steak is a good source of iron, a mineral needed for critical functions such as oxygen transport, hormone synthesis, and energy production. A 3-ounce serving of sirloin steak covers 10% of your daily iron needs.

Steak is also rich in protein, zinc, B12, and several other essential nutrients. 

Beef jerky is a shelf-stable, flavorful snack option for people following the carnivore diet. Since it doesn’t require refrigeration, it’s easy to take on the go for a quick nosh.

It’s important to choose beef jerky made without additives that aren’t allowed on the carnivore diet, like added sugar and soy. Beef jerky can also be high in added salt, which can be harmful to health if overconsumed. Some carnivore diet enthusiasts recommend making your own beef jerky at home using an oven or food dehydrator so you can be in control of what’s added to your jerky. 

Canned salmon is a filling, carnivore-friendly snack. Salmon is packed with protein, with a 3-ounce can providing 17.4 grams. The fish is also high in omega-3 fats, B12, B6, selenium, and potassium.

Salmon contains a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin. Studies show that regularly eating astaxanthin-rich foods, like salmon, can support brain health and may help protect against age-related health conditions, including cognitive decline.

Many people following the carnivore diet sip on bone broth between meals. Compared to regular broth, bone broth is much higher in protein, making it a more filling choice. 

One cup of chicken bone broth contains about three times more protein than the same serving of regular chicken broth. Bone broth also provides several essential minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Bone broth can be enjoyed at any time of day, including in the morning as a coffee replacement or as a soothing pre-bedtime drink. 

Turkey jerky sticks are a convenient snack to keep on hand if you’re following the carnivore diet. The pre-packaged sticks typically provide about 12 grams of protein and can be paired with other carnivore diet-approved foods, like cheese, for a filling snack. 

Turkey sticks can be taken on the go or stored in your purse, desk drawer, or car for a quick and easy snack option. 

Prepare shrimp in bulk to make carnivore-diet-friendly meals and snacks. Shrimp is low in calories but high in nutrients. A 3-ounce serving of shrimp contains just 84.2 calories but packs 20.4 grams of protein.

Shrimp is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, like iron, selenium, zinc, and vitamin B12. Like salmon, shrimp contains the antioxidant astaxanthin, making it a good choice for overall health.

Cottage cheese is a high-protein dairy product that can be enjoyed on the carnivore diet. A cup of cottage cheese contains 23.5 grams of protein, which can keep you full in between meals.

Cottage cheese also provides essential vitamins and minerals, like calcium, B12, selenium, and zinc. A cup of cottage cheese covers over 10% of your daily needs for zinc, a mineral needed for immune function, cell division, and protein and DNA synthesis.

Egg and cheese bites are a nutritious snack option for those following the carnivore diet. They can be prepared with other carnivore-friendly ingredients, like ghee, chopped steak, bacon, and cottage cheese.

Plus, egg and cheese bites can be made in bulk and frozen, then heated up any time you need a high-protein snack. 

Traditional smoothie ingredients, like frozen fruit, are off-limits when following the carnivore diet. However, you can still enjoy protein shakes and smoothies when following this animal-based way of eating. 

Some companies offer carnivore protein powders, which are made out of beef, egg whites, and other carnivore diet-approved ingredients. Blend up a protein shake using carnivore protein, Greek yogurt, and whole milk.

When you’re following the carnivore diet, there are a few things to keep in mind when picking out snacks:

• Choose full-fat dairy products: The carnivore diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carb way of eating. A core principle of this diet is to prioritize nutritious fat sources, such as full-fat milk and yogurt.
• Prioritize quality animal products: Most people who follow the carnivore diet prefer pasture-raised eggs, steak, and dairy products over conventional animal products because they’re richer in certain nutrients, like omega-3 fats and antioxidants.
• Double-check ingredient labels: Look out for ingredients and additives that aren’t allowed on the carnivore diet. For example, when purchasing dairy products or beef jerky, be sure you’re choosing items made without added sugar or fruit.
• Pick a variety of snack foods: Eating different foods like eggs, dairy products, seafood, poultry, and red meat will help you get a range of vitamins and minerals.

The carnivore diet is an eating pattern that only allows animal products, like red meat, seafood, dairy, and poultry. Though the carnivore diet is restrictive, there are plenty of snacks to enjoy while following this eating pattern, including hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, sardines, and bone broth.

Since this eating pattern eliminates plant-based foods, it may result in nutrient gaps. Talk to your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for guidance on how to meet your nutritional needs.