Carnivore Fats & Oils Guide

23 items classified under standard Carnivore guidelines.

How do fats & oils fare on the Carnivore diet? The answer depends on whether the food comes from an animal. This guide breaks down all 23 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Beef Tallow Allowed 198kcal
Butter Allowed 717kcal
Duck Fat Allowed 136kcal
Ghee Allowed 876kcal
Heavy Cream Allowed 340kcal
Lard Allowed 902kcal
Avocado Oil Not Allowed 884kcal
Canola Oil Not Allowed 900kcal
Coconut Oil Not Allowed 895kcal
Cooking Spray Not Allowed 792kcal
Flaxseed Oil Not Allowed 884kcal
Grapeseed Oil Not Allowed 884kcal
Margarine Not Allowed 579kcal
MCT Oil Not Allowed 884kcal
Olive Oil Not Allowed 900kcal
Palm Oil Not Allowed 134kcal
Peanut Oil Not Allowed 900kcal
Safflower Oil Not Allowed 900kcal
Sesame Oil Not Allowed 884kcal
Shortening Not Allowed 884kcal
Sunflower Oil Not Allowed 900kcal
Vegetable Oil Not Allowed 862kcal
Walnut Oil Not Allowed 884kcal

Classification Breakdown

6 Allowed — These fats & oils are an animal-derived food that fits the carnivore framework. 17 Not Allowed — These are a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes.

Carnivore ranges from "lion diet" (beef, salt, water only) to versions including dairy, eggs, and coffee.

Allowed Fats & Oils (6)

Beef Tallow

Allowed

At 198kcal calories per 100g, Beef Tallow falls into the Allowed category under Carnivore guidelines. The classification reflects that it is an animal-derived food that fits the carnivore framework. Nutritionally, it also delivers 14.7g protein and 14.9g fat per serving. Among the 23 items in this category, beef tallow sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Heavy Cream at 340kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

198kcalCalories
14.7gProtein
14.9gFat
0.1gCarbs
0gFiber

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Butter

Allowed

With 717kcal calories per 100g, Butter earns a Allowed classification on Carnivore. This means it is an animal-derived food that fits the carnivore framework. It also contains 81.1g fat and 643mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Margarine and Cooking Spray for calories, ranking 6 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Salted717kcal0.9g81.1g0.1g0g
Unsalted717kcal0.9g81.1g0.1g0g

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Duck Fat

Allowed

With 136kcal calories per 100g, Duck Fat earns a Allowed classification on Carnivore. This means it is an animal-derived food that fits the carnivore framework. It also contains 18.7g protein, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 23 items in this category, duck fat sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Beef Tallow at 198kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

136kcalCalories
18.7gProtein
4.6gFat
3.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Ghee

Allowed

Ghee is classified as Allowed on Carnivore, with 876kcal calories per 100g. This means it is an animal-derived food that fits the carnivore framework. It also contains 99.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Vegetable Oil and Avocado Oil for calories, ranking 9 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

876kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
99.5gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Heavy Cream

Allowed

With 340kcal calories per 100g, Heavy Cream earns a Allowed classification on Carnivore. This means it is an animal-derived food that fits the carnivore framework. It also contains 36.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 23 items in this category, heavy cream sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Margarine at 579kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Heavy Cream340kcal2.8g36.1g2.8g0g
Light Cream195kcal3g19.1g3.7g0g

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Lard

Allowed

At 902kcal calories per 100g, Lard falls into the Allowed category under Carnivore guidelines. It is an animal-derived food that fits the carnivore framework. Beyond the primary classification, lard also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Sunflower Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

902kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Not Allowed Fats & Oils (17)

Avocado Oil

Not Allowed

At 884kcal calories per 100g, Avocado Oil falls into the Not Allowed category under Carnivore guidelines. It is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Beyond the primary classification, avocado oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Ghee and Flaxseed Oil for calories, ranking 10 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Canola Oil

Not Allowed

Canola Oil is classified as Not Allowed on Carnivore, with 900kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Coconut Oil at 895kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Coconut Oil

Not Allowed

Coconut Oil is classified as Not Allowed on Carnivore, with 895kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. It also contains 99.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Walnut Oil and Canola Oil for calories, ranking 17 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Virgin (unrefined)892kcal0g99.1g0g0g
MCT Oil862kcal0g100g0g0g

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Cooking Spray

Not Allowed

Cooking Spray is classified as Not Allowed on Carnivore, with 792kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Nutritionally, it also delivers 78.7g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Butter and Vegetable Oil for calories, ranking 7 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

792kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
78.7gFat
20.7gCarbs
0gFiber

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Flaxseed Oil

Not Allowed

At 884kcal calories per 100g, Flaxseed Oil falls into the Not Allowed category under Carnivore guidelines. It is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Beyond the primary classification, flaxseed oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Avocado Oil and Grapeseed Oil for calories, ranking 11 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0.1gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Grapeseed Oil

Not Allowed

Grapeseed Oil is classified as Not Allowed on Carnivore, with 884kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Flaxseed Oil and MCT Oil for calories, ranking 12 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Grapeseed Oil across all diets

Margarine

Not Allowed

Margarine is classified as Not Allowed on Carnivore, with 579kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. It also contains 65g fat and 694mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 23 items in this category, margarine sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Butter at 717kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

579kcalCalories
0.2gProtein
65gFat
0.8gCarbs
0gFiber

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MCT Oil

Not Allowed

MCT Oil is classified as Not Allowed on Carnivore, with 884kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Grapeseed Oil and Sesame Oil for calories, ranking 13 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare MCT Oil across all diets

Olive Oil

Not Allowed

At 900kcal calories per 100g, Olive Oil falls into the Not Allowed category under Carnivore guidelines. It is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Beyond the primary classification, olive oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Canola Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Extra Virgin884kcal0g100g0g0g
Light/Refined884kcal0g100g0g0g

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Palm Oil

Not Allowed

With 134kcal calories per 100g, Palm Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Carnivore. This means it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Among the 23 items in this category, palm oil sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Duck Fat at 136kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

134kcalCalories
2.6gProtein
2.7gFat
24.8gCarbs
1.5gFiber

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Peanut Oil

Not Allowed

Peanut Oil is classified as Not Allowed on Carnivore, with 900kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Olive Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Safflower Oil

Not Allowed

With 900kcal calories per 100g, Safflower Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Carnivore. This means it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Peanut Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Sesame Oil

Not Allowed

With 884kcal calories per 100g, Sesame Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Carnivore. It is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Beyond the primary classification, sesame oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between MCT Oil and Shortening for calories, ranking 14 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Shortening

Not Allowed

With 884kcal calories per 100g, Shortening earns a Not Allowed classification on Carnivore. This means it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Sesame Oil and Walnut Oil for calories, ranking 15 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Sunflower Oil

Not Allowed

With 900kcal calories per 100g, Sunflower Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Carnivore. This means it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Safflower Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Vegetable Oil

Not Allowed

With 862kcal calories per 100g, Vegetable Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Carnivore. It is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Beyond the primary classification, vegetable oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Cooking Spray and Ghee for calories, ranking 8 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

862kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Walnut Oil

Not Allowed

At 884kcal calories per 100g, Walnut Oil falls into the Not Allowed category under Carnivore guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a plant or plant-derived product, which carnivore excludes. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Shortening and Coconut Oil for calories, ranking 16 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Walnut Oil across all diets