Lion Diet: Results, Menu and 30-Day Meal Plan [Expert Guide]

What Is the Lion Diet?

Let's start with what a Lion Diet is. A Lion diet is a subset of the Carnivore diet, mainly consisting of ruminant meats, salt, and water.

You may be wondering what you can eat on a ruminant meat-only plan; we have you covered with 30 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan and a comprehensive Lion Diet menu with a free food list.

A variety of factors influence how much meat you should eat on your version of a Lion diet—your age, gender, activity level (both current and past), body composition goals (if any), medical conditions you may have now or previously had—but generally speaking:

I recommend aiming for somewhere around 2-4 pounds per day if you're trying out this new way of eating for yourself for the first time.

Lion Diet Principals

Here are the principles of the Lion Diet:

1. Focus on animal-based foods: The Lion Diet emphasizes the consumption of meat, fish, and other animal products. These foods are high in protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients like vitamins B12 and D.
2. Eliminate plant-based foods: The Lion Diet eliminates all plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts. The rationale behind this is that humans are not well adapted to digesting and absorbing the nutrients from plant-based foods.
3. Avoid processed foods: The Lion Diet emphasizes the consumption of whole, unprocessed animal products. Processed meats, like hot dogs and bacon, are not recommended on the Lion Diet.
4. Include organ meats: Organ meats like liver and kidney are nutrient-dense and are included in the Lion Diet. These foods are high in vitamins and minerals that are not found in muscle meat.
5. Hydrate with water: Water is the recommended beverage on the Lion Diet. Other beverages like coffee and tea can be consumed in moderation.

Learn More: The Meat and Fruit Diet: Benefits, Side Effects, and Experts’ Opinions

What Is Ruminant Meat?

Ruminant meat refers to the meat obtained from domesticated ruminants, such as cows, sheep, goats, and buffalo, which are known for their unique digestive system.

Unlike other animals, ruminants have a four-chambered stomach that allows them to ferment and break down tough plant matter, making it a rich source of protein. This unique digestive process also contributes to the unique flavor and tenderness of the meat.

Learn More: Lion Diet vs. Carnivore Diet: Which One Is Better?

What Is a Ruminant Meat Diet?

A Ruminant Meat Diet is a type of diet where the primary source of nutrition is meat from ruminants, such as cows, sheep, goats, and buffalo.

This diet is high in protein and fat, with no carbohydrates and is a rich source of essential nutrients, including iron, B-vitamins, and zinc.

A ruminant meat diet can be extremely effective as an elimination protocol for chronic conditions such as pain, arthritis and neurological diseases, where a traditional carnivore diet is ineffective. Choosing high-quality, grass-fed, and organic options is recommended for optimal health benefits.

Learn More: Beef Heart: Nutrients and Side Effects + 5 Ways to Eat

Lion Diet vs. Carnivore Diet

The Lion diet is a strict elimination protocol. This means it is similar to the Carnivore diet in that both are Very Low Carb Diets (VLCDs).

It's important to note that there are subtle differences between the two protocols.

The Carnivore diet meal plan allows for more foods than the Lion, including full-fat dairy products like butter and ghee, eggs, and meats from chicken and pork.

What Is a Very Low-Carb Diet (VLCD)?

A very low-carb diet (VLCD) is a diet that restricts carbohydrate intake to typically below 30 grams per day, with no restrictions on calories.

Generally speaking, a VLCD works because it forces your body into ketosis—a state where you burn fat instead of carbohydrates for energy.

The goal is to force your body out of its usual reliance on carbs as its primary fuel source by drastically cutting back the number of carbs in your food; this forces your cells to use stored body fat for energy instead.

Lion Diet Food List

Here are the foods you can freely eat on a Lion Diet; it may seem restrictive, but we have a 30-Day Lion Diet Meal Plan, with complete step-by-step menus to get you started.

Foods To Eat

Here is the food list for the Lion Diet; it’s exclusively ruminant meats. You can eat these foods freely without restrictions or limits on your daily calorie intake. Here is a list of foods that are typically allowed on the Lion Diet:

• Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, game meats (like venison and elk), and poultry (like chicken and turkey)
• Organ Meats: Liver, kidney, heart, and other organ meats

Foods To Avoid

• Seafood: Mussels, Oysters, Shrimp, Salmon, Mackeral
• Poultry: Chicken, Turkey, Duck Emu, Goose
• Eggs: Yolks and Egg whites from any animal
• Dairy: Cream, Yoghurt, Milk, Butter, Ghee
• Pork: Bacon, Pork Belly, Pork Ribs
• Fruits: All fruits, including berries, apples, and bananas
• Vegetables: All vegetables, including leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower
• Grains: All grains, including wheat, rice, and oats
• Legumes: All legumes, including beans and lentils
• Nuts and seeds: All nuts and seeds, including almonds, cashews, and chia seeds
• Processed foods: All processed foods, including bread, pasta, and snack foods

Lion Diet Benefits

• Weight loss
• Positive effects on skin (source)
• Reduced inflammation
• Improved rheumatoid arthritis (source)
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• Eliminate plant toxins, including oxalates
• Improved gut microbiome and digestive health (source)

Eating More Beef Can Benefit You!

