Carnivore Diet Bodybuilding | 4 Tips to Build Muscles Fast

I’ve been into bodybuilding since my senior year in high school, and working on maximizing performance levels through fitness plans and a carnivore diet has always interested me.

After many years of trial and error, I have focused on keto and carnivore bodybuilding diets in alternating cycles. The results I’ve achieved are pretty impressive, especially in the bulking phase, and despite health warnings, I’ve never felt and looked better.

I decided to publish all my findings and experience so you can answer your concerns regarding the carnivore diet and bodybuilding.

Quick Summary

CARNIVORE DIET For BODYBUILDING: HOW TO GAIN MUSCLE MASS

Now, you obviously will need very intense workouts and strength training programs in place, but if you’re really looking to bulk up, then you have to pay a lot of attention to what and how much you eat.

Here are some simple tips to give yourself an advantage.

1. Work Out Your Calorie Needs

This 2020 study from NLM claimed that when you plan a diet to gain muscle weight, it all comes down to the amount of calories you consume. The average healthy adult will require about 2,000 calories a day, but during a bulking phase, that will need to increase significantly [2].

You should never rely on your appetite, as you’ll have to eat more than you need to support muscle growth. Professional athletes who spend 4 or more hours working out will often take in two or more times the daily average.

2. Vary The Meats You Eat

There is no best meat for bodybuilding, it's important to know your body. But one thing to avoid is the very lean cuts that have little to no fat. On the meat-only diet, you will need all the energy from fat to fuel your strength training.

When it comes to figuring out what to eat for muscle gain, I generally aim for lots of beef and chicken as it provides a great combination of fat and protein. Throw in some fish for some extra micronutrients, and you’ll have all possible health aspects covered.

3. Time Your Meals Precisely

A weight lifting diet to gain muscle isn’t just about what you eat but when you eat your food as well. As red meat and fat take longer to digest than carbs, you have to plan the meals a bit more.

This is not as important for cardio training, but when you’re heading to the gym to lift heavy weights, then aim to eat about 60 to 90 minutes before.

Read More: What Is the Hardest Meat to Digest?

4. Take Regular Off Cycles

The best advice I got when I started was that a carnivore diet for building muscle mass is not something you should do long-term. I generally aim for 6 to 10-week cycles, and I time these with the main bulking workouts.

You’ll still be able to get most of your amino acids and energy from the food you eat during off-cycles, but you’ll also have some more flexibility when it comes to carbs and supplements like whey and creatine.

In a position statement, the International Society of Sports Nutrition says an intake of between 1.4-2.0 grams per pound of body weight for active people is "not only safe, but may improve the training adaptations to exercise training.
- Hobart Swan, Health Contributor at bodybuilding.com

WHAT DOES YOUR BODY NEED TO BUILD MUSCLE?

When you’re trying to figure out how to maximize muscle growth, it all comes down to just a few dietary needs.

1. Lots Of Energy For Exercise

This is one thing many people who start out with plans to bulk up get really wrong. They simply don’t eat enough meals per day, resulting in a lack of calories to support the heavy workouts and strength training for building muscle.

What happens then is that you lose weight in both fat storage and lean muscle mass, or the opposite of the goals that you set [3].

I have found that nine times out of 10, people don’t realize how much more food they need to eat to get all the energy, amino acids, and minerals needed to build new muscle tissue.

2. Massive Amounts Of Protein

The number 1 ingredient for muscle building is a specific set of amino acids that are the building blocks of protein. There is no getting around it, and if you struggle to eat enough chicken, red meat, steak, and eggs every day, you have to resort to carnivore supplements.

It would not be uncommon for bodybuilders to aim for 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight to build muscle. That’s a lot of meat to try and process, and something many performance athletes take a long time to get used to [4].

It all comes down to proper meal planning, and if you’re serious about this, then you should consider trying out a zero-carbohydrate diet that includes meat only for weight loss to see how quickly you can get all that protein.

3. Micronutrients

No matter what your body composition is or what you’re aiming for, you cannot achieve a lot of muscle building and fat loss without certain minerals and vitamins. They're vital for your immune system and overall health, but so many other processes are also reliant on them.

4. Minerals

A 2022 study from the National Library of Medicine specified that zinc, magnesium, and iron are three essential minerals necessary for supporting muscle growth. Zinc plays a crucial role in testosterone production, while magnesium assists in energy production and aids in muscle recovery [5].

That leaves iron, a critical mineral that increases red blood cell count and delivers oxygen to muscle fibers.

