Can You Enjoy Heavy Cream on a Carnivore Diet? Everything You Need to Know

The carnivore diet is increasingly embraced for its health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, increased muscle strength, effective weight control, and more.

The carnivore diet accepts all animal meat, fish, and eggs, and excludes plant foods. If you’re on a carnivore diet, you may have faced the dilemma of certain foods falling into a grey area.

For example, can you enjoy heavy cream on carnivore diet? Is this creamy, creamy ingredient a meat-eater’s favorite or should it be avoided altogether?

The inclusion of heavy cream in recipes and drinks adds complexity to the debate, making it a hot topic in the carnivore community. This article explores the compatibility of heavy cream with a carnivore diet, from nutritional information to practical tips.

Heavy Cream on Carnivore Diet: Understanding the Basics

What is Traditional Heavy Cream?

Heavy cream, also known as whipping cream, is a dairy product made by skimming the high-fat layers of milk. It typically contains 36 to 40 percent fat. It has a rich, creamy flavor and a smooth texture that enhances both flavor and mouthfeel.

Heavy cream is used as a whipped cream for desserts, to thicken sauces and soups, or to add richness to a variety of dishes. It is also known for its resistance to clumping when boiled. This makes heavy cream a staple in American kitchens.

Nutritional Value and Benefits

Heavy cream is widely used in cooking, including making cream or butter, enhancing the flavor of coffee and soups, and adding fat to baked goods.

Not only is it beneficial in cooking, but some studies also show that heavy cream helps high blood pressure. In addition, it contains important nutrients such as vitamins (A, D, E, K), calcium, and phosphorus.

The main ingredients of this food include:

Water (58%)

Protein (2.9%)

Carbohydrates (2.9%)

Fat (36%–40%)

Can You Use Heavy Cream on a Carnivore Diet?

What is The Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet has become popular in recent years. Adherents believe it increases muscle strength, aids weight loss, fights obesity, and effectively combats inflammation.

The diet includes only meat, organ meats, eggs, and fish. Some also include dairy products (with caution). It excludes all plant foods, including fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables.

This carnivore diet, also known as the zero-carb diet, emphasizes animal protein and excludes carbohydrates.

Is Heavy Cream Carnivore - Friendly?

This question is controversial. While heavy cream is derived from animal milk, it often contains additives such as carrageenan or stabilizers, which are not strictly approved for strict carnivore diets. On other diets, it is accepted as a good source of fat.

Heavy cream consumption is not included in the strict carnivore diet. The strict carnivore diet, often called the "lion diet," includes ruminant meat, salt, water, and ruminant fat for cooking.

Other animal products may be accepted depending on individual health conditions. Heavy cream is considered an optional condiment in the classic or liberal carnivore diet.

Heavy cream consumption on a carnivore diet is a controversial issue. Some people report using it as a substitute for vegetable fat in their dishes. Heavy cream also does not appear to cause weight gain despite consumption of up to 600 ml per week.

However, others have noted the potential for dairy-induced inflammation, especially from casein, manifesting as joint pain. Therefore, heavy cream consumption depends on the individual's body's response and the specific type of carnivore diet followed.

Learn More: Carnivore Sauces' Complete Guide: What to Eat? What to Avoid?

Common Heavy Cream Brands on Carnivore Diet and Their Nutritional Profiles

#1. Horizon Organic Heavy Whipping Cream

Horizon Organic Cream is an organic product. The cream is made from the milk of free-range cows. These cows graze on grass for at least 120 days a year on a completely organic diet. The grass is free of pesticides, growth hormones, GMOs, and antibiotics.

The cream is lauded for its ability to whip into a fluffy and tall texture, making it ideal for cakes, pies, berries, soups, and baked goods.

Ingredient: Organic Grade A Cream, Gellan Gum, Contains milk.

Nutritional profiles per 1 Tbsp (15ml):

Calories: 50

Protein: 1g

Carb: <1g

Fat: 5g

#2. Land O'Lakes Heavy Whipping Cream

Land O'Lakes Heavy Whipping Cream is a super-degradable cream made from real cream and skim milk. It is suitable for desserts, toppings, and sauces.

Land O'Lakes Heavy Whipping Cream is a sustainable product produced by a farmer-owned cooperative; it is environmentally friendly and safe for health.

Ingredients: Heavy cream, Skim milk, contains 1 or less of: mono and diglycerides; polysorbate 80, carrageenan.

Nutritional profiles serving size 1 Tbsp (15ml):

Calories: 50

Protein: 0g

Carb: < 1g

Fat: 5g

Learn more: The Ultimate Guide to Carnivore Béarnaise Sauce: A Perfect Complement

#3. Darigold Organic Heavy Whipping Cream

Darigold's 40% Heavy Cream (Half Gallon) is a rich, creamy product made from locally sourced milk from Northwest farmers. It's ideal for whipping into toppings for desserts.

