carnivore diet south africa

CARNIVORE DIET

food list

The Ultimate Carnivore Diet Food List: What to Eat for Optimal Health

Forget the fads.
This is how humans were meant to eat — pure animal nutrition, rooted in biology, not marketing.

The carnivore diet strips away the noise and brings you back to real food:
★ Meat
★ Fat
★ Organ meats

Foods that nourish your body at the deepest level.

From nose to tail, this is your definitive guide to carnivore-approved foods — including nutrient-dense meats, organ cuts, animal fats, and essential tips for sourcing quality options in South Africa.

MEAT

  • Beef (steaks, mince (NOT ground beef which contains soy), biltong, ribs, liver, heart)
  • Pork (bacon (sugar-free), chops, belly, ribs)
  • Lamb (chops, ribs, shank, shoulder, liver)
  • Chicken (whole chicken, thighs, wings, breasts, liver)
  • Venison (kudu, springbok, impala, venison, ostrich, etc)

FISH

  • Snoek, yellowtail, hake, kingklip, garrick, Cape salmon, mackerel, pilchards, tuna, cob, anchovies, sardines

SHELLFISH

  • Prawns, crayfish, mussels, oysters, crab, lobster, abalone, clams, squid, octopus

EGGS

  • Chicken, duck, goose, ostrich, quail

DAIRY (if tolerated)

  • Milk (full fat), cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, feta, greek yoghurt, butter, cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta, camembert, brie, edam, parmesan, sour cream.

ANIMAL FATS

  • Beef tallow, butter, pork lard, chicken fat (schmaltz), duck fat, bone marrow, ghee

ACCEPTABLE OILS

  • Olive oil, coconut oil

ORGAN MEATS

  • Beef liver, heart, kidneys, tripe
  • Lamb liver, heart, kidneys, tripe
  • Pork liver, heart, kidneys, tripe
  • Chicken liver, heart

SNACKS

  • Biltong (without sugar or additives)
  • Droëwors (sugar-free)
  • Pork crackling
  • Bokkoms
  • No nuts, BUT if you must, macadamias (high in fat, low in carbs and low in oxalates)

BEVERAGES

  • Water (still or sparkling)
  • Black coffee (without milk or sugar) – milk has too much lactose (sugar)
  • Bone broth
  • Meat-based broths (beef, chicken, lamb)
  • Collagen or gelatin drinks (animal-based)

SALT (unrefined)

  • Sea salt
  • Himalayan salt
  • Celtic sea salt
  • Kosher salt
  • Rock / mineral salt
  • Desert / Kalahari salt

PERMITTED SPICES

  • Pepper (white recommended – less oxalates)

If you absolutely must use herbs and spices to season your meat on the carnivore diet, use them sparingly. Some recommended selections include tarragon, dill, parsley, cilantro, mustard, cayenne pepper, cumin, coriander, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Pure herbs and spices only! Check labels.

★ Let me know if I missed something!