Keto Fast Food: Yes, You Can Still Enjoy Eating Out!

A few things generally come to mind when you hear the word “diet.” You immediately think of salads, green tea and smoothies. What’s more, the word seems synonymous with “no sugar or carbs.” That typically means eating healthy food and not soda and fast food. Well, you may be glad to hear that keto fast food is a thing!

With keto-friendly fast food, you can satisfy your cravings without straying from your keto diet. It’s particularly ideal if you like the lazy keto diet.

We’ve compiled a list of keto-friendly fast food. We’ve also provided a list of food joints or restaurants where you can get keto fast food. We’ve got you covered, from popular fast-food chains to sit-down fast-casual establishments.

Keto Fast Food Options: There’s More Than You Think!

Scouring the menu at fast food places for keto options can feel impossible. Burgers, pizzas, fries, shakes – how can you choose anything keto-friendly?

Here is a list of keto fast food options you can order in many fast food joints.

What Fast Food is Keto Friendly? Burgers Without Buns

As a keto enthusiast, you must have wondered what fast food is keto-friendly. Here’s an answer for you – burgers, but without the buns.

It’s no news that restaurant burger meals are carb-heavy due to buns. As such, you’ll have to skip the buns and high-carb toppings for a keto-friendly version. High-carb toppings include honey mustard, ketchup, teriyaki sauce, and breaded onions.

Instead, you can use low-carb options, such as salsa, fried eggs, avocado, lettuce, onions, or tomato. You can also add a side salad with high-fat dressing for extra fiber.

Egg-Based Fast Food – An Amazing Keto Fast Food

Egg-based fast food is a great option when following a keto diet. Thankfully, most places have egg-based fast food on their menu. Eggs contain plenty of fat and protein while being super low in carbs. One egg contains around 6 grams of protein and under 1 gram of carbs.

Many egg dishes mostly come with bread or hash browns which are high in carbs. However, you can customize your order to make it keto-friendly.

Keto Breakfast Fast Food: Low Carb Burrito Bowls

A burrito wrap can contain over 300 calories and a whopping 50 grams of carbs. That’s a lot if you consider the low-carb nature of the ketogenic diet. As such, it’s best to skip the burrito wraps altogether.

You can start with a base of leafy greens that are low in carbs. Next, pick your favorite protein and healthy fat options. Also, avoiding high-carb toppings like tortilla chips, beans, sweet dressings, or corn is important. Instead, you should go for high-fat, low-carb choices like sliced avocado, sautéed veggies and guacamole.

In addition to these, sour cream, salsa, cheese, onions, and fresh herbs are also great options. All in all, the low-carb burrito bowl is an excellent choice for a keto breakfast fast food.

Amazing Keto Fast Food: Bunless Chicken Sandwich

When it comes to enjoying a keto-friendly lunch or dinner at a fast-food spot, simplicity is key. One of the easiest approaches is to order a grilled chicken sandwich minus the bun. Furthermore, you can get creative with your choice of high-fat toppings.

Not only will this keep you in ketosis, but it also ensures a nutritious and fulfilling meal. Most fast-food joints offer this option; you only have to ask.

Keto Fast Food: Lettuce-Wrapped Burgers

Fast-food establishments have observed a significant number of people embracing a low-carbohydrate diet.

As a result, they have introduced keto-friendly menu selections, such as burgers wrapped in lettuce. This is a superb choice if you are seeking keto-friendly fast food.

Keto Lunch Ideas Fast food: Unwiches Wrap

When you’re looking for keto lunch ideas for fast food, try the “unwich” wrap. It contains all the tasty fillings of a sandwich, minus the bread. The unwich wrap is an invention of Jimmy John’s, a popular fast-food spot.

They’ve got a bunch of mouthwatering unwich options to satisfy your cravings.

What Restaurants Serve Keto Fast Food?

There are several restaurants or food joints where you can order a variety of fast food. However, not all of them have options on their menu that are keto-friendly.

Here’s a list of restaurants that serve keto fast food.

Keto Fast Food Restaurant for Chicken: Chick-Fil-A

Chick-Fil-A can easily compete as the champion of all things chicken.  They’ve captured the hearts of chicken lovers across the country. Their secret seasoning blend remains a mystery.

One thing’s for sure: they take their chicken seriously. For one, they don’t use freezers for their poultry. It’s all about that fresh, superior quality.

For breakfast, you can go for a sandwich without the bread. You can also try a hash brown scramble bowl with chicken or sausage, minus the hash. The grilled fillet is also a safe bet.

Wendy’s – Enjoy Their Renowned Square Burger

Wendy’s has etched its name into the fast-food Hall of Fame. The square burgers have become a signature delight, and you can still enjoy them on keto.

While Wendy’s menu has evolved, those square burgers might appear bad for keto dieters. Nevertheless, you can still relish a Wendy’s burger without derailing your keto plan. It all boils down to how you order it.