If you're considering eating more beef, it's easy to see why: beef is a good source of protein and contains many other important nutrients for your health.

1. Protein: Beef provides complete protein (all eight essential amino acids) that can help build muscle mass and support normal growth in children, teens, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
2. Iron: Iron helps carry oxygen throughout the body. A deficiency can lead to fatigue and weakness; having too much iron may increase the risk of certain cancers, such as colon cancer. You'll get about 3 milligrams per 3-ounce serving of cooked lean beef (90% lean ground beef).
3. Vitamin B12: This vitamin helps maintain nerve cells, healthy blood cells (red blood cells), DNA synthesis (cell division), energy production from fats & carbohydrates as well as a proper nervous system function.
4. Zinc plays an essential role in immune function; it also supports wound healing by helping heal wounds faster.
5. Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 helps regulate homocysteine levels—an amino acid derived from methionine—which has been linked with heart disease prevention when kept at normal levels.

How to Start?

I'm sure you’re wondering how to start your own Lion Diet. Well, here are some tips and various meal plans to get you started:

• Eat more beef. Grass-fed and grain-fed, the type of feed doesn't matter all that much (unless you're concerned about sustainability or ethics). What does matter is that you eat more red meat. Steak is great for this, but I recommend fatty cuts like short ribs and brisket.
• Choose the right kind of steak, rib eyes and porterhouse are excellent options and typically have a 1:1 protein ratio.

1 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan

This is an easy starting point with a 1 Day Lion Diet plan to see if you like it. We also have a complete 30 Day Lion Diet menu if you wish to try it.

• Breakfast: 80/20 ground beef
• Lunch: Boneless short ribs
• Dinner: Veal cutlets

7 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan

If you want to take it to the next level, try our this Lion Diet menu, with 2 meals a day, with minimal cooking. Cooking in bulk provides plenty of leftovers to enjoy the rest of the week. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce some intermittent fasting.

We’re sure after a week of feeding your gut and brain with nutrient-rich meats you will want to try the 30 day meal plan, coming up next.

Monday

• Lunch: Rib Eye
• Dinner: Lamb Sausages(Homemade)

Tuesday

• Lunch: Sous Vide Beef Brisket
• Dinner: Beef sliders

Wednesday

• Lunch: Beef Burgers
• Dinner: Left Over Brisket

Thursday

• Lunch: Lamb Meatballs
• Dinner: Lamb Roast

Friday

• Lunch: Left Over Roast
• Dinner: Veal Cutlets

Saturday

• Lunch: Left Over Meatballs
• Dinner: Ground Beef

Sunday

• Lunch: Left Over Ground Beef
• Dinner: Lamb Cutlets

30-Day Lion Diet Meal Plan

This 30-day meal plan is designed for those who want to commit to 30 days or even 60 days. This Lion Diet menu is simple and flexible. Feel free to move the meals around to suit your lifestyle.

You can shed many lbs thanks to experts and fellow Carnivores supporting you with success stories, private sessions, workshops, coaching and planning. Don’t hesitate to join the Community of the 5MB Carnivores now.