People who follow the carnivore diet, and other high-fat diets, often claim that it can increase your testosterone levels. And this, in turn, can lead to a number of benefits ranging from fat loss to muscle gain, increased libido, greater energy and endurance, and more.
- Michael Matthews, Fitness Blogger

5. Vitamins

Vitamins B, C, and D are the most crucial when it comes to healthy muscle growth, especially B12. The good news is that meat (especially beef) and dairy are an excellent source of all these micronutrients, which means you’ll likely never need to supplement them.

What Supplements Should You Take?

Picking supplements hinges on your goals, like fiber for digestion or quality shakes for muscle recovery. Yet, research sometimes contradicts this.

If constipated, fiber supplements might help, regardless of your diet goals. Remember, your body efficiently processes meat, leaving minimal waste. What seems like constipation might just be less to eliminate. Also, consider post-workout shakes for muscle recovery. I grab these post-gym, ensuring they're low in carbs and free from artificial junk. Beware, though - some creatine and whey protein shakes may not fit the bill anymore.

CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS: NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF DIFFERENT MEAT TYPES

Eating meat the right way can boost your health and ramp up fat loss. Let's dive into the nutritional details of fats, carbs, and protein. This will help you fine-tune your diet to get your exact intake of calories and macros.

Here is what percentage of weight makes up fat and protein:

1. Beef

• Fat: Between 20% and 30% for most ground beef and ribeye cuts
• Protein: Between 30% and 40% for ribeye and round steak

The absolute top-recommended meals for bodybuilders is beef, as it packs a load of calories and an excellent mix between fat and protein. It’s quite easy to switch between different cuts throughout the day to either get more fat or more protein.

Also, because you can cook it more to the rare end of the scale, you’ll preserve a lot more of the amino acids without breaking them down through sustained high heat. That’s one of the most significant benefits. Also, I always stick to the fatty cuts of meat prepared with tallow, I find they taste better, and anything is better than a dry steak.

2. Pork

• Fat: 10% to 15% dependent on the preparation method
• Protein: About 25% for the average pork chop

Pork has a pretty good percentage of protein, but you have to account for some of that protein disintegrating during the cooking process. On the fat side of things, you can get a delicious pork belly cut, but again, a lot of the fat will melt and burn away during preparation.

I generally limit pork to an extent because of those reasons.

Related Articles:

• What Is Kurobuta Pork?
• Can You Eat Pork Rinds on the Carnivore Diet?

3. Lamb

• Fat:  15% for the average lamb chop
• Protein: Between 30% and 40% on average

Lamb is quite high in protein, and because you can slow cook it at low heat, and even serve it more to the rare end of the scale, you won’t lose too much of the nutritional value.

Fat is also reasonably high in lamb meat, but this depends on the cut you choose. The big downside with lamb is the cost.

Compared to beef, you will be paying a premium, and considering the volume you’ll need to eat, this can add up quickly for your zero carb diet.

4. Chicken

• Fat: Low 3% for chicken breast and about 10% for thighs
• Protein: Between 25% and 30%, varying between breast and thighs

Chicken is a big favorite among all types of athletes because it’s packed full of protein. And the kind of protein is very easily absorbed.

However, on the fat side of things, it’s very low, and the cooking process will remove a lot of it.

I don’t eat much chicken because I feel like it's very bland tasting when you can’t add sauces to it. However, it’s a very cheap option to load up on a lot of protein, and with a bit of salt, it's not too bad.

5. Fish & Seafood

• Fat: Usually below 5% fat
• Protein: Usually just above 20%

The reason for adding fish and seafood to your diet is to get all the health advantages of Omega Fatty Acids as well as many vitamins and minerals [6].

It’s not the most filling if you need to consume large amounts of different foods, but adding some to your carnivore diet meal plan regularly is still a good idea.

CARNIVORE DIET FOR BODYBUILDING: IS IT A GOOD IDEA?

Yes, the carnivore diet boosts bodybuilding with its rich protein, vitamins, and minerals. It energizes your workouts too. Gradually shifting from plants to meat ramps up your strength and stamina. Though it might turn heads, it's a game-changer. It's not a lifelong commitment, but following my cycles can bring quick, notable gains. For the inside scoop, look up Dr. Shawn Baker.

Also Read: Carnivore Diet for Athletes

FAQs

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38188136/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7052702/
3. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/weight-and-muscle-gain
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-much-protein-do-you-need-to-build-muscle#
5. https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html
6. https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/food/fish/health-benefits#