Keto vs Carnivore: What’s the Difference?

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What’s the real difference between a ketogenic diet and a carnivore diet? Are they worlds apart, or more like different points on the same spectrum?

In this episode, we break down the similarities, the key differences, and the misconceptions around both approaches. You’ll hear why there’s no single “keto” or “carnivore” diet — only the version that actually works for your body and your life.

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Meet the Host

Tristan Haggard is the voice behind the Primal Edge Health podcast. He’s helped thousands find health through nutrient-dense eating, keto, and carnivore diets by focusing on real food, simple habits, and a holistic approach to wellness. He’s also into homesteading and raising his family with a back-to-basics lifestyle.

Connect with Tristan on X.

Episode Highlights

Keto and carnivore share a lot of ground. Both focus on stabilizing blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and fueling the body with nutrient-dense fats and proteins. The difference comes down to plants.

Keto includes small amounts of low-carb vegetables and occasional foods like nuts or dairy. Carnivore strips it back to the essentials: animal foods that humans can digest completely and thrive on. For many long-term keto eaters, the natural next step is cutting out the plants that cause digestive distress or inflammation.

For me, that meant moving toward a ketogenic carnivore diet. It’s still low carb, still focused on energy and performance, but built around steaks, eggs, liver, heart, and bone marrow. These are the most nutrient-dense foods on earth, and they keep me feeling steady, strong, and clear.

Bottom line: you don’t have to choose sides. Whether you land on keto, carnivore, or somewhere in between, what matters most is that you feel good, perform well, and enjoy the process.

In this episode:

• How “keto” and “carnivore” differ in philosophy and practice
• The biggest misconceptions about plant foods and digestion
• Why plant toxins like lectins and oxalates cause issues for some people
• How many naturally drift from keto to carnivore over time
• The value of organ meats, bone marrow, and animal fats
• Why the best diet is the one you can enjoy and sustain

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Meet Our Sponsor

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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. The content presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or dietary changes. Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk.