Sticking to carnivore while trying to maintain a social life can be a challenge. Navigating social events, holidays, date nights, and work functions can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re first starting out.
I promise you, it does get easier with time.
When I first started carnivore, I was pretty much a hermit. I stayed home and cooked all my own food, which made it super easy to stick to the diet.
After I lost weight, I actually wanted to socialize more. I started going out more – to bars, restaurants, concerts, and friends’ houses. This wasn’t always easy, and I definitely made mistakes. But I did learn a thing or two along the way.
In this post, I’m sharing some of the ways I’ve learned to stick to carnivore in almost any situation (while still being social).
Shift Your Mindset
Before we get to the practical stuff, we have to start with a mindset shift.
There will be people in your life – friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances – who think you’re an absolute weirdo. They’ll be certain you’re gonna die of a heart attack or colon cancer at any moment. (Even though those same people didn’t bat an eye when you were slamming down nutrient-devoid junk food every day.)
Some people may be angry, jealous, concerned, or even straight-up offended by your lifestyle. The carnivore diet goes against everything they’ve been brainwashed taught to believe about nutrition.
Be okay with that.
Stop trying to please other people. You aren’t doing this for them, so their opinions don’t matter. Plus, people-pleasing is disempowering and draining. You aren’t on this earth to make others comfortable with your choices.
Remind yourself that:
- You’re not a weirdo. You’re someone who isn’t afraid to challenge outdated mainstream ideals of health. You’re someone who thinks outside the box. You take your health into your own hands after the modern healthcare system failed you.
- You’re not depriving yourself. You’re intentionally choosing a diet that promotes health, longevity, energy, and vitality. There’s no deprivation when you eat a proper human diet.
- You’re not missing out. You’re making a better choice for yourself. Refusing to participate in something that actively harms you is not “missing out.” I don’t know about you, but I never feel I’m missing anything by turning down sweets.
- You don’t have an “eating disorder.” (People love to throw this one around.) You’re making a deliberate choice to eat this way for the benefit of your own health. You started this diet to reach certain health goals: losing weight, reducing inflammation, healing autoimmune conditions or chronic diseases, managing insulin resistance, and/or improving your mental health.
Always remember who you are (you’re a badass btw), and why you started this. Don’t let the opinions of others change your opinion of yourself and your own choices.
Now, let’s get down to the practical advice.
Eat Before You Go
Parties and get-togethers are so much easier to deal with if you don’t show up hungry. Eating beforehand is the best way to avoid caving and having a “cheat meal.”
If I’m headed to a birthday party, work event, or dinner at someone’s home and I don’t know what’s being served, I’ll just eat some of my own food before I go. Then I’m not hungry or tempted by other food, and I can actually enjoy myself.
Most events will have something you can eat – even if it’s just meat and cheese from the charcuterie board. If possible, I’ll make a small plate to nibble on. If it’s not possible, I just won’t eat at all (and it won’t matter to me if I already ate).
If you’ll be a guest at someone’s home and they’re cooking, you can let them know ahead of time that you have dietary restrictions, that you don’t want them to do anything special for you, and ask if it’s okay if you bring your own dish.
Eating at Restaurants
If you’re going to a restaurant, check the menu online for carnivore options before you go. Most restaurants have online menus these days, and most restuarants will have something that’s carnivore (or can be made carnivore).
Don’t be afraid to ask for modifications within reason. For example, when I go to Texas Roadhouse (one of my favorites), I order a steak with no sides except a salad with no salad – eggs, cheese, bacon only. Or give your sides to whoever you’re dining with. Most people are happy to have an extra!
Bring Your Own Snacks (or Even a Dish)
If you’re going somewhere for several hours – like a cookout, a long car ride, or some kind of all-day event – bring back up! You can keep snacks in your purse (or car) like:
- Beef jerky
- Beef sticks
- Pork rinds
- Cooked bacon
- Tinned sardines
Any shelf-stable or dry-cured meat that doesn’t need refrigeration works. (Make sure to check for added sugar in these types of products.)
Then, no matter what the day holds, at least you won’t be starving. You can eat a ribeye when you get back home!
If I’m invited to a potluck or dinner party where guests can bring food, I’ll bring at least two carnivore dishes. Deviled eggs (carnivore style), sliced brisket, meatballs, bacon-wrapped sausages, meat and cheese tray, etc. I try to bring something a little more elevated that the other guests would enjoy too.
