The 10 Best High-Fat Carnivore Snacks

What to Look for in High-Fat Carnivore Snacks?

Finding snacks for the Carnivore Diet is easy if you know what to look for. When searching for the best Carnivore Diet snacks, focus on simple and minimally processed options with the following features:

• High Fat Content
• Moderate Protein Content
• Low Carbohydrate Content
• Made from Meat-Based Ingredients

To choose the best Carnivore Diet snacks, you need to understand why these factors matter.

High Fat Content

Fat serves as the primary energy source in the Carnivore Diet. When you consume more fat and minimal carbohydrates, your body enters a ketosis state, i.e., burning fat for energy instead of glucose.

Ketosis can boost energy levels, reduce hunger, and improve mental clarity. Additionally, using fat as the main energy source can help manage weight and support metabolic health [1].

In addition to ketosis, high-fat foods slow down digestion, keep you satisfied longer, reduce overall calorie intake, and help with weight management [2].

Also, fat is essential for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, which are crucial for immune support, bone health, and antioxidant activity [3]. 

These are the reasons the Carnivore Diet focuses on consuming foods rich in healthy fats. In addition to foods, you can use Carnivore-friendly snacks to add variety in your diet and increase the intake of fat and protein.

When selecting snacks, look for options that are at least 50% fat, such as cream cheese, fatty cuts of meat, and high-fat dairy products [4].

Moderate Protein Content

Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass and supporting many bodily functions, such as immune function and hormone regulation [5].

Protein is also important in producing enzymes and hormones, which regulate various bodily processes, including metabolism and mood [6].

In a Carnivore Diet, it's better to aim for snacks that provide moderate protein, around 10-20 grams per serving.

You have many snack options like beef jerky, hard-boiled eggs, meat sticks and small servings of cheese can also provide the amount of protein you need.

To learn how much protein you need, you can visit a nutritionist or you can check this free Carnivore Diet Macro Calculator and determine the amount of protein you need based on your age, gender, weight, height, and activity level.

Learn More: Top 10 Best Low-Carb Protein Powders for Weight Loss

Low Carbohydrate Content

Since the Carnivore Diet restricts carbohydrates to push the body into a ketosis state, we need to choose snacks that are very low in carbohydrates, ideally under 5 grams per serving.

Consuming too many carbohydrates can disrupt ketosis and push the body to revert to burning glucose for energy, which can lead to increased hunger and make it harder to lose weight [7].

Also, high-carb foods, especially those with added sugars, can cause spikes in blood sugar, energy fluctuations, and increased hunger, which can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes [8].

By eliminating these foods and keeping carb intake low, you can avoid these spikes and maintain consistent energy levels throughout the day [9]. So, always check ingredient labels for carbohydrates and sugar content listed under names like sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, and dextrose.

In addition to sugar, grains, including wheat, rice, oats, and corn, are high in carbohydrates and should be avoided on the Carnivore Diet. These foods can significantly increase your carb intake and disturb ketosis. 

Made from Meat-Based Ingredients

Since plant-based foods aren’t allowed in the Carnivore Diet, the best choices for high-fat Carnivore snacks are those with animal-based ingredients like meat, eggs, and dairy.

These snacks are not only rich in protein and healthy fats but also low in carbohydrates and contain essential nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, that support overall health [10].

So, you must avoid any snacks that contain plant-based ingredients like vegetables, nuts, and seeds because they have carbohydrates and anti-nutrients like lectins and phytates that can disrupt ketosis and interfere with nutrient absorption [11].

Also, some foods cannot be consumed as Carnivore snacks because they have preservatives and additives, or contain non-Carnivore ingredients.

Learn More: The Carnivore Diet: Is It Healthy? Benefits and Side Effects

Foods to Avoid as a Carnivore Snack

To achieve the goals of your diet which are better health conditions and managing weight, you need to avoid the following foods, as they’re low in fat and protein or contain high carbohydrates:

• Processed Meats with Additives
• High-Carbohydrate Foods
• Sugary Foods
• Processed Meat Alternatives

The main reason you should avoid these foods is that they are high in carbohydrates and artificial additives. But how will they disturb your diet results?

Processed Meats with Additives

Many processed meats, such as deli meats and sausages, can contain added sugars, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. Sugar has glucose, so it can disrupt ketosis, and also most preservatives and artificial ingredients can cause inflammation. So always check the snack label to make sure there are minimal or no additives [12].

