So, you’re rocking the Carnivore diet, or maybe you’re thinking about diving in. You’re all about meat, glorious meat! But then the question pops up: can you enjoy a juicy sausage? The answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Let’s break it down.

Highlights:
- Yes, but choose wisely: Sausage can be part of a Carnivore diet, but it’s crucial to select the right kind.
- Meat is key: Look for sausages that are primarily meat (beef, pork, lamb, chicken, venison).
- Low carbs are essential: Avoid added sugars, fillers, and other carb sources.
- Minimal additives are best: Simple seasonings are okay, but watch out for long ingredient lists.
- Check the label: Always read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel.
- Homemade is ideal: Making your own sausage gives you complete control over the ingredients.
- Nutritional variations exist: Different sausage types have varying levels of fat, protein, and (sometimes) carbs.
- Consider your Carnivore style: Strict vs. more flexible approaches will influence your sausage choices.
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What is the Carnivore Diet?
The Carnivore diet is all about animal products. Think meat (beef, pork, lamb, you name it!), fish, eggs, and sometimes dairy. The goal is often to get into ketosis, where your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbs. This can help with weight loss, blood sugar control, and even mental clarity for some people.
On the Carnivore Diet, you can eat:
- Meat, like beef, pork, lamb, and other red meats
- Fish and seafood, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and shellfish
- Dairy, like cheese, butter, and double cream
- Eggs
Lots of people on the Carnivore Diet also enjoy sausage. So, let’s find out which types of sausages are okay to eat.
Can You Eat Sausage on a Carnivore Diet?
Yes, you can eat sausage on a Carnivore diet, but there’s a catch. Not all sausages are created equal. The key is to choose sausages that are primarily meat and free from a lot of the extra stuff that doesn’t fit the Carnivore lifestyle.
The Sausage Lowdown:
A good Carnivore-friendly sausage should be:
- Mostly Meat: Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, venison – these are your friends. The higher the meat content, the better.
- Low Carb: Watch out for added sugars, fillers, and other carb sources. Keep those carbs as low as possible.
- Minimal Additives: Simple seasonings like salt and pepper are usually okay. But be wary of long ingredient lists filled with things you can’t pronounce.
What to Avoid For in Sausage:
Many sausages contain ingredients that aren’t Carnivore-friendly, such as:
- Plant-Based Fillers: Soy, grains, and other fillers are often used to bulk up sausages, but they’re a no-go on Carnivore.
- Sugars and Sweeteners: Added sugars and artificial sweeteners are high in carbs and should be avoided.
- Vegetable Oils: These plant-based oils don’t align with the focus on animal fats.
The Best Sausage Choice on Carnivore Diet:
Here are some sausages that are generally good options for a Carnivore diet (always check the label!):

- Beef Sausage: A classic Carnivore choice, high in protein and fat, and usually low in carbs.
- Pork Sausage: Another solid option, known for its rich flavor and good fat content.
- Lamb Sausage: A delicious and often minimally seasoned choice.
- Chicken Sausage: A leaner option, but make sure it has added animal fats to boost the fat content.
- Venison Sausage: A good source of protein and healthy fats, but can be lower in protein than other options.
These sausages are great choices because they’re usually made with 100% meat and hardly any extra bits, making them perfect for the Carnivore Diet.
Nutritional Breakdown of Common Carnivore-Friendly Sausages (per 100g):
Sausage Type | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
Beef | 332 | 28 | 0.35 | 18.2 |
Pork | 325 | 27.25 | 1.42 | 18.53 |
Lamb | 333 | 29.17 | 0 | 14.58 |
Chicken | 176 | 10.59 | 5.88 | 14.12 |
Venison | 299 | 26.1 | 4.29 | 10.9 |
Note: These values can vary slightly depending on the brand and specific ingredients.
What is the best sausage for a Carnivore breakfast?
Pork and beef sausages are top choices because they’re packed with good stuff.
Pork sausage gives you lots of protein and healthy fats, which are super important for energy on the Carnivore Diet. It’s also got B12 for your brain and energy, and the fat in pork is good for your heart. Plus, it’s full of zinc and iron, which are great for your immune system and getting oxygen around your body. Basically, pork sausage for breakfast will keep you full and going strong all morning.
Beef sausage is another winner. It’s high in protein and has iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which help your muscles, immune system, and energy levels. Beef sausage also has all the amino acids your body needs to build and repair muscles, and it’s got a special fat called CLA that can help you lose fat and keep your heart healthy.
To make it easy for you, we’ve listed the most popular and healthy sausage choices for your Carnivore meals.