Learn to Say No
You will inevitably find yourself in situations where food is available, but nothing is carnivore-friendly.
It’s okay to attend a social event and say “no” to the food. No one can make you eat anything you don’t want to eat. You’re the only one responsible for what goes in your mouth.
If you’re questioned, be firm but polite:
“Oh, thank you so much. I already ate before I came, but I really appreciate the offer.“
“That looks delicious, I’m just not eating sugar/carbs right now.”
“I’m not hungry right now, but I’d love to have a coffee with you.”
Sometimes you’ll be questioned again (and again). Stay strong.
My grandmother was an old southern lady who took offense if I turned down food while visiting. She would not stop until I ate something. To her, serving food was a way of showing love. It was hard, but I always stayed firm. I kept telling her I’m not hungry, but I appreciate her hospitality. Eventually, she’d get the point (or I’d leave).
It’s not always easy to refuse, especially with family members like my granny. Just say no with kindness and move on. It’s not your responsibility to make other people comfortable.
Also, you do NOT have to explain yourself to anyone. You can politely decline without telling everyone you’re on the carnivore diet. Sometimes it will save you some grief to keep it to yourself.
Food Doesn’t Equal Fun
You can still have fun at parties and gatherings, even when you’re on the carnivore diet.
You can celebrate a friend’s birthday without eating cake. You can go on a girl’s night and just hang out. You can go on vacation and enjoy the experience without diving face-first into the dessert bar.
When you separate food from fun, you start living life differently. (I also had to take this approach with alcohol. You can have fun without it!) You learn that joy doesn’t have to come with a side of regret.
When in Doubt, Fast
In some cases, the best option is just to fast.
You’ll survive a few hours without food if you end up somewhere that’s not carnivore-friendly. Have some water or coffee if possible, enjoy yourself as best you can, and look forward to the steak waiting for you back home.
Fasting is great for both mental and physical health (and weight loss too if that’s your goal). And as you probably know, once you’re fat adapted, fasting isn’t that difficult – especially for short periods of time.
Remember Why You Started
If you’re ever in a situation where you feel tempted, think about why you started carnivore in the first place.
For me, it’s managing my PCOS and insulin resistance, improving my mental health, and reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. Carnivore helped me lose 100 lbs and put my PCOS into remission. That’s worth way more than a slice of pizza or piece of cake.
Once you’ve been doing carnivore for a while, the temptations lessen. At least, that’s been my experience. It gets easier to pass up sweets and junk food. But it may take more time to become comfortable saying “no” to your friends and family.
You can do it! That part also gets easier with time and practice. Before long, people will stop pushing food at you because they already know what your response will be.
Be Okay with Being Different
You will stand out sometimes. Most people don’t understand carnivore and will ask questions (sometimes invasively). You may be teased or lectured. You may encounter people who disguise criticism as “just worried about your health,” especially on the internet.
But…fuck ’em.
You don’t live like everyone else, and that’s a good thing.
Most people aren’t thriving. They aren’t healthy, and they aren’t willing to do what you’re doing. Sticking to carnivore takes discipline and intention, and most people don’t have either.
Be proud of yourself for everything you accomplish, and embrace being different. It’s better than being average and miserable just to fit in.
What I’ve Learned
After living this way through holidays, road trips, parties, and ordinary Tuesdays, here’s what I’ve learned about sticking to the carnivore diet no matter what life throws at you:
- Mindset matters most. Always remember who you are, and why you started this. Stop trying to please other people.
- Always be prepared. Eat beforehand and/or pack snacks if you’re unsure of the food situation.
- It’s okay to say no. You can politely decline food without explaining yourself to everyone.
- Fun doesn’t require food. You can enjoy people and experiences without indulging in things that don’t serve you.
- Fasting is a great tool. If there’s nothing for you, it’s fine to skip a meal. You will survive.
- Remember the “why.” If you ever feel tempted, remind yourself of your goals on carnivore.
- It’s okay to stand out. Most people don’t have the discipline that you do, so be proud of yourself!
The longer you live this way, the easier it gets to choose what’s right for you. Learn to stand up for yourself respectfully, prepare for social events ahead of time, always have food ready at home, and be okay with fasting if necessary. That’s the best advice I can give.
Good luck out there!
How do you deal with social situations when food is involved? Leave a comment below and let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
PS. If you liked this post, check out the YouTube video I made on the same topic:
