What is Ketovore and how did I discover it on my health journey?

Photo by Elena Leya

When I started Carnivore three years ago, I was frustrated with pandemic weight that seemed to creep up every month. Amidst the chaos, I noticed an irritating skin condition worsening, and my energy levels had tanked. It didn't feel like I was living; it felt like I was barely surviving. Let's not even joke about "thriving" because I was far from that.

Having tried Keto once with overwhelming success—and then multiple occasions where it did nothing for me—I decided a more aggressive approach was needed. Weeks of research into Carnivore, podcasts, success stories, and Facebook groups later, I jumped in headfirst. All the ribeyes I could eat, air-fried chicken wings, burger patties with sharp cheddar. But I quickly ran into some issues:

1. I was really bored with food. Carnivore is supposed to help repair our relationship with food, but I reached a point where I'd rather not eat than chew on another ribeye.

2. My digestion took a turn for the worse. Forgive the TMI, but my bowel movements are usually like clockwork. A few weeks into Carnivore, and no matter how much fat I ate, magnesium I took, or water I drank, my stool was hard. This made my bowels physically uncomfortable daily, and the straining caused other issues at my exit point.

After being banned from more Zero Carb and Strict Carnivore groups than I care to count, I looked into a more relaxed approach to Carnivore. How can we eliminate all the bad foods that cause our bodies inflammation, fatigue, and weight gain while improving digestion and allowing us to eat socially and deliciously, without being painstakingly bored with our meals?

The answer: Ketovore. A hybrid approach to Carnivore eating that blends the animal-centric nature of Carnivore with the culinary flexibility of Keto. This meant I could incorporate foods like broccoli, cheese, Thai curries, and guacamole back into my diet. My digestion quickly improved, and I wasn't meat-averse anymore.

Photo by blackieshoot

If this is your first time reading about Carnivore, check out this Quick Guide I wrote about it and why so many people, from athletes to celebrities, have tried this way of eating. Also, if you're interested in Ketovore and aren't sure where to get started, sign up for my free Ketovore Starter Guide. It's a great way to get your feet wet and hit the ground running.

So, we know Carnivore, in its many iterations, is an animal-food-only way of eating (WOE). In a nutshell, Carnivore eaters stick to meat, organs, and some dairy with little to no plant foods. The purists (Lion Diet) eat nothing but ruminants, salt, and water. The slightly more flexible carnivores might include some herbs and spices. But that's it. Enter Ketovore...

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What is Ketovore?

Photo by Markus Spiske

Ketovore is a Carnivore-centric WOE that builds on the Carnivore diet by adding low-carb fruits and veggies. Garlic, onions, herbs, and spices are all part of the Ketovore diet. Many will also include coconut, olive, and avocado oil, as well as low-carb dairy options.

If it's not glaringly obvious, Ketovore opens up a huge world of food possibilities. Suddenly, pork rind nachos are a thing. Ketovore cloud bread makes sandwiches happen. And you can buy or make your mayo for dips and dressings.

List of Ketovore Staples:

• Beef (ribeye, ground beef, brisket)
• Lamb (chops, leg, ground lamb)
• Pork (bacon, pork chops, pork belly)
• Chicken (thighs, wings, breast)
• Turkey (ground, breast, thighs)
• Duck (breast, confit, whole duck)
• Seafood (salmon, shrimp, mackerel, tuna, sardines, cod)
• Eggs (chicken, duck, quail)
• Dairy (cheese, butter, heavy cream, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese)
• Animal fats (tallow, lard, ghee, bone marrow)
• Non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower)
• Low-sugar fruits (berries, avocados)
• Nuts and seeds (macadamia nuts, chia seeds)
• Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil)
• Herbs and spices (garlic, onions, rosemary, thyme)
• Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles)
• Bone broth
• Coconut products (coconut milk, coconut cream)
• Dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
• Coffee and tea (unsweetened)

So, what's not Ketovore?

Bread, tortillas, pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, high-carb fruits, grains, syrups, and any condiment with sugar or starch in them. Many Ketovore eaters also selectively avoid plants with antinutrients like high-oxalate foods, phytic acid, and other inflammatory plant ingredients.

List of Foods to Avoid:

• Bread (white, whole wheat, sourdough)
• Tortillas (corn, flour, whole wheat)
• Pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, fettuccine)
• Rice (white, brown, wild)
• Potatoes (russet, sweet, red)
• Beans (black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas)
• High-carb fruits (bananas, apples, grapes)
• Grains (oats, quinoa, barley)
• Syrups (maple syrup, honey, agave nectar)
• Sugary condiments (ketchup, barbecue sauce, sweet dressings)
• Processed snacks (chips, crackers, pretzels)
• Fast food (burgers with buns, fries, milkshakes)
• Sugary drinks (soda, fruit juices, sports drinks)
• Artificial sweeteners (maltodextrin, aspartame, saccharin)
• Seed oils (canola, soybean, sunflower, grapeseed)
• High-oxalate vegetables (spinach, beets, almonds)
• Processed meats with additives (hot dogs, deli meats with sugar)
• Starches and flours (cornstarch, white flour, tapioca)
• Packaged desserts (cakes, cookies, pastries)

Why Try Ketovore?

Jessi 28lbs in 78 days

• Weight Loss: For many, Carnivore and Ketovore offer powerful body recomposition benefits. It's not uncommon for people to lose 30, 50, or even 100+ lbs when switching over to this WOE. When you lower inflammation, increase protein intake, and consume highly satisfying, nutrient-dense animal products, your body naturally releases excess fat. This isn't about restriction—it's about nourishment that leads to sustainable weight loss.

• Chronic GI Relief: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), Crohn's Disease, Acid Reflux, and SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) can be debilitating. Many people on conventional diets find themselves either tethered to a bathroom or reliant on pharmaceuticals for relief. Ketovore has helped countless individuals improve their digestion, reduce bloating, and even reverse symptoms of these conditions by eliminating problematic foods and restoring gut health.

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  Olyveya Mazier

  Skin Health: Conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis all share one common factor: inflammation. By eliminating processed foods, seed oils, and inflammatory plant compounds, many people find that their skin clears up dramatically. Ketovore also helps address underlying food intolerances, making it easier to pinpoint and eliminate triggers that contribute to chronic skin issues. When your skin is constantly fighting against you, removing inflammatory foods and embracing nutrient-dense animal products can be a game-changer.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. Just a nutrition nerd who has biohacked his way out of some really horrible conditions. Before you try this WOE, please talk to your doctor. If you need help finding a Ketovore-friendly doctor, leave a comment below and we'll get you connected.

Final Thoughts

Ketovore offers a sustainable way of eating that combines the healing power of Carnivore with the flexibility of Keto. If strict Carnivore feels too limiting but Keto hasn't worked for you, Ketovore might be the perfect balance.

Want help getting started? Download my free Ketovore Starter Guide for meal ideas, grocery lists, and essential tips.

Already living the Ketovore life? Join the discussion in the Ketovore - A Carnivore Focused Facebook Group and share your experiences!