Is Honey Carnivore?
As you may guess, honey is not a Carnivore food, and the strict Carnivore diet excludes it as it is a plant-based product containing carbohydrates.
Can You Eat Honey on the Carnivore Diet?
If you aim to reach the Carnivore results, you’d better stick to the rules and avoid honey. However, less strict versions of the Carnivore diet allow minimal amounts of honey as some dieters cannot exclude it for its taste or health benefits.
Anyhow, if you choose to use honey on a Carnivore diet as a natural sweetener, you should minimize your consumption to decrease its negative effects on the Carnivore results.
Learn More: Can You Eat Sauce on a Carnivore Diet? [The Best Sauces to Eat]
Can You Have Raw Honey on the Carnivore Diet?
Raw honey is minimally processed and contains more of its natural nutrients, but it is still a plant-based product, and you must avoid it if you’re a true Carnivore.
Having said that, we know that the decision is yours. If you can’t cut honey all at once, you can gradually minimize your consumption so you can cut it after some time.
Also, if it’s hard for you to decide, you can easily consult a healthcare professional or a Carnivore coach to check the effects of including honey in your Carnivore diet.
Honey Contains Anti-Oxidants
Research shows that honey is rich in phenolic compounds, which have strong antioxidant properties. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that honey contains a variety of flavonoids and phenolic acids, which contribute to its antioxidant capacity .
How to Eat Honey on a Carnivore Diet?
If you choose to start the Carnivore diet with a relaxed version, which is not strict on forgetting all about carbohydrates, and you wish to use honey, you need to pay attention to the following points.
- Consume in Moderation: Do not overeat honey, and try to minimize your consumption gradually. Even on a relaxed Carnivore diet, you must prioritize animal-based foods.
- Raw Honey: Consume raw, unprocessed honey as it contains more nutrients and enzymes than processed honey.
- Natural Sweetener: You can use minimal honey as a natural sweetener in tea or coffee.
- Pair with Animal Products: Honey can be part of a sauce or glaze for meat dishes in a relaxed Carnivore diet.
- Pre- or Post-Workout: Some Carnivores consume honey as a source of quick energy, especially before or after workouts.
- Monitor Your Body: Consider your body’s reactions when reintroducing honey or other non-carnivorous foods and modify your approach accordingly.
Learn More: The 20 Best Carnivore Diet Websites [Free Carnivore Sources + Blogs]
The Benefits of Having Honey on the Carnivore Diet
Although honey is not generally allowed on a strict Carnivore diet, some dieters use it for various health benefits it can offer. Honey contains phytochemical, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, which can improve various diseases [1].
Honey can have positive effects of curing or alleviating the symptoms of various diseases, including diabetes mellitus, respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and nervous system problems, even it can help cancer treatment because of containing antioxidants [2].
Honey is also known as a complementary and alternative medicine for most illnesses [3]. Let's learn more about other benefits of honey.
Natural Sweetener
Honey contains glucose and fructose, providing a sweet taste without refined sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Energy Source
Honey is rich in carbohydrates and can provide a quick source of energy for athletes or those doing intense workouts.
Rich in Antioxidants
Honey includes antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids, which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Flavonoids and polyphenols, which act as antioxidants, are two main bioactive molecules in honey [4].
Honey Has Anti-Microbial Effects
Honey has been widely recognized for its antimicrobial properties. A review in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine highlighted honey's effectiveness against various bacterial and fungal infections, thanks to its hydrogen peroxide content, high acidity, and osmotic effect .
Immune Support
Some studies show that raw honey has antimicrobial properties, which can support the immune system.
Digestive Benefits
Honey can soothe sore throats and coughs and strengthen the digestive system against bacteria. It also contains polyphenols, which can target inflammatory pathways in gastrointestinal tract disorders, edema, cancer, metabolic diseases, and gut microbiota [5].
Variety
Honey can add variety to the taste and texture of different foods.
Learn More: Can You Eat Pickles on a Carnivore Diet? Is It Healthy?
Honey Nutrition
Let’s take a look at the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals found in 100 grams of honey. You know that the numbers are approximate and can vary based on the type of honey.
- Carbohydrates: ~82.4 g
- Calories: ~ 304 calories
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): ~0.1 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): ~0.03 mg
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): ~0.1 mg
- Calcium: ~6 mg
- Iron: ~0.42 mg
- Magnesium: ~2 mg
- Phosphorus: ~4 mg
- Potassium: ~52 mg
- Zinc: ~0.22 mg
Summary
So, although I love honey, I’d better avoid it as I’m following a strict Carnivore diet. The aim of the true Carnivore is to boost weight loss and bring various health benefits by minimizing carbs from plant-based foods.
Honey is a yummy and healthy plant-based product not allowed on the strict Carnivore diet. However, less strict versions of the Carnivore diet may allow minimal honey.
If you can’t omit honey at the beginning of the diet because of its taste or health benefits, and if you choose to include honey in your Carnivore diet, try to gradually minimize your consumption to get the best results.
