BLOG POST 5 Seven Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Carnivore

Seven Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Carnivore

When I went strict carnivore on June 3, 2022, I didn’t ease into it. I didn’t gradually remove

foods. I didn’t prepare with recipes or guides. I jumped in because my pain, mobility, and

digestion had reached a point where I needed immediate change.

Carnivore transformed my life, but there are things I wish I had known in advance—things that

would have made the transition smoother, calmer, and far less stressful. Whether someone is

switching from AIP, keto, low-carb, or a standard diet, these seven insights can make a world

of difference.

Start With Fatty Cuts of Meat

Your Body Needs Immediate Fuel

The biggest mistake people make when starting carnivore is choosing lean meats. After years

of high-carb eating, or even moderate-carb intake, the body needs dietary fat to transition

smoothly into fat-burning.

The best starter cuts include:

• ribeye
• chuck roast
• 73/27 or 80/20 ground beef
• beef short ribs
• brisket

Fat provides:

• steady energy
• better satiety
• a smoother metabolic transition
• fewer cravings

Lean meat creates fatigue. Fatty meat creates stability.

Keep Bone Broth Ready

Support Digestion and Electrolytes

Bone broth isn’t required on carnivore, but it can provide comfort and structure during the first

week. When diarrhea or fatigue hit, broth can help restore minerals and provide a warm,

digestible source of hydration.

It also helps with:

• early stomach discomfort
• nausea
• cold sensations during fat adaptation
• mild electrolyte drops

Even if you don’t need it daily, having it ready prevents panic if symptoms shift.

Use Electrolytes on Days With Diarrhea or Palpitations

Signs Your Body Needs SupportElectrolytes are not optional during the transition if you experience rapid bowel movements or

heart palpitations. These symptoms are signs of sodium and fluid loss.

During these days, I learned to increase:

• sodium
• water
• small amounts of magnesium only when necessary

Electrolytes stabilize:

• heart rhythm
• blood pressure
• energy
• mental clarity

Ignoring these signals can make the transition much harder than it needs to be.

Schedule Routine Labs Every 6–12 Months

Data Guides Your Decisions

Carnivore simplifies many things, but health still requires monitoring. Regular LabCorp panels

gave me the information I needed to understand how my metabolism, inflammation, minerals,

and fasting insulin were responding.

Labs help you detect:

• hidden deficiencies
• inflammation
• thyroid changes
• blood glucose patterns
• liver and kidney function
• improvements you may not feel yet

Numbers tell the truth, long before symptoms do.

Stay Hydrated

Your Body Uses More Water Than You Realize

Carnivore and fasting both increase water needs. During the early months of carnivore, I drank

four to five gallons a day. Some people need less, but most underestimate just how much

hydration the transition requires.

Hydration supports:

• digestion
• electrolyte balance
• temperature regulation
• energy
• blood pressure stability

Water is one of the simplest tools you have.

Expect Loose Stools the First Week

This Is Not a Sign of FailureOne of the most common fears people have is diarrhea during the first week. It is normal and

often temporary. When the body eliminates plant fibers, lectins, and irritants, the gut adjusts its

motility.

Loose stools can come from:

• microbiome shifts
• increased bile flow
• sudden lack of fiber
• magnesium doses that are too high

Once the system adjusts, digestion stabilizes. The first week is simply a reset phase.

Have Support, Even if Your Journey Is Private

Healing Is Easier When You Aren’t Alone

I didn’t have an official support group when I began carnivore, but I did have my own research,

my medical experience, and the determination to follow my body’s signals. Still, having a place

to ask questions, compare experiences, or gain reassurance can make a major difference.

Support doesn’t need to be public. It can simply be:

• a friend who understands
• a private group
• a journal
• clinical guidance
• a coach who helps monitor changes

Carnivore changes your metabolism, digestion, inflammation, and mindset. Having stability

around you makes the transition easier.

Callout Quote

Preparation doesn’t remove the challenges. It removes the fear.

Closing Thoughts

Carnivore is not complicated, but the transition can be. Most of the discomfort people

experience is not caused by the diet itself, but by a lack of preparation and misunderstanding

the normal adaptation process. The first week is the hardest not because the diet is extreme,

but because the body is shifting out of decades of patterns.

If I had known these seven things on day one, my transition would have been smoother and far

less stressful. Healing requires clarity, structure, and patience—and when you give your body

those three things, it knows exactly what to do.

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