Is Carnivore Diet Good for Bodybuilding?

As we said from the start we believe bodybuilding on carnivore diet is one of the best ways to see impressive results fast. It makes sense when you think about it - bodybuilders need tons of protein, and carnivore certainly provides that. 

There are more reasons we recommend carnivore diet bodybuilding, though. Here’s why carnivore diet and bodybuilding go hand-in-hand…

High Protein Intake for Muscle Building

It’s no secret that protein intake is the cornerstone of muscle recovery and growth. Any carnivore meal plan revolves around animal-based foods that are inherently packed in protein. Not just any protein, either - high-quality, complete proteins.

While plant-based sources of protein may lack certain amino acids and require more careful balancing, animal proteins give your muscles everything they need in the most bioavailable form possible. 

This makes it easier to hit your protein targets day after day for consistent forward progress. Not sure how much protein should an athlete eat? Read our blog for more insights, but the general rule of thumb for bodybuilders specifically is at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.

Hormonal Benefits of the Carnivore Diet for Muscle Growth

One of the more overlooked benefits of carnivore diet for bodybuilding is the way in which it supports the production of important hormones, most notably, testosterone. 

Wait, does carnivore diet increase testosterone? It certainly has the potential to. A more relevant question is, can you build muscle on carnivore diet? 

Beef, lamb, and other fatty cuts of meat are loaded with healthy fats that go beyond serving as your primary energy source. They play a key role in testosterone production, the hormone responsible for muscle growth, strength, and overall performance.

That’s not all, though. Bodybuilding on the carnivore diet also means you’re avoiding processed foods and sugar, which would otherwise create imbalances in insulin levels while increasing estrogen production. 

In this sense, the carnivore diet for bodybuilding creates the optimal environment for muscle growth. We know what you’re thinking, though…how will I have any energy to train without carbs? 

Adapting to Fat for Fuel Rather Than Carbs

A common question we see asked is, how many carbs can you have on carnivore diet? Technically this nutritional regimen isn’t defined by macronutrient breakdown. 

However, the carnivore diet food list inherently eliminates carbs - so you won’t be consuming many. You may get some here and there if you eat certain types of cheese on carnivore diet or follow a more modified carnivore diet.

For the most part, though, your energy is going to come from fat. This can be jarring at first since you’re likely used to fueling your workouts with a heaping serving of carbs.

Fat adaptation will take some time, and it’s true that you may feel a bit low energy along the way. But within a few weeks, your body will become far more efficient at using fat for fuel. This will be a good thing in the long run.

The truth is, carbs can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes. In contrast, fat is a more stable energy source so you’ll feel more smooth, sustainable energy throughout the day.

This also means your body can draw on its fat stores for steady energy during lower-intensity training, which can improve endurance and recovery times.

You’ll just have to be patient during the transition phase, which is often referred to as the “keto flu.” We’ll share tips for bodybuilders on carnivore diet in just a moment.