High-Carbohydrate Foods

Foods high in carbohydrates like bread, pasta, rice, and starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and corn, are not suitable for the Carnivore Diet, as they’re not Carnivore-friendly and the high carbohydrate content in these foods can disrupt ketosis [13].

Sugary Foods

Avoid snacks with added sugars, like candy, sweets, cookies, pastries, and sugary sauces and marinades because they are not allowed in the Carnivore Diet.

Added sugars in these snacks can quickly raise blood sugar levels and hinder ketosis. Additionally, these sugary snacks lack the essential nutrients found in animal-based foods, such as proteins and vitamins [14].

Processed Meat Alternatives

Fake meat products or meat substitutes like soy protein are not allowed in the Carnivore Diet because they contain plant-based ingredients, additives, and fillers.

These products can cause inflammation and contain anti-nutrients like lectins and phytates that interfere with nutrient absorption.

These meat substitutes often include additives and fillers to enhance flavor, texture, and shelf life, which are not allowed on the Carnivore Diet. Additionally, these products are high in carbohydrates, so they’re not the ideal options for Carnivore snacks [15].

The best options for Carnivore snacks are low-carb, high-protein, and high-fat products to satisfy your cravings while staying in ketosis to reach your health and fitness goals.

Learn More: Top 10 Carnivore Snacks On The Go [Easy Recipes and Ideas]

10 High-Fat Carnivore Snacks

These snacks are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients like protein, fat, and vitamins to keep you energized and full throughout the day.

Here are the 10 best high-fat Carnivore snacks to increase your fat intake and help you reach the best Carnivore results while enjoying yummy treats:

• Pork Rinds
• Tuna
• Eggs
• Beef Sticks
• Bone Broth
• Aged Cheese
• Salmon Crisps
• Beef Liver Crisps
• Sardines
• Beef Jerky

There are also many other high-fat Carnivore snacks you can try, but these are selected because you can buy them pre-made or easily make them at home.

Pork Rinds

Pork rinds (fried pork skins) are one of the best options for a Carnivore Diet snack. Pork rinds are high in protein and fat but also calories, so you need to mind your portions if you’re trying to lose weight.

Choose high-quality pork rinds that aren't cooked in vegetable or peanut oil to be completely Carnivore-friendly and nutritious. 100 grams of pork rinds can provide [16]:

• Fat: 31.3 g,
• Protein: 61.3 g,
• Calories: 544 kcal, and
• Carbohydrates: 0 g.

Tuna

Tuna is a filling and tasty Carnivore Diet snack, which is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B12, which can help prevent anemia, promote heart health, and reduce the risk of dementia [17].

Although tuna has many benefits, it contains mercury which can lead to cardiovascular issues and damage kidneys if consumed in excess [18]. 

So, sensitive groups like pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should avoid tuna and consult a healthcare provider before trying Carnivore Diet or Carnivore snacks.

Generally, it’s recommended to consume tuna in moderation (2-3 servings a week) especially on a Carnivore Diet because it’s high in protein and contains no carbohydrates. You can see the nutrients in 100 grams of tuna in the following list [19]:

• Fat: 0.49 g,
• Protein: 24.4 g,
• Calories: 109 kcal, and
• Carbohydrates: 0 g.

Eggs

If you're looking for a quick Carnivore-friendly snack, you can simply fry two eggs with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Eggs are packed with protein, which is essential for muscle building and helps you feel full longer while providing a boost of energy [20].

To make your snack even more satisfying and savory, you can add ground beef to your fried eggs, which adds more protein and flavor to keep you satisfied between meals.

Together, eggs and ground beef create a filling and nutritious snack for the Carnivore Diet. You can see the nutrients of 100 grams of eggs in the following list [21]:

• Fat: 9.51 g
• Protein: 12.6 g
• Calories: 143 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 9.51 g

Learn More: Can You Eat Eggs on the Carnivore Diet? 5 Ways to Eat Eggs

Beef Sticks

Grass-fed meat sticks are one of the best Carnivore snacks as they’re delicious and easy to eat. However, not all beef sticks are the same.

Avoid those with preservatives, MSG (monosodium glutamate), and other additives because these artificial ingredients can cause inflammation and contain high-carb components that disturb ketosis [22].

So, choose grass-fed beef sticks with no preservatives to get the best nutrients as 100 grams of beef sticks can offer [23]: 

• Fat: 49.6 g,
• Protein: 21.5 g.
• Calories: 550 kcal, and
• Carbohydrates: 5.4 g.

