Happy Holidays, 863 Crew!

Fueling Your Performance: The Carnivore Diet & CrossFit Connection At CrossFit 863, we’re always looking for ways to optimize performance, recovery, and overall health. One approach that’s been making waves in the fitness community is the carnivore diet. This dietary approach focuses on consuming animal-based foods—meat, fish, eggs, and dairy—while eliminating plants, grains, and processed foods. While it may sound extreme at first, many athletes are turning to the carnivore diet for its potential benefits, including increased energy, better recovery, and improved body composition. This week, we’re diving into the connection between the carnivore diet and CrossFit and how you can begin implementing it in small, manageable ways. Why Athletes Are Embracing the Carnivore Diet The carnivore diet is rooted in simplicity: nutrient-dense, animal-based foods that fuel your body without the potential irritants or anti-nutrients found in some plant-based foods. For CrossFit athletes, the benefits can be especially compelling: 1. Improved Recovery • Animal proteins are packed with bioavailable amino acids, which help repair muscle tissue after intense workouts. • Nutrients like collagen from bone broth or organ meats can improve joint health and reduce inflammation. 2. Increased Energy and Focus • The carnivore diet often promotes fat-adaptation, teaching your body to use fat as its primary fuel source. This leads to more stable energy levels throughout the day, without sugar crashes. • Many athletes report improved mental clarity, essential for nailing complex WODs or heavy lifts. 3. Reduced Inflammation • By eliminating processed foods and potential irritants like gluten, lectins, and seed oils, the carnivore diet can significantly reduce inflammation, enhancing performance and recovery. 4. Improved Body Composition • High-protein, low-carb diets like carnivore can promote fat loss while preserving muscle, giving you that lean, athletic look CrossFitters strive for. How to Get Started with the Carnivore Diet Transitioning to a carnivore diet doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Here are some practical steps to ease into it: 1. Start with One Animal-Based Meal Per Day • Replace one meal (like breakfast or lunch) with an animal-based option: • Breakfast: Eggs cooked in butter with a side of bacon. • Lunch: A juicy steak or a grilled chicken breast. 2. Focus on Quality Protein Sources • Opt for grass-fed, pasture-raised meats when possible. These are more nutrient-dense and free from antibiotics or hormones. • Incorporate fatty cuts like ribeye for energy or leaner cuts like sirloin for variety. 3. Add Healthy Animal Fats • Incorporate tallow, butter, or ghee for cooking. • Snack on meat sticks or enjoy fatty fish like salmon. 4. Listen to Your Body • Some athletes thrive on a full carnivore diet, while others benefit from a hybrid approach, keeping small amounts of carbs like sweet potatoes on intense training days. A Sample Carnivore-Friendly CrossFit Meal Plan Pre-Workout • 2 hard-boiled eggs with a handful of beef jerky. Post-Workout • 8 oz grilled steak with a side of scrambled eggs . Dinner • Lean ground beef with mozzarella and bacon bits. Snacks • Slices of aged cheese, bacon slices, pepperonis, or 1stPhorm meat sticks. Is the Carnivore Diet Right for You? The carnivore diet isn’t for everyone, but it’s a compelling option for CrossFit athletes looking to enhance recovery, energy, and overall health. At CrossFit 863, we recommend experimenting and seeing how your body responds. Start small, track your performance, and adjust as needed. Have questions about nutrition and fitness? Stop by the box or drop us a message—we’re here to support you in achieving your goals. See you at the next WOD! Coach Caitlyn & Coach Ricky Let us know how your carnivore journey is going by tagging us on social media @CrossFit863. We’d love to celebrate your progress!