How to Gain Healthy Weight on Carnivore (Without Feeling Stuffed or Sluggish)

Tips for strategic meals, ideal cuts of meat, and smart ways to increase calories

Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash

If you've ever tried to gain weight on carnivore, you probably ran into the same wall I did:

You feel full. Fast.

Too full to eat more, too tired to push through, and somehow—despite eating ribeye and eggs all day—you’re still not gaining.

This is one of the most frustrating paradoxes of carnivore. You’re doing it right. You’re eating clean. But the scale barely moves, or you’re constantly battling fatigue from force-feeding meals that leave you bloated and uncomfortable.

But here’s the truth: You don’t have to feel stuffed to gain healthy weight.

You just need a smarter strategy.

Let’s break down exactly how to increase your calories, nourish your body, and build healthy mass—without burning out your digestion or crushing your appetite.

First, What Kind of Weight Do You Want to Gain?

Gaining weight isn’t the goal.

Gaining strength, energy, muscle, and resilience—that’s the real win.

So this isn’t about bulking like a bodybuilder or forcing weight gain just to see the scale move. It’s about:

• Restoring lost mass from stress or under-eating

• Supporting your hormones, thyroid, and sleep

• Giving your body the nutrients and fuel to grow strong again

And the best part? You don’t need carbs to do it.

You just need to eat smart, not just more.

1. Choose the Right Cuts of Meat (Fat is Your Friend)

The biggest mistake people make is trying to gain weight eating lean cuts like sirloin or chicken breast.

Your body needs energy—and that comes from animal fat.