Hydration is super important to keep electrolytes balanced and streamline the transition to Carinovre. So, what can I drink on Carnivore Diet? Of course, water, but there are also other options you can try. The important point is to avoid drinks that contain sugar or plant-based ingredients. So, let’s get to know 15 sugar free drinks on Carnivore Diet and the beverages you should avoid to reach your health and fitness goals.
Since you should avoid fruits, vegetables, and processed carbohydrates on the Carnivore Diet, hydration becomes incredibly important.
Many people transitioning to Carnivore from low-carb or keto diets experience Keto or Carnivore Flu, which has symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.
These symptoms mainly happen because of electrolyte imbalances and not drinking enough fluids, especially water.
Because you’re not eating carbohydrate-rich foods that help maintain water, your body flushes out sodium and other minerals faster. So, you should stay hydrated and reload electrolytes.
However, you should source electrolytes from among the drinks allowed on the Carnivore Diet. Not all drinks marketed as sugar-free are suitable for a Carnivore Diet.
Some contain artificial sweeteners, plant extracts, or additives that can trigger harmful symptoms or negatively affect your Carnivore results. But why are these sugary drinks not allowed on Carnivore?
There are different reasons for avoiding sugar-free drinks in a Carnivore Diet. Although they contain almost no calories, the artificial sweeteners and additives they contain can interfere with your Carnivore results, such as reducing inflammation, stabilizing blood sugar and insulin, and regulating hormones.
The science behind avoiding sugary drinks on a Carnivore Diet says that drinking such beverages on a low-carb diet like Carnivore can [1] [2]:
Even without real sugar, non-nutritive sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and stevia may still stimulate an insulin response in some people [3].
This is called the cephalic phase insulin response. It means your brain detects sweetness and signals the pancreas to release insulin before glucose even enters the bloodstream [4].
A 2013 study in Diabetes Care found that sucralose increased insulin levels by 20% in insulin-sensitive individuals, despite no increase in blood sugar [5].
This effect harms one of the biggest advantages of the Carnivore Diet, i.e., keeping insulin levels low and stable, which helps with fat burning, appetite regulation, and reducing inflammation [6].
Sweet tastes, even without calories, activate the same reward pathways in the brain as sugar. That’s why many people use low-carbohydrate diets like Carnivore as a reset for food addiction, cravings, and emotional eating patterns.
Artificial sweetness can prevent this reset by keeping you psychologically dependent on sweet flavors, making it harder to stick to your diet and low-carb lifestyle [7] [8].
Some sugar-free sweeteners, especially sorbitol, xylitol, and sucralose, have been shown to change the gut microbiome, increasing certain strains of bacteria while reducing others [9] [10] [11].
Carnivore relies on reducing gut irritants and inflammatory triggers, especially for those with IBS, autoimmune conditions, or leaky gut.
Research published in 2014 found that there are relations between artificial sweeteners and glucose intolerance due to changes in gut bacteria [12].
Many sugar-free drinks contain [13]:
These ingredients can cause inflammation or digestive issues, which the Carnivore Diet aims to minimize. Especially in the early adaptation phase, these additives can delay healing or diet results [14] [15].
Learn More: Carnivore Diet Before and After Results + Photos
By stimulating insulin and interfering with hunger and satiety hormones, leptin and ghrelin, sugar-free drinks can negatively affect fat loss even if they are calorie-free [16].
When insulin is increased, even slightly, it inhibits lipolysis (the breakdown of stored fat), which slows down weight loss. By keeping insulin levels stable, Carnivore helps the body access stored fat more efficiently, which means better weight loss [17] [18].
So, to avoid all these problems, we need to find out what safe sugar free drinks on the Carnivore Diet are. But what does sugar-free truly mean?
We need to find real sugar free drinks on Carnivore Diet because sugar-free doesn’t always mean healthy or even truly free of sugar.
