Finding keto-friendly fast food can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Carb-laden buns, sugary sauces, and fried temptations seem to lurk around every corner. But don’t despair, keto enthusiasts! Plenty of delicious low-carb options exist, allowing you to enjoy a quick and satisfying meal without derailing your diet. This guide explores 21 of the best Keto Diet Fast Food choices to help you stay on track.
Navigating the Keto Fast Food Landscape
The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, prioritizes high-fat, moderate-protein, and very-low-carbohydrate intake. This forces the body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of glucose. Sticking to a keto diet often requires careful meal planning, but fast food doesn’t have to be off-limits. By making smart choices and modifications, you can enjoy the convenience of fast food while maintaining ketosis.
21 Best Keto Fast Food Options for a Quick Low-Carb Meal
Here are 21 of the best keto fast food options, offering a variety of flavors and cuisines:
1. Five Guys Hot Dog (Bunless)
Skip the bun and load up on toppings like cheese and bacon for a protein-packed, keto-friendly meal.
2. KFC Grilled Chicken
A classic keto choice. Opt for green beans or a side salad instead of high-carb sides. Remember to confirm availability as grilled chicken isn’t offered at all locations.
3. Shake Shack ShackBurger (Lettuce Wrap)
Replace the bun with a lettuce wrap and enjoy all the flavor of a ShackBurger without the carbs.
4. In-N-Out Protein-Style Burger
This “secret menu” item swaps the bun for lettuce, making it a perfect keto-friendly burger. Be mindful of the sauce, which contains a small amount of sugar.
5. McDonald’s Cheeseburger (No Bun)
Hold the bun and enjoy a simple, low-carb cheeseburger. Add extra lettuce, pickles, and mustard for flavor and volume.
6. Chipotle Keto Salad Bowl
A customizable bowl with carnitas, salsa, cheese, and guacamole provides a flavorful and satisfying keto meal.
7. Wendy’s Double Stack Cheeseburger (No Bun)
Order this classic without the bun and add extra lettuce and tomato for a keto-approved indulgence.
via Wendy’s
8. Freshii’s Mediterranean Bowl (Hold the Quinoa)
This bowl is packed with keto-friendly ingredients like grilled chicken, feta, olives, and vegetables. Just request no quinoa.
9. McDonald’s Sausage McMuffin with Egg (No Muffin)
Enjoy the protein-packed goodness of sausage and egg without the carb-heavy muffin.
10. Panera Bread’s Greek Salad (No Croutons)
This classic salad is naturally keto-friendly with feta, olives, and Greek dressing. Hold the croutons to minimize carbs.
11. Moe’s Burrito Bowl
Create your own keto bowl with a base of lettuce or cauliflower rice, protein, and low-carb toppings like cheese, guacamole, and salsa.
via Moe’s
12. Popeyes Blackened Chicken Strips
These flavorful chicken strips are naturally low in carbs and require no modifications.
13. Subway’s No Bready Bowls
Customize your bowl with protein, vegetables, and low-carb sauces for a satisfying keto meal.
14. Taco Bell’s Cantina Chicken Bowl
This customizable bowl allows you to choose keto-friendly ingredients like chicken, guacamole, and salsa.
15. Jack in the Box’s Grilled Chicken Garden Salad (No Croutons)
A simple salad with grilled chicken and vegetables. Order without croutons to keep it keto-friendly.
via Jack in the Box
16. Jersey Mike’s Sub in a Tub
Enjoy your favorite sub fillings without the bread by ordering a “Sub in a Tub.”
17. Pret A Manger Egg and Spinach Pot
A convenient and low-carb breakfast option with eggs and spinach.
18. Starbucks’ Egg Bites
These protein-rich bites are made with eggs and cheese, making them a perfect keto snack or breakfast.
19. Wendy’s Lettuce Wrapped Baconator
Indulge in the Baconator without the guilt by opting for a lettuce wrap instead of a bun.
via Canva
20. Sonic’s Bunless SuperSonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Enjoy a double cheeseburger loaded with bacon without the carbs by removing the bun.
21. Jimmy John’s Jimmy Cubano Unwich
This lettuce-wrapped sandwich offers all the flavor of a Cuban sandwich without the bread.
Conclusion: Enjoying Fast Food on Keto
Sticking to a keto diet doesn’t mean sacrificing convenience or flavor. With a little knowledge and creativity, you can find plenty of delicious keto diet fast food options to satisfy your cravings and keep you on track with your health goals. Remember to always double-check ingredients and customize your orders to ensure they align with your dietary needs.
