Expert Q&A

When you guys are doing carnivore are you really eating butter and stuff?? Like if I were to eat 1lb ground beef and 1 ribeye a day is that enough? I’m 6’2 315lbs trying to drop weight?

Understanding the Carnivore Approach for Sustainable Weight Loss

I help many men in their late 40s and early 50s transition to an animal-based way of eating when every other diet has failed. The carnivore diet eliminates plant foods, focusing solely on meat, fish, eggs, and sometimes dairy. This simplicity removes the conflicting nutrition advice that overwhelms beginners and addresses hormonal changes like declining testosterone that make fat loss harder after 45.

Your proposed 1lb ground beef plus one ribeye daily totals roughly 2.5-3lbs of meat, delivering about 180-220g of protein and 150-200g of fat. For a 6'2", 315lb man this can work during fat-loss phases because it creates a moderate calorie deficit around 1800-2200 calories while keeping you highly satiated. However, most men your size need closer to 2.5-4lbs total animal products daily to preserve muscle and manage blood sugar effectively alongside diabetes.

Is Butter Really Part of Carnivore Eating?

Yes, many practitioners include butter, tallow, or ghee. These provide extra fat that helps meet energy needs without carbs, especially important when joint pain limits exercise. Butter adds flavor and calories; one or two tablespoons daily can increase satiety and support consistent weight loss of 1-2lbs per week. In my methodology outlined in The Metabolic Reset, I recommend starting with fattier cuts or adding 20-40g of butter or beef tallow if hunger persists or energy dips during the first 4-6 weeks of adaptation.

Practical Adjustments for Your Body and Lifestyle

At 315lbs with joint pain, focus first on consistency rather than perfection. Your current meat amount is a solid baseline but consider adding 2-4 eggs or 4-6oz of liver weekly for micronutrients that support blood pressure and diabetes management. Track your weight weekly; if loss stalls below 1lb per week after 30 days, increase fat intake via butter rather than more protein. No complex meal plans needed—just salt your meat generously and eat when hungry within a 6-8 hour window to leverage natural intermittent fasting benefits.

Insurance rarely covers these programs, so this low-cost approach (under $12 daily) fits middle-income budgets. Many clients report reduced joint inflammation within 3-4 weeks, making light walking feasible. Stay hydrated with 100-120oz water plus electrolytes to avoid the fatigue common in early adaptation.