The cream is ultra-pasteurized for a longer shelf life and comes from cows not treated with artificial growth hormone rBST.

Ingredients: Heavy Cream (milk), Carrageenan, Gluten Free.

Nutritional profiles serving size 1 Tbsp (15ml):

Calories: 60

Protein: 0 g

Carb: < 1g

Fat: 6 g

#4. Hood Heavy Cream

Hood Heavy Cream is a high-quality cream made from Hood Milk, a trusted ingredient in New England homes and restaurants.

Its versatility makes it suitable for various culinary applications, from enriching pasta sauces and soups to creating creamy scrambled eggs and decadent desserts.

Ingredient: Cream, Carrageenan, Mono & Diglycerides, Polysorbate 80.

Nutritional profiles serving size 1 Tbsp (15ml):

Calories: 50

Protein: 0

Carb < 1g

Fat: 5g

Learn more: Is Sour Cream on Carnivore Diet Approved?

Practical Tips about Heavy Cream on a Carnivore Diet

How to Select the Best Heavy Cream for a Carnivore Diet?

Heavy cream is considered a source of fat in meat-based diets. It enhances the flavor and texture of dishes, making them more appealing.

In addition, heavy cream adds variety to dishes and helps maintain a balance of fat without excessive protein consumption.

When choosing heavy cream for a dish, the amount is essential. Additionally, consider these tips:

Check the ingredients: Choose brands with few or no additives.

Choose organic products: Organic creams are less likely to contain synthetic ingredients. Creams from grass-fed cows are higher in omega-3 and CLA content.

Prioritize full-fat options: Choose cream with a fat content of 36%–40%. Avoid creams with lower fat content or added ingredients.

Beware of sweetened versions: Use only unsweetened heavy cream.

Choose local brands: They are fresher and of higher quality than products from distant locations. Furthermore, supporting local products contributes to social sustainability.

Avoid Ultra-Processed Creams: Minimal processing is ideal.

Recipes Featuring Heavy Cream on a Carnivore Diet

The strict carnivore diet typically restricts dairy and spices, focusing on meat, animal fats, organs and occasionally milk. However, the optional carnivore diet allows the use of heavy cream as a main ingredient to add richness and texture to various dishes.

Here are some suggested recipes for your carnivore diet:

Beef Stroganoff (Carnivore Style): A version of Beef Stroganoff that uses heavy cream as the base for the sauce. The recipe requires these ingredients: 1 lb thinly sliced beef (e.g., ribeye or sirloin), 1 cup heavy cream, 4 tbsp butter, salt to taste.

To make it, sear the beef in butter until browned. Remove and set aside. Add the heavy cream to the skillet and simmer until slightly thickened. Return the beef to the pan and coat it with the sauce.

Coffee Creamer: A simple cream made by mixing or whipping heavy cream and butter. To make it, you need to heat heavy cream and butter until melted together. Blend or froth for a smooth texture. Use as a creamer in black coffee.

Carnivore Egg Soup: A soup made from chicken stock, eggs, and heavy cream. To make it, you need to heat chicken broth to a simmer. Slowly drizzle in beaten eggs while stirring. Stir in heavy cream and serve warm.

Carnivore Custard: An egg custard is made by thickening a mixture of egg yolks and heavy cream. The ingredients are: 4 egg yolks, 1 cup heavy cream, 1–2 tablespoons sweetener (optional for carnivore diets).

To make it, whisk the egg yolks and heavy cream together. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. You can chill it before serving.

Carnivore Alfredo Sauce: This sauce is made with heavy cream, butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. To make it, you need to heat the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Then stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

Remember, when using heavy cream in carnivore recipes, prioritize high-fat and high-protein content while minimizing carbohydrates.

Learn more: The Ultimate Guide to Carnivore Alfredo Sauce: Deliciously Simple, Fully Carnivore

Final Thought

While there is some controversy in the meat-eating community about heavy cream, it can be a satisfying addition that adds flavor to dishes when chosen carefully.

When choosing heavy cream, aim for a fat content of 36–40%, low in carbohydrates. It’s also important to consider other ingredients carefully. Focus on organic, avoiding additives and gluten.

By choosing high-quality brands and incorporating it thoughtfully, heavy cream can enhance your meat-centric culinary experience. Enjoy it responsibly and enjoy its richness as part of your meat-centric lifestyle!

Learn more: Beef Organ Supplements—Grass-Fed from New Zealand