Bone Broth

You can have bone broth as a Carnivore snack because it provides nutrients and vitamins from marrow that are usually missing in other meat cuts.

Bone broth provides collagen, which supports joint health, skin elasticity, and gut lining integrity. Additionally, it contains amino acids that can help reduce inflammation and promote digestive health [24].

It’s also made from boiling beef, chicken, or fish bones, and contains vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients are essential for bone strength, muscle function, and overall metabolism [25].

The rich nutrition profile of bone broth makes it a good ingredient in many Carnivore stew and soup recipes. You can check the nutritional details of 100 grams of bone broth below [26].

• Fat: 2.95 g
• Protein: 3.8 g
• Calories: 51 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 1.69 g

Learn More: The Bone Broth Diet: Meal Plan and How to Do

Aged Cheese

You can have aged cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and feta in the Carnivore Diet, and low-lactose dairy products like cottage cheese, kefir, and ghee.

These dairy products provide calcium to help strengthen bones and teeth [27]. But you should avoid overly processed cheeses and only choose naturally aged ones for the Carnivore snacks, as they contain more natural nutrients, such as protein, calcium, and healthy fats.

For example, 100 grams of cheddar cheese provides a rich source of the following nutrients [28]:

• Fat: 33.8 g,
• Protein: 24.2 g,
• Calories: 410 kcal, and
• Carbohydrates: 2.13 g.

Salmon Crisps

Salmon crisps are dehydrated salmon skins and they’re similar to pork rinds but made from salmon. 

Salmon chips are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health, brain function, and reducing inflammation in the body [29]. 

They also have zero carbohydrates, which makes them a nutritious choice for the Carnivore Diet. You can check the nutrition details for 100 grams of salmon crisps in the list below [30]:

• Fat: 13.4 g
• Protein: 20.4 g
• Calories: 208 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g

Beef Liver Crisps

Beef liver crisp is one of the quick and easy Carnivore Diet snacks to absorb many nutrients like iron, magnesium, and vitamins, which are essential for many bodily functions.

Iron is important for oxygen transport in the blood and energy production, and magnesium supports muscle and nerve function [31].

Just a few ounces of liver provide the RDI (Recommended Dietary Intake) for many essential nutrients like Vitamin A and B12, Iron, and folate, and it's also high in protein and low in calories [32].

When you eat 100 grams of beef liver crisps, you'll get about [33]:

• Fat: 3.63 g,
• Protein: 20.4 g,
• Calories: 135 kcal, and
• Carbohydrates: 3.89 g.

Sardines

Not everyone loves the taste of sardines, but they're a great choice for Carnivore Diet snacks. They're affordable, have low mercury levels due to their short lifespan, and are packed with vitamins and minerals.

Sardines are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which help heart health, Vitamin B-12, necessary for energy production and cardiovascular support, and calcium, which helps make strong bones [34].

Another advantage of sardine is that it has zero carbohydrates but is rich in healthy fat and protein, making it a very rich snack. You can see the details of its nutrients in the list below [35].

• Fat: 11.4 g
• Protein: 24.6 g
• Calories: 208 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g

Beef Jerky

High-quality beef jerky is a convenient, protein-packed, on-the-go snack. However, many types of beef jerky on the market are unhealthy because they often contain high amounts of sodium sugars and artificial preservatives.

The grass-fed, non-GMO jerky is a good Carnivore Diet snack and also contains essential nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Iron supports oxygen transport in the blood, zinc is important for immune function and wound healing, and B vitamins are important for energy production and nervous system health [36] [37].

Note that you should consume beef jerky in moderation, as it contains more carbohydrates than other snacks mentioned. But it’s a rich source of protein and fat, that contains (in 100g) [38]

• Fat: 25.6 g,
• Protein: 33.2 g,
• Calories: 410 kcal, and
• Carbohydrates: 11 g.

Learn More: Beef Jerky on The Carnivore Diet: Yes or No? [Top List]

Conclusion

When choosing high-fat Carnivore Diet snacks, make sure they include only Carnivore-friendly ingredients and have a low-carb profile.

Choosing snacks with these qualities helps keep you satiated between meals, promotes stable energy levels, and supports weight management by pushing the body to burn fat for energy.

Learn More: Can You Eat Sausage on a Carnivore Diet? [5 Best Sausages]