Electrolytes for carnivore
Electrolytes For Carnivore
Zero-carb eating drops insulin further than keto, and many carnivore eaters season meat minimally — so sodium (3,000–5,000 mg), potassium and magnesium all need deliberate attention. LMNT's unflavoured stick is $64.95 for a 30-stick box, free shipping over $149.
What actually happens on carnivoreThe same insulin-driven sodium mechanism behind "keto flu" applies here too — permanently, since carbohydrate intake stays at zero for as long as the diet runs.
01 — Carbohydrate intake goes to zero
With plants removed entirely, insulin settles at its lowest sustainable baseline — even lower, on average, than a standard keto diet.
02 — Sodium excretion stays elevated, indefinitely
The same kidney mechanism behind keto's sodium flush applies here on an ongoing basis, for as long as the diet stays zero-carb.
03 — Meat alone under-delivers two minerals
Muscle meat is a solid source of potassium but a naturally poor source of magnesium, and many carnivore eaters season with little or no added salt.
04 — The usual backup sources aren't on the plate
Fruit, vegetables and grains — everyone else's fallback for potassium and magnesium — are off the table by design, so what isn't eaten as organ meat needs to come from somewhere else.
Daily mineral targets on carnivoreSodium follows the same carbohydrate-restriction guidance as keto; potassium and magnesium are shown against the NHMRC's general adequate intake. General information for healthy adults, not medical advice.
Sodium
3,000–5,000 mg
Many carnivore eaters season meat minimally or not at all — worth deliberately adding salt back rather than assuming meat supplies enough.
Potassium
2,800–3,800 mg
NHMRC's general adequate intake range. One published analysis of meat-only intake found an average of 2,007–3,000 mg, depending on the cuts eaten — often short of this range.
Magnesium
300–400 mg
Meat is a comparatively poor magnesium source, and the plant foods that normally supply it aren't part of a carnivore plate — the mineral most worth watching here.
What a signal usually reflectsNot a diagnosis — a guide to which mineral is most likely running low on a meat-only plate, and why.
| Signal | Likely mineral | Why it happens |
|---|---|---|
| Cramping, especially calves at night | Magnesium | Meat is a naturally poor source of magnesium, and carnivore removes every plant food that typically supplies it. |
| Headache in the first few days | Sodium | The same insulin-driven sodium excretion as keto, often more pronounced when meals are cooked with little or no added salt. |
| Noticeable or irregular heartbeat | Potassium | Meat-only intake can land below the general adequate intake range depending on which cuts and organ meats are eaten. |
| Low energy despite eating enough | Sodium | Tracks with lower blood volume from sustained sodium loss, independent of how much protein or fat is on the plate. |
General physiological information, not a diagnosis. If a signal is severe, persistent, or you take blood pressure, heart or kidney medication, speak with a GP before increasing sodium intake.
Settling into zero-carbA typical adaptation curve — indicative only, not a measured value, and it varies person to person.
0–72 h
Sodium excretion climbs
Insulin drops fast on a zero-carb plate — this is when unsalted meat starts to show as headaches or flat energy.
Week 1
Peak adjustment
Sodium loss is highest, and without leafy greens or fruit, potassium and magnesium intake has also dropped hardest.
Weeks 2–4
New, permanent normal
Sodium handling resets around zero-carb — unlike a first-week adjustment, the higher requirement doesn't taper off.
Sodium per serve, comparedLabel values per serve as supplied by each brand. A carnivore target of 3,000–5,000 mg sodium is hard to reach from unseasoned meat alone.
LMNT (1 stick)
1,000 mg
Re-Lyte (1 scoop)
810 mg
Concentrated mineral drops (1 dose)
380 mg
Sports drink (600 mL)
250 mg
Coconut water (250 mL)
60 mg
Zero carb
0g carbohydrate, every product picked
No plant-derived fillers
Nothing sourced from grains, fruit or starch
Full mineral trio
Sodium, potassium and magnesium together
Easier than seasoning every meal
A measured dose instead of guessing at the salt shaker
Suggested for carnivorePicked for zero carbohydrate, nothing plant-derived, and a direct answer to the mineral meat alone tends to leave short.
LMNT Raw Unflavoured Electrolyte Mix - 30 Sticks
LMNT
$64.95
1,000 mg sodium, unflavoured — nothing to clash with a meat-only plate.
Electrolyte Capsules - 240 Serves
Keto Chow
$79.95
Salt without a drink at all — swallow with water alongside a meal.
Magnesium Bisglycinate - 60 Capsules
BioTrace
$44.95
Directly addresses the mineral meat alone is least likely to supply.
CMD Concentrated Mineral Drops - 240ml
BioTrace
$49.95
A concentrated, low-ingredient drop format that adds to water without introducing anything plant-derived.
