Seems as if everyone is doing “keto” these days. A ketogenic diet is one that is low in carbohydrates and high in fat. The idea is to starve the body of carbohydrates so it wants to break fat down, instead of burning glucose for energy. This metabolic state is known as ketosis. The benefits of this diet – which is restrictive – include weight loss, increased physical performance, clearer thinking and an overall improvement in health (though there are some serious potential side effects – talk to a doctor before attempting a keto diet).
Sounds incredible. But is it easy? Because, you know, we’re lazy.
Experts say sticking to whole, fresh food and meal prep are key to the keto diet, which is, you know, doable – if you never leave your house. But many of us do, in fact, leave home on a daily basis, so, inevitably, we will get caught seeking out keto friendly options for our meals. Will running into a fast food joint, like McDonald’s or Wendy’s, destroy our diet and undo all our hard work?
Not necessarily. With a few hacks, you can safely walk the non-keto streets without any anxiety you will wreck your diet. Ask your doctor if a keto diet is safe for you (for real, there are safety issues), then scroll through these tips on how to eat keto at your favorite fast food restaurant.
1. McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger (no bun)
Calories: 270, grams of fat: 20, grams of carbs: 4, grams of protein: 20
Photo Credit: Imgur
2. Chipotle Steak Burrito Bowl with lettuce, salsa, sour cream and cheese (no rice or beans)
Calories: 400, grams of fat: 23, grams of carbs: 6 and grams of protein: 29
Photo Credit: User: proshob CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL from Wikimedia Commons
3. Panera Bread Power Breakfast Bowl with steak, two eggs, avocado and tomato
Calories: 230, grams of fat: 15, grams of carbs: 5 and grams of protein: 20
Photo Credit: GoodFreePhotos.com
4. Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich with extra mayo and no bun
Calories: 286, grams of fat: 16, grams of carbs: 5 and grams of protein: 29
Photo Credit: MaxPixel
5. Arby’s Roast Turkey Farmhouse Salad with buttermilk ranch dressing
Calories: 440, grams of fat: 35, grams of carbs: 10 and grams of protein: 22
Photo Credit: Arby’s
6. Five Guys Bacon Cheeseburger in a lettuce wrap and with mayo
CaloriesL 394, grams of fat: 34, grams of carbs: <1, and grams of protein: 20
Photo Credit: Yelp
7. Jimmy John’s Unwiches
Sandwich fillings without the bread. Totally keto.
Photo Credit: Reddit
8. Beverages
What’s allowed? Coffee with cream, black iced coffee, unsweetened iced tea, hot tea with lemon, and (preferably) water.
Photo Credit: Pxhere
With only a few, if any modifications, a fast, hot meal will fit into a keto lifestyle. Life can be tasty!
