When I started the Carnivore diet, one of my biggest concerns were how expensive meat is compared to other foods. Grocery costs are a big part of our monthly outgoings as a large family, so it was definitely something I had to take into consideration before trying out this way of eating. And I know I’m not alone on this!
The cost of the carnivore diet can vary depending on factors such as the type of meat consumed, its quality, and an individual’s shopping habits. There is also the factor of how much is being consumed, how often, and the offset in reduction of all other foods that have been cut out.
In this article, I’ll talk about:
- how expensive or affordable the carnivore diet really is (you might be surprised!)
- how the carnivore diet affects cost of other things – I’ll breakdown the costs and show comparisons
- practical ways to reduce costs when on a meat-only diet
Let’s first take a look at how much extra it will actually cost you when it comes to making a switch from a standard American diet…
What Does a Grocery Shop Look Like on a Meat Only Diet?
The carnivore diet is based on consuming animal products, while avoiding plant-based foods. This diet mostly includes:
- meat
- fish
- eggs
- dairy products
And there would be a complete avoidance of any other foods that are not part of the above list. This means you won’t be buying:
- vegetables
- grains and pasta
- beans & legumes
- processed foods
- breads
Generally speaking, meat and fish are pretty expensive when compared to other foods like pasta, or beans and legumes. But let’s actually analyze the costs involved to decide whether it is an affordable way to eat or not…
Analyzing the Costs of the Carnivore Diet
As I mentioned earlier, when I first decided to explore the carnivore diet, I had to seriously consider the costs involved. However, I found that the true cost of a carnivore diet can vary depending on several factors, such as:
- What kind of meat you buy (e.g. grass fed, organic, regular, etc.)
- Where you buy groceries from
- What you mostly consume (e.g. eggs vs red meat)
- What particular cuts of meat you buy (e.g. ribeye vs chuck)
Let’s take a deeper look at each one:
What Quality of Meat Are You Choosing?
The quality of meat you choose to buy will of course affect the price tag.
You have a lot of people in the carnivore community who say you must eat grass fed, grass finished, organic, regeneratively farmed, etc. to be on the carnivore diet, but this is simply not true.
Many, like myself, although I would love to buy the highest quality meat, choose to simply buy whatever is available in the local supermarket, and whatever is on offer at the time. And I am thriving on the carnivore diet so far!
So, if price is an issue for you and you’re wishing to go carnivore, opt for readily available regular meat, rather than something more expensive.
Where Are You Buying Your Meat From?
Different stores will have different prices, and it pays to shop around! Stores like Costco are great for buying in bulk, and it’s also a great idea to check the ‘reduced’ section in stores to see if there is meat nearing the expiry date for you to take home and freeze.
By scouring for deals and seasonal discounts at your local grocery store, you can potentially save quite a bit of money following this diet. Especially if you get to know what time of day they fill up the reduction aisle.
And don’t forget your local butcher. My local butcher adds a bunch of beef fat as an addition to my meat order for free. It pays to go to the same place every time and to get to know your butcher.
They usually offer a variety of options and prices and will often reward you for your loyalty by letting you know what’s on (or about to) be on special discount.
TOP TIP: Getting to know your local butcher is a great way to get additions to your meat order at a great price, or sometimes even for free!
What Are You Actually Eating?
Different cuts and types of meat can have a considerable impact on your wallet. By being strategic with exactly what you eat on the carnivore diet, can have a major impact on how much it costs you in the long term.
For example, eggs are cheaper than chicken, which is cheaper than beef. And you could be strategic by choosing to eat more eggs than beef.
Choosing cheaper cuts is also a great idea to help reduce costs. Filet mignon, although extremely tasty can be left as a treat, while you consume cheaper cuts of meat such as chuck or oxtail.
Carnivore Friendly Foods & Their Prices
Let’s get down to the actual nitty gritty of how much it will all cost. Below, I’ll break down the main categories of foods consumed on this diet, along with their respective prices, to get a better understanding of the expense involved.
Meats
Meats form the core of the carnivore diet and it is what you’re going to be predominantly eating. But as I mentioned earlier, prices vary depending on the type, quality, and source of the meat.
Let’s take a look at the actual differences of these costs:
- Beef: Ground beef typically costs between $3 to $5 per pound, while steak cuts such as ribeye or filet mignon can range from $8 to $20 per pound.