As you probably know by now, you’ll need to skip the bun. In its stead, you can opt for the lettuce wrap version.

And if you want the Dave’s Single, you can simply ask for no bun, onions, or ketchup. For fewer carbs, you can choose Dave’s Double.

Burger King: The King of Keto Fast Food?

Burger King is among the best fast food options for people on a keto diet. You can enjoy a Whopper from Burger King even if you are on a keto diet.  You just have to ask that they skip the bun and ketchup. With this, you can enjoy two savory patties, two slices of cheese, and tons of bacon.

McDonald’s: You Can Still Eat Your Favorite Burgers

Despite some menu items not being consistent, like the grilled chicken, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy McDonald’s on keto. You just have to follow the rules of the keto diet.

For a start, McDonald’s Hamburgers are great for a keto diet. However, you just have to forgo the bun. Apart from hamburgers, you can enjoy items like the Quarter Pounder with Cheese and the McDouble. Also, they would have to come without the bun.

KFC – Yay or Nay for Keto Fast Food?

Watching your carbs would mean having to steer clear of KFC’s original recipe, crispy chicken. Nonetheless, you can still relish their delicious grilled chicken.

You can choose chicken thighs or breasts. However, go for the thighs if you’re looking for more fat.

Keto Fast Food: Chipotle – Go for the Guac & Meat

It’s easy to make your Chipotle bowl keto-friendly. Make a simple swap by replacing the rice and beans with Chipotle’s new cauliflower rice. You can also include their nutrient-packed super greens.

In addition to this, it is better to add a generous dollop of guac to your bowl. Not only does it taste delicious, but it also provides those healthy fats. These healthy fats are essential in a ketogenic diet.

Even better, Chipotle has launched a bowl for keto eaters. As such, you can just order this instead of customizing your keto-friendly meal.

In-N-Out: The Ultimate Lettuce-Wrapped Burgers

A trick to make the burger you order at In-N-Out keto-friendly is to order it “protein style.” That means they’ll swap out the buns and replace them with a crispy lettuce wrap.

If you’re not a fan of veggies, there’s a special order for you. The “flying Dutchman” is simply two juicy patties with gooey cheese in between. It is pure meat and cheese.

No matter which option you choose, you’ll want to skip the Animal Sauce. This is because it contains some ingredients that aren’t keto-friendly.

Popeyes: Low-Carb Chicken Tenders

Popeyes provide you with some keto-friendly dishes that are still absolutely amazing. An example of such dishes is the blackened chicken tenders.

This has just two net carbs. In addition to this, you can grab a side of their low-carb green beans and bacon.

Keto Fast Food Joint: Jack in the Box

Jack In The Box has plenty of keto-friendly options on their menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

One great option is the grilled club salad with julienne chicken. Remember to choose a keto-friendly dressing to go with it. The creamy Southwest dressing or a low-fat balsamic vinaigrette both contain only 3 grams of carbs per serving. If you need some extra fat, you can drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil on top.

Other keto fast food options here are the Extreme Sausage Sandwich and the Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich. However, they have to be without the bun. Additionally, the Buttery Jack Burger without ketchup or bun is a popular choice as well. And if you’re in the mood for something different, you can try ordering The Bacon Swiss Buttery Jack.

Keto Fast Food: Jimmy John’s Lettuce-Wraps

Sandwiches can be excellent choices for convenient meals, especially when it comes to fast food. However, one hurdle to overcome when following a keto diet is the presence of bread.

Fortunately, when it comes to Jimmy John’s, eating keto is quite easy. This is thanks to their wide range of low-carb options that include lettuce-wrapped alternatives. What’s more, you can build your perfect keto-friendly, low-carb sandwich at Jimmy John’s.

Keto Fast Food: How To Stick To Your Diet When Eating Out

As you can see, there are plenty of keto-friendly options when eating out at fast food places. To help you stay on track with your keto diet, here are some additional tips:

• Stick to protein-rich foods like meat and cheese. These options are typically low in carbs and safe for a keto diet. You can eat vegan meats like tofu and tempeh if you’re on a vegan keto diet. 
• Always ditch the bun or ask for a substitute, such as a lettuce wrap, to keep your meal low-carb.
• When ordering keto fast food, bring your own keto-friendly sauces. Most fast food sauces contain a high amount of sugar. As such, it’s best to come prepared with your own.
• Before ordering, check the nutrition information online. The hidden carbs in seemingly low-carb fast food meals might surprise you. 
• Pile on the low-carb extras like lettuce, pickles, onions, peppers, cheese, bacon, and mayo. This will enhance the flavor of your meal.
• Skip the dessert section. Unfortunately, there aren’t many (if any) dessert options at fast food restaurants that fit a keto diet.
• If you’re craving a soda, opt for diet options. Also, double-check the carb count to ensure it aligns with your dietary goals.

Being on a keto diet requires making some sacrifices. Nevertheless, you don’t have to forgo eating your favorite fast food. Using our guide, you can order keto fast food.