Following a carnivore diet can be a life-changing decision for many, but let’s be real: the idea of doing it perfectly, 100% of the time, can feel overwhelming, stressful, and maybe even counterproductive for some. For people who are juggling family life, kids, work, social events, and travel, sticking to a strict carnivore diet can sometimes cause more harm than good. That’s where the concept of an imperfect carnivore diet comes in – and for many, it’s the perfect choice.
Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a friend who’s been following what she calls an “imperfect” carnivore diet for nearly three years. Her approach might surprise you, and I think there are some valuable lessons here for those who are new to the diet or considering giving it a try.
As always, take what resonates with you, and feel free to leave the rest. Everyone’s journey is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health and diet.
The Imperfect Approach
My friend’s version of the carnivore diet isn’t perfect in the sense that she never eats a single non-animal-based food, but it’s pretty close. About 99% of the food she consumes comes from fresh, wholefood animal sources – beef, lamb, pork, chicken, eggs, fish, and organ meats. That’s a huge focus on high-quality nutrient-dense animal products, which is the core of the carnivore diet.
She happens to prefer affordable, fatty cuts of meat like lamb shoulder, lamb belly, budget ground beef, chicken wings, pork belly, and offal, but she never worries about counting calories or calculating fat-to-protein ratios. She doesn’t stress about whether she’s meeting the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for essential nutrients either. She eats one to two times a day, stopping when the meat no longer tastes good, and that’s it. She feels great and, at the moment, is happy with her health, which, she says, has never been better.
However, she does allow herself a little leeway when it comes to plant-based foods, especially when cooking (and tasting) for her family members who aren’t following the carnivore diet. She’ll include small amounts of fruits or vegetables in their meals, and if it’s a special occasion, like a birthday, she’s not opposed to sharing a fruit salad or ice cream with the kids or enjoying a small piece of cake to celebrate. It’s not about perfection; it’s about making choices that fit her lifestyle without stressing over every bite.
She also mentioned that when she travels, she either fasts, packs carnivore-friendly snacks, or, if necessary, orders a burger without the bun and just eats the meat patty. At work functions, she’s open to trying dishes that might contain a small amount of plant-based foods. She doesn’t beat herself up if she’s in a situation where sticking to 100% carnivore isn’t possible. She’s not stressed about the occasional slip-up because she knows it won’t derail her progress. Plus, she’s fortunate that a small amount of non-carnivore food doesn’t trigger any health issues, unlike what some people might experience, such as rashes, upset stomachs, or autoimmune reactions. A little bit of carbs on rare occasions doesn’t lead her down a path to a full-blown omnivore or high-carbs diet, nor does it trigger carbs cravings like it might for others.
The Stress-Free Approach and Why Perfection Isn’t Always Necessary
One thing that really stood out in my conversation with her was how much she values the stress-free aspect of her imperfect carnivore approach. While she could easily commit to eating strictly carnivore all the time, she doesn’t feel the need to obsess over it. Sure, eating carnivore 100% of the time might bring a tiny health improvement, but at what cost? The potential stress and constant scrutiny from others (boss, co-workers, friends, and family members) about her diet – not being a “rainbow diet” and lacking fiber, fruits, and vegetables – just isn’t worth the minor benefits that might come from perfection.
This mindset shift is so important. My friend’s approach is a reminder that health isn’t just about food – it’s about balance and mental well-being too. In fact, sometimes the stress of maintaining a rigid diet can actually have negative effects on your health. It’s not just about the food you’re eating – it’s about how the entire process makes you feel.
She said, “This relaxed imperfect carnivore diet is perfect for me at the moment.” And honestly, I couldn’t agree more. By letting go of the pressure to be perfect, she’s able to thrive on the diet without letting it take over her life. She’s found a way to make it work for her unique situation, and that’s something we can all learn from.