- Pork: Pork chops range from $3 to $5 per pound, and bacon can be found for $4 to $7 per pound.
- Chicken: Whole chickens can be priced around $1 to $2 per pound, and boneless, skinless chicken breasts usually cost between $2 to $4 per pound.
- Fish: The price of fish varies considerably, with canned tuna being as low as $1 per can, while fresh salmon can cost up to $15 per pound.
Dairy Products
Cheese, butter, and yogurt are some of the dairy products included in the carnivore diet. Here’s a look at the cost of these items:
- Cheese: Depending on the type and quality, cheese can cost between $4 to $10 per pound.
- Butter: A pound of butter ranges from $2 to $5, depending on the brand or if it’s organic.
- Yogurt: Greek yogurt or other high-fat varieties can be priced from $1 to $3 per container.
Eggs
Eggs are another staple in the carnivore diet, providing an affordable and versatile food option. A dozen large eggs are usually priced between $1 to $3, depending on the type, brand, or if they’re free-range or organic.
Here’s a table summarizing various costs of products on the carnivore diet:
| Meat Products | Cost per pound |
|---|---|
| Beef | $3 – $20 |
| Pork | $3 – $7 |
| Chicken | $1 – $4 |
| Fish | $1 – $15 |
| Dairy Products | Cost per pound |
|---|---|
| Cheese | $4 – $10 |
| Butter | $2 – $10 |
| Yoghurt | $1 – $4 |
| Egg Products | Cost per dozen |
|---|---|
| Duck | $6 – $12 |
| Hen | $1 – $3 |
According to the information above, if we were to be eating a diet of:
- 30% eggs
- 5% dairy
- 65% meat products
and you were consuming 2500 calories per day, then you would be having roughly per day:
- 10 eggs ($1 – $12)
- 1 oz dairy ($0.25 – $4)
- 1.5 pounds meat ($4.50 – $30)
Therefore, the range you might be spending will be anything from $5.75 – $46 per day (Rough calculation based on the information above).
You could make this even cheaper if you added more eggs and less meat, or if you ate more chicken and less beef for example. So, the big question is…
Is the Carnivore Diet Affordable?
According to U.S.News, the average ‘moderate’ spend is $75 per week per person. The calculations above show that a you can easily fit a ‘cheap’ carnivore diet within that price range (the cheapest end would cost only $40.25 per week!), but the more likely ‘moderate’ carnivore diet would cost around $150 per week. ($25 more than the average).
So, in answer to the question, is the carnivore diet affordable? Yes, it is affordable if you are careful about buying all the cheaper cuts of meat and eggs only. But there are other nuances to the cost of being on a meat only diet that you may also want to consider…
Other Points to Consider About the Affordability of the Carnivore Diet
When comparing the carnivore diet to other diets, you could argue that it is more affordable than other diets. When we look at eating a certain way, what way of eating are we comparing it to? And what are the other indirect affects on cost?
Carnivore Diet vs Other Diets: Costs Compared
In this section, I’ll compare the cost of the carnivore diet to that of other popular diets such as the vegan diet, the keto diet, and the paleo diet…
Vegan Diet Cost vs Carnivore Diet Cost
According to this study, being on a vegan diet would cost around $1.83 (in todays money) more per week than the average standard American diet. This would mean a total of $76.83 compared to the $40 – $150 per week estimation of the carnivore diet.
But this again is if you are buying at the cheapest range, and without buying any ‘meat substitutes’, which are expensive. Cost would increase considerably if you chose to buy all organic, or were also consuming ‘meat-substitute’ types products or other specialty products.
Keto Diet Cost vs Carnivore Diet Cost
The keto diet shares some similarities to carnivore in that it includes high amounts of fat, except it also includes low carb vegetables too. The cost of the keto diet can be higher than other diets, if you are consuming the more expensive vegetable, such as avocados and nut butters.
According to this study, the average keto diet spend would be around $93 – $124, making it on par with the carnivore diet.
Paleo Diet Cost vs Carnivore Diet Cost
The Paleo diet includes meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, while excluding grains, legumes, dairy, and refined sugars. It’s similar to the keto diet, except it also includes higher carb vegetables and fruits.