Expected Progress and Long-Term Mindset

Realistic results for someone your size: 25-40lbs lost in the first 90 days when meat portions are adjusted upward slightly and butter is used to hit satiety. This beats the yo-yo cycles you've experienced because it stabilizes insulin and reduces inflammation. Combine with short daily walks despite joint discomfort—start at 10 minutes. The simplicity removes embarrassment around obesity management; no calorie counting or gym schedules required. Reassess every 30 days and adjust fat sources like butter based on energy, sleep, and scale movement.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong interest in carnivore for stubborn weight loss after 45, especially among men dealing with joint pain and blood sugar issues. Most practitioners agree that 2-3lbs of meat daily is a good starting point for someone 6'2" and over 300lbs, but many add butter, tallow or extra fatty cuts when energy lags or weight loss plateaus. There's lively debate about including dairy: some swear by butter for satiety and easier adherence, while a vocal minority sticks to strict meat-only and reports slower but steady progress. Beginners often share stories of 15-30lb losses in the first two months but warn about the adaptation period involving fatigue. Insurance and cost concerns resonate; people appreciate the minimal time commitment compared to traditional diets. Overall sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with experienced users encouraging patience and electrolyte use rather than dramatic calorie cuts.
Clark, R. (2026). When you guys are doing carnivore are you really eating butter and stuff?? Like . *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/when-you-guys-are-doing-carnivore-are-you-really-eating-butter-and-stuff-like-if-i-were-to-eat-1lb-ground-beef-and-1-ribeye-a-day-is-that-enough-i-m-6-2-315lbs-trying-to-drop-weight
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ Low TSH, Low T4, and Low T3 simultaneously on Levothyroxine — anyone experienced this and the role of cortisol and stress hormones — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Coke Zero gave me heart palpitations: what to track and how to measure progress and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ How I Lost 22lbs in 3 Months (155→133lbs at 5'8") after not being able to lose weight for a long time if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ What do you eat grain/carb wise, and why — how a functional medicine approach differs for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ If a random dance partner app existed .. would you try it: how to talk to your doctor about this if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 Smart Cycling — The strategic alternating of medication doses with planned 'off' periods to prevent receptor desensitization and ensure … ▸ I am on my second week of mounjaro (2.5 mg dose ), but there is no drop on the weighing scale, I am feeling demotivated, can anyone guide me, isn’t mounjaro for me for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) — what the research actually says? ▸ How long until I start losing weight this way — how a functional medicine approach differs and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ 78kg to 58kg for an 18 y/o: How likely am I to have loose skin after weight loss specifically for women over 40 — what certified coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ What are the wegovy doses in order on a low-carb or ketogenic diet when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Beef/Beef organs protein powder: what to track and how to measure progress if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 Strategic Fat Loading — A critical 48-hour phase at the start of the reset where we prime the body with healthy fats to trigger the transition f… ▸ Omnipod. Starting an insulin pump help while doing intermittent fasting on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Is the carnivore diet the best WOE to lose weight — what does the research actually say specifically for women over 40? ▸ Does mental health predict diabetes as much as BMI? Interesting ML study results: how to talk to your doctor about this for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Coke Zero gave me heart palpitations: what to track and how to measure progress for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Fitter or kidding myself: how to talk to your doctor about this if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Do you guys eat 100% clean all the time — what does the research actually say for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ What is the connection between Metformin (6 weeks in) for insulin resistance — can the gut stuff actually get better and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📖 High-Dose Dependency — The pharmaceutical trap of staying on maximum medication doses indefinitely, which we avoid through our smart cycling me… ▸ Exercise — when and what kind while fasting, and does it enhance autophagy — how a functional medicine approach differs specifically for women over 40? ▸ Good calorie amount? Advice to get high volume low cal and more protein when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances — what the research actually says? ▸ Sugar free 2020, who's with me — what most people get wrong about this: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ What foods to stock for overnight guest — evidence-based answer for CFP patients — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ I wanted to ask what is the science behind not allowing any fat during the fat burning phase like how critical is it if I ever had a tiny bit of half-and-half or a tiny bit of olive oil? Is it really do something to the body. ▸ What is your immediate go to for some relief during ha — what most people get wrong about this — what certified coaches recommend? 📖 Metabolic Efficiency — The state where your body processes fuel cleanly and maintains high energy levels without the need for constant snacking… ▸ How does chasing skinny ever get old for long-term results while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ What’s your favorite toothpaste for people with insulin resistance — what the research actually says? ▸ Were any of you guys fans of Journey? How big were they when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ 42yom Im finding it much harder to lose weight, what are some things I can do now to start losing weight? ▸ Has anyone felt better taking antidepressants instead of hrt — evidence-based answer for CFP patients — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ If a random dance partner app existed .. would you try it: how to talk to your doctor about this: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Traveling with IBS-D to a 5-day conference in San Diego: how do you manage food — what most people get wrong about this on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 CICO (Calories In, Calories Out) — An outdated model of weight loss that ignores the role of hormones; we challenge this by focusing on food quality and ho… ▸ Is the idea of the kitchen timer to eventually get to the point where someone has an orgasm just from hearing the ding? Pavlov's orgasm for people with insulin resistance for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Should I be worried yet, been sitting for 5 days no movement while doing intermittent fasting if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ What are the wegovy doses in order on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Tips for maintenance: what’s yours for long-term maintenance (not just short-term): best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Compression socks. Worth it? Any recs — how a functional medicine approach differs for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ These electrolyte tabs, how often — evidence-based answer for CFP patients — what certified coaches recommend? 📖 Inflammatory Markers — Clinical indicators like CRP that we monitor to ensure the body is moving from a state of disease to a state of vibrant … ▸ Has anybody heard of or experienced improvement from neurological disorders through fasting and autophagy if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Is it normal to lose 6 kg in one week during the weight loss plateau phase for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ These electrolyte tabs, how often — evidence-based answer for CFP patients while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Low TSH, Low T4, and Low T3 simultaneously on Levothyroxine — anyone experienced this and the role of cortisol and stress hormones on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 Gut Microbiome Repair — The restoration of healthy intestinal bacteria through the removal of lectins and grains, essential for long-term weight… ▸ To what extent do Mendelian Randomization Studies provide causal evidence for a particular claim — what does the research actually say specifically for women over 40? ▸ Is it just me or is Hashimoto’s greatly underrepresented on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what the research actually says? ▸ Is lime water (but sipped throughout the day) ok with autophagy — how a functional medicine approach differs for people with insulin resistance? ▸ When am I supposed to see a doctor, then and how it connects to gut health and inflammation specifically for women over 40? ▸ Did L. reuteri ATCC 6475 or Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC-30) Eliminate My Seasonal Allergies — what most people get wrong about this — what certified coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ How to handle calories vs carbs/fat/sugar and how it connects to gut health and inflammation on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ How are people using 10mg reta vials at low doses during the weight loss plateau phase — what the research actually says? 📖 Phase 1: Priming — The first 48 hours of a 70-day cycle focused on high-fat intake to prevent the brain from triggering a starvation respon… ▸ When period stopped did you feel like the worst pmdd of all time daily or — what does the research actually say: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Anyone remember the metal lid you had to use a butter knife to pop off: what to track and how to measure progress: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ What exactly am I supposed to feel when on mounjaro and how do I know if it's working specifically for women over 40 while doing intermittent fasting?