Low Carbohydrate/Keto/Carnivore: Which One is Best for You?
People are turning to low carbohydrate ways of eating more and more, both for weight loss and for improved health.
But there are different versions of a low carbohydrate diet, from Carnivore (or even Lion diet), to Keto (and Ketovore), to low carb. Which one is best for you?
They all have their strengths.
But sometimes it’s tricky deciding which way to go. We’re all different and one size does not fit all.
Let’s look at the different versions of a low carb diet and see which one might be optimal for you.
Carnivore
Let’s start with the strictest of the low carbohydrate diets.
Carnivore pretty much cuts out all carbohydrates. You only consume animal products.
Some people allow a few carbs, such as in dairy or cheese.
Pros of Carnivore diet
Carnivore has many benefits, some of which include:
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Weight loss
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Better blood sugar and insulin control
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Prevention or reversal of metabolic disease
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Helps autoimmune conditions
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Reduces inflammation
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Can help with food addictions and cravings
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Simplicity
Cons of Carnivore
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Super strict
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Might not be sustainable
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Carnivore flu/oxalate dumping symptoms
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Social situations can be tricky
Who Carnivore might be good for:
If you have autoimmune conditions, or food allergies, the Carnivore diet is perfect because you eliminate everything except animal products.
If you have severe metabolic conditions, or you are very obese, Carnivore can help turn things around quicker.
If you love things to be simple, Carnivore is your friend.
It doesn’t get much simpler than “just eat meat.”
Keto
Next up is the Keto diet.
The Ketogenic diet has specific guidelines.
It is very low carb (20-50 grams a day), high fat, and moderate protein.
It’s less strict than Carnivore, but still pretty restrictive.
Pros of Keto
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Weight loss
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Better blood sugar and insulin control
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Prevention or reversal of metabolic disease
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Reduced inflammation
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Improved brain function
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Appetite control
Cons of Keto
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Restrictive
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Keto flu
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Need to track macros
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Still possible to consume dodgy ingredients (keto “treats”)
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Social situations require planning ahead
Who the Keto diet might be best for:
If you have insulin resistance, or metabolic conditions such as type 2 Diabetes, the Keto diet is great for healing.
If you struggle with weight loss, going Keto can get the scale moving quickly.
If you want to work on your diet, but don’t want to be as strict as Carnivore, Keto is perfect.
If you want improved brain function and mental clarity, the brain loves ketones.
Low Carbohydrate diet
Of course, all of the versions we’ve looked at are low carbohydrate.
But here we mean typically up to 100 grams of carbohydrates a day.
This is the less restrictive of the low carbohydrate diets.
Pros of low carbohydrate
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More flexibility and variety
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Still can help with blood sugar and insulin control
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Weight loss
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Can still help prevent or reverse metabolic conditions
Cons of low carbohydrate
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Might take longer to get similar results as Keto or Carnivore
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Higher tendency to overeat or eat the wrong kinds of foods
Who low carb might be best for:
If you’re just starting on your weight loss journey and you want to tiptoe in, low carbohydrate is a great way to start.
If you prefer to be more flexible and have more variety in your diet, low carbohydrate is going to be easier.
If you are more active or exercise a lot, you might prefer the higher range of carbohydrates.
A few more notes
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Throw in some Intermittent Fasting - Fasting compliments all low carbohydrate diets
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Stay on top of your electrolytes - Anytime you start burning fat (and you will on low carbohydrate diets), you can lose electrolytes
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Stay hydrated - You lose a lot of water when you lose fat
Bottom line
Low carb, Keto, and Carnivore are all great options.
You can always start with one and switch to another if it isn’t working for you.
No matter which one you choose, anytime you cut back on simple carbohydrates, you are doing a good thing for your body and your longevity.
