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 during the weight loss plateau phase

Understanding the Carnivore Approach for Sustainable Fat Loss

As the founder of CFP Weight Loss and author of The Metabolic Reset Protocol, I've guided thousands through carnivore phases to overcome stubborn plateaus. For a 6'2", 315-pound man dealing with hormonal changes, joint pain, and prior diet failures, this isn't about extremes but strategic animal-based eating that stabilizes blood sugar and reduces inflammation. Yes, many include butter, tallow, or ghee for satiety and fat-soluble vitamins, but it's not mandatory if you're getting enough from fatty cuts.

Is 1lb Ground Beef Plus One Ribeye Enough Daily?

At your size and during a weight loss plateau, this intake provides roughly 1,800-2,200 calories and 150-180g of protein, which may create a moderate deficit but often falls short for muscle preservation. Aim for 1.6-2.0g of protein per pound of ideal body weight—targeting around 220-250g daily. Add a third fatty cut like 80/20 ground beef or lamb to reach 2.5-3lbs total meat. Track ketones via urine strips initially; if energy crashes, incorporate 1-2 tbsp butter or beef tallow for 100-200 extra calories without carbs. This supports diabetes and blood pressure management by eliminating processed foods that spike insulin.

Breaking Plateaus with Carnivore Adjustments

Plateaus often stem from metabolic adaptation after repeated dieting. In my methodology, cycle in a 3-5 day higher-fat refeed using ribeye and butter every 10-14 days to signal your body it's safe to release fat. Focus on meal timing: two meals within an 8-hour window to improve insulin sensitivity. For joint pain making exercise impossible, start with 10-minute daily walks post-meal instead of gym sessions. Hydrate with 1 gallon of water plus electrolytes (sodium 5g, potassium 3g from broth or supplements) to combat the initial water loss that masks scale progress.

Practical Tips for Beginners Managing Multiple Conditions

Begin simply—no complex plans. Breakfast: skip or have bone broth. Lunch: 1lb 80/20 ground beef cooked in tallow. Dinner: 16oz ribeye. Season with salt only. This fits middle-income budgets at about $12-18 daily. Monitor blood pressure and glucose weekly; most see improvements in 2-4 weeks. If overwhelmed by advice, stick to ruminant meats first. Consistency trumps perfection—many break through plateaus by adding variety like eggs or bacon after week four. Results vary, but clients averaging 1-2lbs weekly loss while preserving energy report better mobility and confidence.

💬 What the Community Says

In online forums, beginners at 300+ pounds often debate butter's role on carnivore, with many reporting it helps curb hunger during early adaptation but others prefer strict meat-only to accelerate fat loss. A common experience is initial 10-15lb drops in the first month followed by frustrating plateaus, leading to questions about increasing fatty cuts like ribeye versus adding butter or tallow. Those managing diabetes and joint pain share stories of reduced inflammation after 4-6 weeks but warn against under-eating protein, with several noting energy crashes on just two meals totaling under 2lbs of meat daily. The community is split on portion sizes for taller men, some advocating 3lbs+ while others emphasize listening to hunger cues. Cost and simplicity are frequent positives, though a vocal minority mentions boredom or digestive adjustments. Overall, lived experiences highlight gradual experimentation over rigid rules, with many crediting community support for persisting through hormonal weight loss challenges.
Cite this answer
Clark, R. (2026). When you guys are doing carnivore are you really eating butter and stuff?? Like . *CFP Weight Loss*. https://blog.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-during-the-weight-
Russell Clark, 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.

📖 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get the Book →
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