It’s also worth noting that our ancestors were facultative carnivores rather than obligate carnivores. This means they were capable of eating both animal-sourced and plant-sourced foods, but they thrived best on animal-based foods (I certainly don’t believe the human brain grew from around 650cc to 1500cc by following a plant-based diet!). By following a diet that’s 99% carnivore and occasionally straying from it, she maintains a level of dietary flexibility that mirrors the way our ancestors ate. This approach allows her to stay aligned with the core principles of the carnivore diet while also embracing the practical flexibility our ancestors would have naturally had in their eating habits. [1]
Why Imperfection Can Be the Perfect Choice for You
We live in a world where we often feel like we need to be perfect in everything we do—whether it’s our health, our careers, or our personal lives. But when it comes to diet, perfection doesn’t always equal better results. An imperfect approach can be just as effective, if not more sustainable in the long run. Below are a few reasons why.
Flexibility Makes it Sustainable
Life happens. You’ll have days where sticking strictly to a carnivore diet just isn’t realistic. Maybe you’re traveling, celebrating a special occasion, or even just eating with family or friends who don’t follow the same diet. Allowing yourself some room to be flexible can help you avoid feelings of guilt, failure, deprivation or frustration. It’s this flexibility that makes the carnivore diet more sustainable over time, as long as you’re mindful that it doesn’t turn into a slippery slope back to a standard Western diet high in carbs and ultra-processed foods.
Mental Well-Being Matters
It’s easy to get caught up in the “all or nothing” mentality, but obsessing over food can take a toll on your mental health. The more we stress about following a diet perfectly, the less enjoyable life becomes. And one thing we can all agree on is stress, especially chronic stress, is detrimental to our health. [2, 3, 4]
Despite following a high-carbs diet (which in my view is not optimal), people in the Blue Zones® – such as Okinawa (Japan), Loma Linda (USA), Sardinia (Italy), and Icaria (Greece) – are well known for their low rates of chronic disease and exceptionally long life expectancy. These communities share several lifestyle characteristics, including low stress levels and strong social support networks. So, if adhering to a perfect diet causes you stress, it may be worth considering a less rigid approach that brings less stress, while still supporting your health. [5, 6]
Remember the Law of Diminishing Return
If you’re committed to pursuing a strict carnivore diet and want to perfect every detail – calorie intake, meal timing, fat-to-protein ratios, macro and micro nutrient intake, and supplements – that’s completely your choice. But keep in mind the law of diminishing returns: the more effort you put into perfecting one aspect of your diet (while potentially neglecting others), the smaller the additional benefit becomes.
On the other hand, having a good but imperfect diet while investing in other important areas of your life – like staying active, spending time in nature, reducing stress, living a purposeful life, and building a strong support network – can bring significant benefits to your overall health and well-being. These benefits can often far outweigh the small additional gains that come from striving for dietary perfection.
Final Thoughts
By sharing this story, I’m not suggesting you should follow my friend’s approach. If you’re thriving on a strict carnivore diet, that’s great and there’s absolutely no reason to change what’s working for you. But if you’re struggling to achieve perfection for optimal health, especially when there’s no specific health issue you’re trying to resolve, it might be time to ease up a bit, take the pressure off, embrace imperfection, and seek other potential areas of growth.
Perfection isn’t necessary to see improvements in your health and although diet is super important, there are many other factors that can have a significant impact on your health and are worth pursuing.
Also, life is unpredictable, and sometimes taking a more flexible approach can not only be easier but also lead to better results. The key to long-term success is finding a way to make the carnivore diet work for your lifestyle, allowing some room for balance and flexibility along the way.
Other posts you might be interested in:
Is Carnivore the Best Anti-Aging Diet Around?
Debunking Health Risks Associated with Red Meat Consumption
How to Control Carbs Cravings On an Animal-Based Diet
What Are the Best Ways to Cook Meat on the Carnivore Diet?
Grass-fed vs Grain-fed Beef on the Carnivore Diet
Do You Really Need to Fast on the Carnivore Diet?
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for reference purposes only and is not intended to constitute or replace professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified medical professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. Please check out our disclaimer for more detail.