Also stocked for carnivore
Re-Lyte Hydration - Unflavoured - Tub - 75 Serves
Redmond
$74.95
Mineral Balance - Essential Electrolytes - 450g
Ancient Lakes
$24.95
Clean Slate (Unflavoured) Electrolyte Powder - 30 Sticks
SALTT
$66.95
Unflavoured - 30 Sachets
Sodii
$64.90
ReLyte Hydration - Unflavoured - Stick Packs x 30
Redmond
$59.95
Ocean Sourced Electrolyte Drops - 240ml
Aussie Trace Minerals
$40.95
Unflavoured - 30 Serve Tub
Sodii
$59.90
Fasting Drops - 250ml
Keto Chow
$42.95
Keto Blend - 425g
Ancient Lakes
$24.95
WPI - Unflavoured - 1kg
Protein Supplies Australia
$109.95
Natural Liquid Magnesium - 200ml
Ancient Lakes
$49.95
Magnesium Enriched Natural Lake Salt. - 425g
Ancient Lakes
$18.95
WPI - Unflavoured - 500g
Protein Supplies Australia
$59.95
Grass-fed Collagen Protein Powder - Unflavoured - 450g
Chief
$49.95
Elemental Magnesium - 60mL
BioTrace
$29.95
Elite Ion-Power Electrolytes
BioTrace
$49.95
CMD Concentrated Mineral Drops - 120ml
BioTrace
$34.95
Magnesium Drops - 250ml
Keto Chow
$42.95
Ocean Sourced Electrolyte Drops - 60ml
Aussie Trace Minerals
$21.95
Collagen Protein - Unflavoured - 450g
Nutra Organics
$65.95
Leucine - 100% Pure L-Leucine Unflavoured - 200g
Switch Nutrition
$35.96
Natural Liquid Magnesium - 95ml
Ancient Lakes
$34.95
Magnesium Topical Spray - 125ml
Ancient Lakes
$29.95
Grass-fed Whey Protein Powder - Unflavoured - 900g
Chief
$89.95
Collagen Protein - Unflavoured - 225g
Nutra Organics
$43.95
Magnesium Capsules - 240 caps
Keto Chow
$79.95
Beta Alanine- 100% Pure Beta Alanine Unflavoured - 400g
Switch Nutrition
$44.96
Tyrosine - 100% Pure L-Tyrosine Unflavoured - 200g
Switch Nutrition
$44.96
H2 Hydrogen Water - Unflavoured - 30 Tablets
Healr
$59.95
Protein Powder Warrior Blend Unflavoured 375g
SUNWARRIOR
$49.95
Active Creatine Monohydrate Unflavoured 300g
SUNWARRIOR
$49.95
Collagen Peptides - Unflavoured - 938g
Switch Nutrition
$80.96
Fasting Drops - 24ml - Best Before 28 Feb 2026
LYTES
$14.95
Grass-fed Whey Protein Powder - Unflavoured - 30g
Chief
$5.95
Marine Collagen Peptides Unflavoured - 300g
Protein Supplies Australia
$69.95
Australian Grass Fed Collagen Peptides - Unflavoured - 300g
Goodie
$58.95
Not sure yet?
Three quick questions,
one recommendation
Answer three questions about how you eat carnivore and we'll point you at a pick to start with. Prefer the full version? Take the complete quiz.
Do you add salt when you cook?
How long have you been strict carnivore?
Drink or capsule?
Based on your answers, start with
LMNT Raw Unflavoured
the highest sodium dose, unflavoured, nothing plant-derived
Meat gives you the protein. It doesn't give you the salt.
Shop carnivore electrolytesFree shipping over $149
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Carnivore and electrolytes, answeredAnswers to what carnivore shoppers ask us most. These same answers power the FAQ schema on this page.
Meat alone doesn't automatically cover electrolyte needs. Zero-carbohydrate eating lowers insulin the same way keto does, increasing sodium losses through urine, and many carnivore eaters season minimally, so sodium intake can be lower than it looks.
A reasonable target is 3,000–5,000 mg of sodium a day, the same range used for a well-formulated ketogenic diet, since the underlying insulin mechanism is the same on a zero-carb plate.
For most carnivore eaters, yes. Meat is a comparatively poor source of magnesium compared with the leafy greens, nuts and grains a carnivore diet excludes, so it's worth topping up directly rather than assuming meat alone covers it.
Meat does contain potassium, but one published analysis of meat-only intake found an average of 2,007–3,000 mg a day, below the NHMRC's general adequate intake range of 2,800–3,800 mg — so it's worth checking rather than assuming.
Unflavoured drops and capsules with no plant-derived ingredients or added carbohydrate don't affect zero-carb eating. If strict carnivore purity matters to you, check the ingredient list for anything plant-sourced.
Both follow the same zero-to-very-low-carbohydrate logic, but Carnivore is curated around unflavoured, minimal-ingredient and plant-free products specifically, while Keto includes a wider range of flavoured, carb-conscious options.
Not sure which brand suits you?
Take our quiz and we will match you to a brand and format based on how you ride, or start with a taster pack and try a few before committing to a full size.