Many beverages labeled this way contain sugar substitutes like aspartame, sucralose, stevia, or sugar alcohols (e.g., erythritol).
Although these artificial sugars don’t raise blood glucose like table sugar, they can still cause insulin responses, sweet cravings, or digestive issues [19].
Some labels claim zero sugar but include plant-based ingredients, natural flavors, citric acid, or preservatives not allowed in a strict Carnivore Diet.
These components can cause bloating, brain fog, or even inflammation, especially if you're sensitive or dealing with autoimmune conditions [20].
So, when choosing sugar free drinks on Carnivore Diet, you should go beyond the marketing claims and read ingredient labels carefully.
Even if a drink has zero calories, it might still negatively affect your progress if it includes non-Carnivore ingredients.
So, let’s find the best sugar free drinks on Carnivore Diet. But please remember that if you are on a strict Carnivore Diet, you can only drink some beverages. So, what can you drink on Carnivore Diet?
If you’re following a strict Carnivore Diet (such as the Lion Diet or a nose-to-tail approach), you can choose limited beverages.
The goal is to consume only animal-sourced nutrients and avoid irritants or anti-nutrients from plants or chemicals. So, here are sugar-free drinks you can use on a standard or strict Carnivore.
Plain water is the number 1 best drink on any diet, especially Carnivore, no matter what version or stage you are at. You can drink filtered or mineral water, and even carbonated water, as long as it contains no flavorings or additives [21].
Natural sparkling water, like San Pellegrino or Gerolsteiner, can also help boost mineral intake.
Homemade bone broth made from beef, lamb, or chicken bones is highly nutritious and supports joint, skin, and gut health.
It’s rich in collagen, minerals, and amino acids. Avoid store-bought versions that include onion, garlic, or vegetables unless they are Carnivore-friendly.
Mineral-rich water with added sea salt or animal-based electrolytes (like magnesium or potassium from animal sources) helps maintain hydration. Just be sure it has no sweeteners or flavorings.
Learn More: Carnivore Electrolytes: Why They Matter & How to Source Them
One of the most nutritious sugar free drinks on Carnivore Diet is a warm cup of beef tallow or butter melted into hot water, sometimes called a fat broth. It’s satiating and great for energy and mental focus during fasting or early mornings.
Protein shakes aren’t essential on a Carnivore Diet because you're already getting plenty of protein from meat. But for athletes, busy people, or those who struggle with chewing or appetite, animal-based protein powders can be helpful.
Look for:
Avoid plant-based protein powders (whey is debated because it comes from dairy and can cause issues for some). Also, watch out for sweeteners, gums, and flavorings.
The best way to drink protein shakes in a Carnivore Diet is to mix protein powder with water or bone broth, not milk or nut milks.
But if you are on a relaxed Carnivore, you have more sugar drinks available to choose from.
If you are a newcomer to the low-carb lifestyle or if you are following a relaxed Carnivore, you can drink the following beverages.
Learn More: Alcohol on the Carnivore Diet: The Best and Worst Beverages
Brands like LaCroix or Spindrift offer unsweetened flavored waters. While the flavors are derived from plants, they are allowed for those on a relaxed Carnivore who want some variety. Just avoid those with added sweeteners or citric acid.
Zevia is a popular soda alternative that uses stevia, a plant-based sweetener. It’s free of calories and artificial chemicals.
Although it is not strictly Carnivore, many followers drink it from time to time without negative effects.
However, if you’re sensitive to sweet tastes, even zero-calorie ones, it might trigger cravings.
Black coffee with butter and some teas, like green or oolong, are common among most individuals following a relaxed Carnivore.
If you are okay with caffeine and don’t experience anxiety, acid reflux, or sleep disruption, you can drink unsweetened coffee and tea in moderation, especially with heavy cream, butter, or ghee added.
Infused water is controversial on a Carnivore Diet, but some relaxed Carnivore dieters use minimal infusions to improve hydration or ease cravings, especially during the early stages.
