Do you want to try following an animal-based diet but don’t know which foods to buy? Starting a new diet can make grocery shopping feel a little overwhelming at first. You may stand in the aisle and wonder which foods you should prioritize, and what belongs in your shopping cart.
In this guide, we've put together a beginner-friendly grocery list with the main foods commonly included in an animal-based diet to make your next trip to the store easier.
What Is an Animal-Based Diet?
An animal-based diet focuses primarily on whole, animal-based foods such as meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Unlike a carnivore diet, which consists exclusively of animal foods, an animal-based diet may also include some healthy carbohydrates sources like fruit and honey.
Animal-Based Grocery List: What to Buy
Meat
Meat is a core staple of an animal-based diet. When possible, choose grass-fed meats such as beef, lamb, bison, and venison, and pasture-raised or free-range poultry.
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Beef
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Lamb
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Bison
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Venison
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Chicken
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Turkey
Organ Meats
While muscle meat provides a variety of nutrients, organ meats are naturally more nutrient-dense. This means they contain higher concentrations of many vitamins and minerals, and even small servings can provide a substantial amount of nutrients.
Some of the most common organ meats include:
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Liver
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Heart
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Kidney
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Spleen
Choose grass-fed and pasture-raised organ meats for higher quality.
Organ meats can be difficult to enjoy for people who aren’t used to their distinct taste and texture. If you want to include organ meats in your diet without eating them directly, freeze-dried organ capsules can be a better alternative for you.
Seafood
Choose wild-caught seafood when possible. If you're buying canned seafood, such as sardines, try looking for brands that are transparent about their heavy metal testing and prioritize products with low reported levels whenever this information is available.
Some popular seafood options include:
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Salmon
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Mackerel
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Sardines
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Cod
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Shrimp
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Oysters
Eggs
Eggs are another staple in many animal-based diets. They are available in different varieties, including pasture-raised, free-range, organic, and conventional. Many people prefer eggs from hens with more access to the outdoors, such as pasture-raised or free-range, while organic eggs also follow additional standards for feed and animal welfare. Ultimately, all eggs provide a convenient source of protein and various important nutrients, such as fat soluble vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin.
Dairy
Dairy products are often included in an animal-based diet if they're well tolerated. Some people prefer raw dairy products where they're legally available, while others opt for pasteurized dairy. Many people also look for dairy from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals.
Here are some examples of dairy products to always have at home:
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Butter
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Milk
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Cheese
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Yogurt
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Kefir
Bone Broth
Bone broth is a slow-simmered broth made from animal bones. The broth is naturally rich in collagen and contains minerals released from the bones during cooking. Bone broth has been consumed in traditional diets for generations and remains a nutrient-dense staple even today.
You can make your own bone broth at home or buy a ready-made version. When choosing a pre-made version, look for products made from grass-fed beef bones or free-range chicken bones, with minimal ingredients and no additives.
Animal Fats
Common animal-based fat sources include:
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Butter
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Tallow
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Ghee
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Marrow fat
Some people also include certain plant-based fat sources, such as olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, avocado, and dark chocolate.
Fruit
Unlike a carnivore diet, an animal-based diet often includes carbohydrate-rich foods like fruit.
The most common fruits people enjoy on an animal-based diet include:
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Bananas
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Berries
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Kiwi
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Oranges
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Apples
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Pineapple
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Melons
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Dates
When it comes to non-sweet fruits, some people include cucumber, avocado, olives, squash, and pumpkin.
Honey & Maple Syrup
Some people include natural sweeteners like raw honey and maple syrup, often in moderation.
Other Foods
While animal-based diets primarily focus on animal foods, some people also include foods such as white rice, sweet potatoes, and sourdough bread if tolerated.
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White rice
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Sweet potatoes
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Sourdough bread
Foods to Limit or Avoid on an Animal-Based Diet
The animal-based diet is mainly centered around whole foods, therefore, the following foods are generally not recommended on this diet:
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Ultra-processed foods
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Refined seed oils
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Sugary drinks
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Highly processed snacks
Printable Animal-Based Grocery Checklist
Screenshot the checklist below or download the printable PDF to bring with you the next time you're grocery shopping.
Meat
☐ Beef
☐ Lamb
☐ Bison
☐ Venison
☐ Chicken
☐ Turkey
Organ Meats
☐ Liver
☐ Heart
☐ Kidney
☐ Spleen
Seafood
☐ Salmon
☐ Sardines
☐ Mackerel
☐ Cod
☐ Oysters
☐ Shrimp
Eggs
☐ Eggs
Dairy
☐ Cheese
☐ Milk
☐ Yogurt
☐ Kefir
Animal Fats
☐ Butter
☐ Tallow
☐ Marrow fat
☐ Ghee
Fruit
☐ Bananas
☐ Berries
☐ Apples
☐ Kiwi
☐ Oranges
☐ Pineapple
☐ Melons
☐ Dates
Other
☐ Bone broth
☐ Honey
☐ Maple syrup
☐ White rice (if tolerated)
☐ Sweet potatoes (if tolerated)
☐ Sourdough bread (if tolerated)
Conclusion
An animal-based grocery list doesn't have to be complicated. Focus on whole or minimally processed animal foods such as meat, seafood, eggs, dairy (if tolerated), and collagen-rich foods like bone broth. From there, you can personalize your shopping list based on your personal preferences.