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By Josh Christensen

Keto-friendly Fast food

Dining out may be a rare treat for some and a regular habit for others. In either case, if you decide to try the ketogenic diet, you'll probably limit your trips to your favorite fast-food restaurant's drive-through. However, this does not mean you cannot indulge once in a while. Changing your dietary habits drastically is usually the source of most failed diets. In a short period, your body does not have time to adjust to the change, leading you to revert to old habits as soon as possible.

Fast food is okay in the world of Keto, but you have to be selective about the food you order. As the ketogenic diet has gained popularity, many restaurants are now offering keto alternatives. Dieters on Keto diets can enjoy the lifestyle bowls served at Chipotle. This guide will help you navigate the world of fast-food restaurants.

 

What Not to Order

Whenever you go to your favorite fast-food restaurant, make sure to apply the principles of the keto diet. If your diet involves eating a limited amount of sugar and carbs per day, make sure you consider that when looking at the menu. It may seem complicated at first, but Genius Gourmet has a Keto Calculator that calculates your protein and calorie intake to determine your Marcos. 

 

Knowing your daily Marco goal, you can now decide which items you can eat from the menu. We recommend that you avoid sodas and artificially flavored beverages. You can easily exceed your daily sugar intake with just one cup, even though they taste great.

A key difference between Keto and other diets is the absence of carbs as a source of energy. We recommend you not order any bread, even the irresistible pieces of bread at the cheesecake factory. You can substitute the bread for a lettuce wrap if you're eyeing a sandwich or burger.

Be mindful of breaded foods such as mozzarella sticks, wings, blooming onions, and more. Lastly, watch out for sugar-filled sauces such as honey mustard, BBQ, and sweet chili.

Keto-Friendly Options at Your Favorite Fast-Food Places

McDonald’s

It's inevitable that you've come across McDonald's at some point. It doesn't matter if it's their golden French fries or Big Mac, McDonald's is a go-to favorite. Here are a few food options you can try if you decide to indulge on your keto diet.

Breakfast
Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit (no biscuit)
Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
McCafe Coffee
Smoothies
 
Lunch
Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Apple Slices
Quarter Pounder with no Bun
 

The carbs in a Quarter Pounder with cheese are reduced by 35g by removing the bun. If  you're craving McDonald's, just stay away from the amazing fries and choose the bun-less option. You can cook your own French fries with an air fryer.

Chipotle 

Chipotle has incorporated Keto into its menu, as stated at the beginning of the article. At chipotle, you can now purchase a lifestyle bowl that contains only keto-friendly  ingredients. Consider these alternatives if lifestyle bowls aren't your thing.

Rice-free salad
Cauliflower rice in a burrito bowl
Guacamole

Avoid sour cream, vinaigrette, roasted chili corn salsa, rice, and beans. Although  chipotle is considered to be a healthy fast food option, the ingredients listed above  can derail your diet.

Chick Fil A

Chick-fil-A is well-known for its great customer service, but they also serve some good food. With a few substitutions, you can still enjoy some of your favorites. You should stay away from fatty sauces and carb-filled options like most fast-food options on this list. 

Here is a list of option you can try the next time you visit a chipotle.

 Breakfast
            Hash brown scramble any protein (no hash brown)
            Egg white grill (no English muffin)
            Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (no biscuit)
  Lunch/Dinner
    Grilled Nuggets
    Grilled Chicken Sandwich (no bun)
    Lemon Kale Salad
    Market Salad

Taco Bell

If Taco Bell is one of your go-to spots, you can still find something to eat on the menu even if you're on a keto diet. Some of your favorite items may require some customizing, but you can still enjoy them.


Power Bowl without Rice
Breakfast Burrito without Tortilla
Chips and Guacamole

No matter where you decide to indulge, that fast food restaurant will have something to suit your diet. You shouldn't eat fast food on a regular basis, but if you want to indulge in a cheat meal on a keto diet, go for  it. You can find a comprehensive list of keto-friendly fast-food options in our Keto fast-food guide.

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