Top 5 Sausages for Carnivore Diet:
Let’s talk about some common sausages and how they fit into the Carnivore Diet. These are popular because they taste good and are easy to find.
- Summer Sausage: This is a semi-dry sausage made from pork and beef. It has a tangy taste because it’s cured and fermented. It’s usually low in carbs, but always check the label because some brands sneak in sugar, corn syrup, or other stuff you don’t want on Carnivore.
If you find one with just meat, salt, and spices, it can be a good option. 100 grams of summer sausage has about 250 calories, 20 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 16 grams of protein.
- Italian Sausage: Italian sausage is typically made from pork and has a strong flavour, often from fennel or anise. The problem is, many Italian sausages have added sugar or plant-based spices, which aren’t Carnivore-friendly. If you can find a simple version with just meat and basic seasonings, it’s a better choice.
Making your own at home with Carnivore-approved ingredients is the best way to go! 100 grams has roughly 290 calories, 24 grams of fat, 3 grams of carbs, and 14 grams of protein.
- Vienna Sausage: These are small, canned sausages, usually made from pork, beef, or chicken. They often have preservatives and flavourings added, and although they are low in carbs, they aren’t ideal for a strict Carnivore diet because of those extra ingredients.
Even so, they are fairly high in fat and protein, with minimal carbohydrates. 100 grams of Vienna sausage provides about 208 calories, 17 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 10 grams of protein.
- Jimmy Dean Sausage: Jimmy Dean sausages are a popular breakfast choice, but many varieties have corn syrup, dextrose, and other things that don’t fit the Carnivore diet. Because of these added sugars and fillers, they’re not suitable for strict Carnivores.
If you can find a plain version with just meat and simple ingredients, it could be okay. 100 grams of Jimmy Dean sausage has approximately 339 calories, 27 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 21 grams of protein.
- Smoked Sausage: Smoked sausage covers lots of different types. Some smoked sausages can be Carnivore-friendly if they don’t have added sugars, fillers, or artificial ingredients. The key is to always read the label to make sure it’s just meat and nothing else.
Homemade Sausage on Carnivore Diet
Making your own sausage is a fantastic way to control exactly what goes into it. You can choose your favorite meats, add Carnivore-friendly seasonings, and avoid all the unwanted extras.

Sausage and Different Carnivore Approaches:
It’s worth noting that there are different ways to do Carnivore. Some people are very strict, sticking only to ruminant meat, salt, and water (sometimes called the Lion Diet). Others are more flexible, including things like poultry, seafood, and even some dairy. Your approach will influence which sausages are best for you.
If you’re on one of the following Carnivore diet categories, here’s how sausages fit in:
- Strict Carnivore (Lion Diet): No sausages allowed. This version is super limited, focusing only on ruminant meat (like beef), salt, water, and animal fat for cooking.
- Classic Carnivore: Sausages are okay! This version includes all kinds of meat, bacon, seafood, organ meats, eggs, some dairy (like cheese and double cream), and sometimes coffee, tea, herbs, and spices.
- Animal-Based Carnivore: Sausages are welcome. This is similar to Classic Carnivore, but it also includes dairy like milk, plus some fruit and honey. This version tends to be higher in carbs because of the fruit and honey.
- Keto Carnivore (Ketovore): Sausages are fine. This isn’t strictly Carnivore, but it’s still low-carb (usually under 40g of carbs a day). It includes animal products, but also some fruit, vegetables, plant-based oils, nuts, and seeds.
Conclusion
So, can you eat sausage on the Carnivore Diet? The answer is yes, but it’s not quite that simple. You need to be a label detective and choose sausages that are mostly meat, low in carbs, and free of unnecessary additives. Making your own sausage is the best way to be absolutely sure of what’s in it. Different Carnivore approaches might have different rules about sausage, so choose what works best for you. Enjoy your meaty feast, but choose wisely!