Common options include:
However, you must avoid
Some Carnivores who tolerate dairy can include raw, unpasteurized milk or cream. It provides fat, protein, and electrolytes. But please consider the calories in milk and cream if you are trying to lose weight.
Learn More: Not Losing Weight on Carnivore Diet: 30 Reasons & Solutions
Mixing raw egg yolks with raw cream or cold water can create a creamy, frothy, nutritious drink. It’s entirely animal-based and perfect for those looking for variety without sacrificing principles.
Other egg-based drinks are allowed on Carnivore, as long as they contain animal-based ingredients.
Some Carnivore gym-goers drink sugar-free energy drinks like Red Bull Zero, Monster Ultra, or Reign, but they usually contain:
If you’re doing relaxed Carnivore, having one occasionally may not harm your progress, especially if you’re using it to boost workouts or stay alert. But don’t overconsume such drinks because they can:
It is best to choose clean-label options like Zevia Energy (sweetened with stevia) or go for a black coffee + salt combo to boost your energy levels in a Carnivore-friendly way.
Electrolyte drinks are usually clean and sugar-free with sodium, potassium, and magnesium, but they can also contain sweeteners like stevia.
There are many brands producing electrolyte drinks. Let’s check out some of the healthy and popular brands.
However, avoid sports drinks like Gatorade Zero or Powerade Zero because they often contain sucralose or artificial dyes. There are also other drinks you should avoid on a Carnivore Diet, even if they are sold as sugar-free.
Many of the drinks marketed as Keto/Carnivore-friendly or sugar-free are full of ingredients high in carbohydrate content, added sugars, or components that can disrupt ketosis and dietary goals.
So, steer clear of:
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, aka Coke Zero, contains no sugar and no calories, which might make it seem Carnivore-friendly. Its main ingredients include carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, potassium benzoate, natural flavors, and caffeine.
From a strict Carnivore perspective, any drink containing artificial sweeteners or chemical additives (like aspartame or caramel color) is not allowed, as it’s not an animal-based or nutrient-dense product.
However, some relaxed or modified Carnivore dieters allow occasional sugar-free beverages like Coke Zero, especially during the transition phase when sugar cravings or social situations make it hard to avoid such drinks altogether.
It depends on your goals: If you're doing Carnivore for weight loss, an occasional Zero Coke may not stall progress.
However, if you're using Carnivore to heal autoimmune, gut, or mental health issues, you might want to avoid it.
If you’re a social drinker or easing off soda, Zero Coke can be a useful transition tool, but not a daily habit.
View Zero Coke as a once-in-a-while treat, not a staple, and if it triggers cravings or bloating, ditch it.
To make sure all ingredients are Carnivore-friendly, you can also make your own sugar-free drinks with the following easy recipes.
Try the following recipes to make fresh and nutritious sugar free drinks on Carnivore Diet.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Even if something seems safe, your body will know if there is something wrong. If you experience the following signs, your drink may be harming you:
If any of these occur, stop drinking all sugar-free beverages except water and broth for a week and monitor how you feel.
While plain water and bone broth are the best drinks, you can use some other drinks if you follow a more relaxed Carnivore.
Whatever beverage you want to drink, make sure it has no sweeteners, plant extracts, and artificial additives, especially in products labeled sugar-free.
You can drink various sugar free drinks on Carnivore Diet, but remember that nothing replaces water for hydration and electrolyte balance.
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about sugar free drinks on Carnivore Diet.
Technically no. It contains artificial sweeteners and chemicals that don’t support Carnivore rules. It’s better to avoid it.
It’s not animal-based, but many include it in a relaxed Carnivore approach. You can also add butter to black coffee and make a nutritious drink.
A homemade mix with sea salt, potassium chloride, and magnesium drops is good. You can also buy LMNT or Redmond Re-Lyte brands.
