While research about the benefits of the carnivore diet is ongoing, this simple but restrictive approach to eating is becoming increasingly popular. The diet’s exclusive focus on animal products goes way back, deriving from our early ancestors’ approaches to nutrition. That’s long before potentially harmful additives started to make some foods work against us, rather than for us.

Anyone curious about this primal approach to dining should definitely do their own research and consult with health professionals about any benefits or drawbacks. But for those who have decided to follow in the footsteps of its leading proponent, Dr. Shawn Baker, we’re here to provide some help for how to satisfy those hunger pangs between meals.

Carnivore diet snacks bring meaty satisfaction to those tricky hangry moments where a little extra sustenance is required to make it through the day. So let’s explore some carnivore diet snack ideas for sumptuous mini-meals that would have had our earliest relatives extolling with their most enthusiastic and appreciative grunts.

1. Deli meats

If you’re going to eschew rather than chew carbs, you’re going to forgo the classic sandwich with its bounty of bread. Simple carbohydrates, in excess, can lead to weight gain and potentially an increased risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. 

Snacking on diverse deli meats means enjoying the most essential element of sandwiches — turkey, ham, roast beef, salami, and more — that are high in protein, and rich in vitamins and minerals.

2. Hard-boiled eggs

Meal prep is important. And in under half an hour of light kitchen effort, you can prepare a fueling-up feast of hard-boiled eggs for your work week. 

Once prepared, hard-boiled eggs can last up to a week in the fridge. They’re one of the most convenient snacks for the carnivore diet, as they’re simple to enjoy while on the go. And eggs are packed with important nutrients, including vitamins B12 and D, choline, and healthy fats, while also being low in calories and high in protein.

3. Pork rinds

Sometimes hunger strikes at unexpected times when you’re out and about, and you won’t have your usual delicious meat treats on hand to counterattack sudden cravings. 

In such circumstances, grabbing a bag of pork rinds  is a great way to satisfy your hunger while still adhering to your regimen. They’re convenient, don’t require refrigeration, and are rich in healthy fats, high in protein, and low in carbohydrates. And the best part of these porky delights is their crispy crunch — the auditory component to snacking engages us on a primal level.

4. Snack sticks

Beloved in a multitude of forms around the world, there’s also that special something about meat on a stick or skewer, whether that means corn dogs or shish kebabs. 

Taking this idea a step further, meaty snack sticks and jerky are ideal for on-the-go hunger satiation, where the stick is the snack. Unopened packages of snack sticks don’t require refrigeration either, meaning they’re fine to keep in your vehicle for easy access as you commute between responsibilities. 

And though it may not be able to lay similar claims to the carnivore diet’s ancient roots, Weaver’s Snacks has been in the snack stick game for a whopping 135 years. Old-world smoking methods give a savory charm to beef, turkey, and chicken creations that will have you pining for those erstwhile precarious periods between meals.

5. Bone broth

After you’ve devoured your beef, chicken, or pork, there’s a way to ensure that you use every nourishing element of the animal. With just the bones and water, you can create savory bone broth for future sensational snacking. 

Rich in nutrients like collagen, gelatin, and amino acids, bone broth can help support joint health, skin, and gut wellness — which is especially valuable on a restrictive diet. Low in calories and high in hydration, bone broth offers a light yet satisfying option that can be sipped warm for comfort as the weather cools. 

Stay on track with the best carnivore diet snacks

Curious about the carnivore diet, but are leery of the limitations it imposes? You should be encouraged by the plethora of high-protein snacking options available. 

So, if you’ve done your research and know that this approach will help you feel your best, these between-meal nourishments will let you get the most out of your dietary decision.