Week 01

Sunday

• Lunch: Ground lamb
• Dinner: Beef Burgers  

Monday

• Lunch: Rib Eye          
• Dinner: Flanken Beef Ribs    

Tuesday

• Lunch: Beef Meatballs            
• Dinner: Lamb Cutlets  

Wednesday

• Lunch: Left Over Meatballs    
• Dinner: Lamb Roast    

Thursday

• Lunch: Veal Strips      
• Dinner: Left Over Roast        

Friday

• Lunch: Lamb Meatballs          
• Dinner: Lamb Shanks

Saturday

• Lunch: Veal Cutlets
• Dinner: Rib Eye

Week 02

Sunday

• Lunch: Rib Eye          
• Dinner: Veal Sliders    

Monday

• Lunch: Beef Back Ribs          
• Dinner: Ground Veal Slider    

Tuesday

• Lunch: Lamb Shank    
• Dinner: Left Over RIbs          

Wednesday

• Lunch: Veal Strips      
• Dinner: Beef Chuck Sausages

Thursday

• Lunch: Lamb Loin Chops      
• Dinner: Flanken Beef Ribs    

Friday

• Lunch: Ground Lamb
• Dinner: Lamb Shoulder Roast            

Saturday

• Lunch: Lamb Cutlets
• Dinner: Left Over Roast

Week 03

Sunday

• Lunch: Beef Burgers  
• Dinner: Veal Sliders    

Monday

• Lunch: Lamb Loin Chops      
• Dinner: Beef Chuck Sausages

Tuesday

• Lunch: Roast Beef      
• Dinner: Lamb Shank  

Wednesday

• Lunch: Flanken Beef Ribs      
• Dinner: Left Over Roast        

Thursday

• Lunch: Ground Lamb
• Dinner: Lamb Cutlets  

Friday

• Lunch: Beef Chuck Sausages
• Dinner: Veal Cutlets    

Saturday

• Lunch: Lamb Burgers
• Dinner: Beef Chuck Sausages

Week 04

Sunday

• Lunch: Beef Chuck Sausages      
• Dinner: Left Over Roast  

Monday

• Lunch: Ground Lamb  
• Dinner: Lamb Cutlets        

Tuesday

• Lunch:       Roast Beef      
• Dinner: Veal Cutlets          

Wednesday

• Lunch: Beef Chuck Sausages      
• Dinner: Left Over Roast  

Thursday

• Lunch: Beef Burgers        
• Dinner: Lamb Shank        

Friday

• Lunch: Flanken Beef Ribs            
• Dinner: Lamb Loin Chops            

Saturday

• Lunch: Veal Sliders
• Dinner: Lamb Shoulder Roast

The Best Healthy Snacks on the Lion Diet

If you’re looking for healthy snacks during the 30 Day Lion Diet Meal Plan, turn to any of the following:

• Grilled roast beef slices
• Lamb or beef sliders
• Meatballs
• Steak strips
• Veal strips
• Ground beef, veal, or lamb (about 2 oz)

How to Eat a Lion Diet at Restaurants?

At most restaurants, you can find a list of suitable foods for a Lion Diet on the menu. If this isn’t the case, don’t worry! It is easy to ask the waiter or chef if they can prepare something special for you. To have it cook quickly without adding unnecessary ingredients, focus on grilled or roasted ruminant meats.

Avoid sauces and dressings (even those labeled "healthy") because they usually contain hidden sugars that will ruin your Lion Diet efforts.

Lion Diet Shopping List

On the Lion Diet, you’ll eat a lot of red meat — beef and lamb. You can use all beef, goat, and lamb cuts for the main dishes in the meal plan. In addition to this, you must also eat mutton (sheep). Ensure you choose the fatty cuts of meat.

Supplements to Consider on a Lion Diet

The only supplement you may want to consider is some good-quality salt. I like Redmond’s Real salt, and you can get 10% off here or use code 5MB.

Recipe Ideas on a Lion Diet

• Sous vide beef brisket
• Veal cutlets
• Homemade lamb sausages
• Beef air fryer meatballs
• Lamb roast
• Rib Eye

What about Long-Term Safety?

While red meat has been slandered in the media, correlating to heart disease and increased mortality. The opposite is true; red meat has the most nutrients your body requires for energy and metabolism. Since the USDA published the food guidelines in the 1980s, we have seen diabetes, obesity, and heart disease skyrocket. While at the same time, meat consumption has decreased.

From an evolutionary perspective, we survived predominantly on an animal-based diet. The growth of big agriculture and pharma has destroyed our physical and mental health. The choice is your long-term; eat for health!

Is Eating Beef Only Effective For Weight Loss?

The Lion Diet is not a miracle cure for weight loss. It's an eating plan that can help you heal inflammation, but it doesn't work overnight. This way of eating is designed to help you become healthier overall, eliminating toxins and anti-nutrients; it will allow your body to recover from decades of external poisons.

What Do The Experts Say about the Lion Diet?

You might be interested to check those related posts as well:

• A Free Guide to Agoge Diet for 2023: Is It Good for Weight Loss?
• How to Start a Carnivore Diet? 4-Week Plan
  

The Bottom Line

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about the Lion Diet, with a 30 Day Meal Plan and a complete Lion Diet Menu. Whether you want to try it as a lifestyle change or a way to lose weight, this diet has proven effective in helping people achieve their goals.