The cost of the paleo diet can vary, but since it emphasizes consuming high-quality, organic, and grass-fed meats, it may be more expensive than other diets. However, if you choose to ignore the organic aspect, then the diet would be on par with the keto and carnivore diet.
Hidden Cost Savings of the Carnivore Diet
Looking at my own experience in following the carnivore, I expected my grocery bills to go up, but they didn’t. After doing some research and writing this article, I now understand that it isn’t as expensive as you think it’s going to be.
And this is also because there are other indirect cost savings that I never considered…
I No Longer Take Supplements on the Carnivore Diet
Before going carnivore, I used to take many supplements to help with my tiredness, sleep, etc. and now I no longer feel the need to use any as I feel great. This was a cost saving I never expected when going carnivore.
I have Far Fewer Health Issues on the Carnivore Diet
As I mention in my story, I had a whole host of health problems before going on a meat only diet, and I am noticeably healing as the months go by. Am I in peak health? No, but I am very hopeful as long as I continue eating this way.
I used to spend an insame amount of money on my health before going carnivore, including:
- Healthcare appointments
- Alternative therapy appointments
- Medications
- Therapy, etc.
I now spend only a fraction of what I used to. And this is because I am not so sick anymore. And I have no doubt in my mind that this cost will continue to reduce as my health continues to improve.
I Eat Less Often on the Carnivore Diet
One of the amazing things about the carnivore diet, is how long I can go without meals. After the initial 3 months of trying to figure out my hunger signals, I now only feel the need to eat maximum twice a day, but usually only once.
My meals are big, but it does mean that I am not consuming less than I was when eating the average diet. Now that there is no need to add snacks, etc. to my grocery bill, I actually spend less than I used to.
Ways to Reduce the Cost of a Carnivore Diet
Even if I didn’t end up spending more when I started eating this way, it didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy a bargain! I’ve found several effective ways to make the carnivore diet more affordable, and in this section, I’ll share some tips for reducing the cost of a carnivore diet without compromising on quality or nutrition…
Bulk Buying Meat Reduces Costs
One of the most effective ways I’ve found to save money on my carnivore diet is by buying meat in bulk. Large cuts of meat, like whole chickens or large packs of ground beef, often have a lower price per pound than their smaller counterparts. I usually buy meat this way and then divide it into smaller portions and freeze it for future use.
TOP TIP: It is cheaper per pound to buy a whole chicken and cut it into pieces yourself, than it is to buy the individual cuts. Learning this skill is a great way to save on grocery bills.
Some grocery stores and butcher shops also offer discounts for bulk purchases, so it’s worth asking about any deals they might have.
Choosing Cheaper Cuts of Meat Reduces Costs
While I love a good ribeye or filet mignon, these cuts are pretty expensive. To save money, I like to include cheaper cuts of meat. These cuts are still nutritious and flavorful, but they come with a more budget-friendly price tag.
Some cheaper cuts of meat are:
- chicken thighs
- pork shoulder
- ground beef
- brisket
- organ meats
These cuts can be just as satisfying and nutritious making it easy to stay on track on carnivore without breaking the bank.
Local Hunting Reduces Costs
If you have access to hunting, it can be a great way to cut down on the cost of meat in your carnivore diet. I have found that hunting not only saves me money, but it also allows me to source high-quality meat that is free of added hormones and antibiotics.
By hunting locally, I can fill my freezer with wild game, such as:
- deer
- elk
- wild turkey
Hunting provides me with a significant supply of meat, which helps me reduce the overall cost while also having a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly source of meat.
My Actual Costs on the Carnivore Diet
Although the cost of the carnivore diet can vary depending on several factors such as those mentioned above, from my experience, it was nowhere as expensive as I thought it was going to be.
In fact, I wasn’t spending any more on groceries than I was before going carnivore! This was probably down to the fact that I wasn’t ordering those midnight snacks, or going for that ice cream or cake.
So, while many people might quickly assume that an all-meat diet is extremely expensive, it didn’t make any difference to the amount I actually ended up spending. And I actually saved in other areas, like healthcare and medications.
It’s essential to consider the potential benefits of the carnivore diet, before making a decision on assumed cost alone. And if needed, there are some really effective ways to make this way of eating more budget friendly.
NOTE: Aside from cost, there are also other considerations, such as sustainability of the carnivore diet to consider. Check out my article here for more information on this topic.