I’ve confessed countless times that I’m a convenience eater. And even with going low carb, fast food is still a regular part of my diet. Regular as in at least weekly if not several times a week.
This week I happened to go to McDonalds for lunch, and mainly only because I was craving one of their Iced Coffees. 🙂 There are plenty of options to eat low carb at McDonalds, so I just decided to grab lunch while I was there getting my coffee.
I order my Iced Coffee with sugar free vanilla, by the way. They do use half & half for creamer, so you’ll have a slight carb count for that.
At home, or at other coffee shops, I would use heavy whipping cream in my coffee instead. Back to the rest of the menu, though…
When going for low carb fast food, you want to be cautious about your choices. The best thing you can do is pull up the nutrition facts and double check items before you order. You can download Nutrition Facts for almost any restaurant online, and print the PDF file for easy reference. Or you can just pull it up on your mobile phone if you’re out and about.
As an example, you might be inclined to get the Angus Bacon & Cheese Snack Wrap when going for low carb at McDonalds:
I’ve tried it, and it IS tasty. But it’s definitely a “snack”. As you can see above, even without the onion and ketchup, it’s approximately 22 net carbs. And that’s all in the wrap. You’d be much better off to just order the Angus Bacon Cheeseburger without ketchup and remove the bun – which is what I did this week:
I just brought it home, stripped off the top bun & onions, held it by the bottom bun and ate it (not the bottom bun, everything else -lol). That bun alone is over 50 carbs, by the way.
If you’re on the go, a couple of things I do:
Keep plastic silverware in your car or in your bag. You never know when you might need it as a low carber.
Carry snacks and “snack accessories” (lol) with you. Low Carb Tortillas can be brought along in a Ziploc bag, and they’re great for handling a big messy burger – with a lot less mess. 😉
Low Carb Fast Food: Eating Low Carb at McDonalds
Here’s a quick list of Low Carb Fast Food you can order at McDonalds:
- Any burger, without bun or ketchup
- Grilled chicken sandwiches, sans bun
- Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
(no tomatoes or croutons) - Bacon Ranch Salad w/ Grilled Chicken
(no tomatoes or croutons) - Any breakfast sandwich, without biscuit/bread
You can use the McDonalds Food Menu to select specific food items and see the nutrition facts. It will let you uncheck things like bun and ketchup to get a carb count on any item. This little tool has been a big help in choosing low carb at McDonalds!
Happy Eating! 😀
Lynn, such a great and helpful and REAL post! Just last night, we went to Red Robin and I just ordered my bacon cheeseburger with a lettuce bun — making it only 8 net carbs. So easy. And you know, I don’t really miss the bread at all. π
Also, if you are near a Jimmy John’s (we have them in Nashville), you can custom order (and check nutrition facts online) any of their gourmet deli sandwiches with the lettuce wrap “bread.” Really yummy and easy, too.
Thanks for the continued helpful info!
I’ll have to try that! We don’t have either place here where I live (um, middle of nowhere -lol). I’m curious what made your bacon cheeseburger 8 net carbs? Ketchup?
I don’t miss the bread either. In fact, since going low carb I’m shocked at how much “filler” there is to sandwiches and meals when eating out. Sometimes it’s shocking what’s left when you remove the bread. π Hardees and McDonalds are serving decent sized burgers these days though – the thickburger being my fave!
When you suggested the sausage and egg from Jack in the Box previously… my hubby did a little dance.
He often has this for “brunch” because he is “in town” all day working for clients and can’t come home to eat.
The Angus burger will give him another option. (I don’t think he needs so many eggs every week anyway)
Keep ’em coming Lynn…
I eat the sausage egg mcmuffins all the time (see photo in post -lol). Just without the mcmuffin. I also love the thickburger from Hardees. If he likes the low carb tortillas, those are easy enough to keep on hand in a ziploc bag – easier to handle UNsandwiches π
Hi Lynn, I’ve lost 66 lbs since January when I scaled at 274 lbs. I was 208 this morning. No more blood pressure pills, I’m not borderline diabetic anymore and I feel great. I’ve been on a low-carb plan (I no longer call it a diet) and it is the only thing that I’ve had success at.
I stay away from fast foods for the most part but like you, when I travel it’s a challenge. I’ve found that if you order your sandwich and just say, “no bun”, no one even bats an eye. Low carb is getting so popular many restaurants include the low carb option on their menu. It makes sense, they get the same money for less food.
BTW, I’ve looked at Low Carb Tortillas at the grocery store and they are not low carb at all. I’m not familiar with the brand you’re linking to, I’m just referring to those sold here in locally. Nice site, I’ve followed you for years and didn’t realize you had this one.
I haven’t been able to find the lower carb tortillas locally again myself, so I ordered them online – they are 3 net carbs. Usually I just eat my burger without a bun or tortilla – but I don’t mind just picking it up and getting messy. π lol…
Congrats on your weight loss and the improvements to your health! My blood pressure is down, I just discovered. I didn’t have any major health issues (yet) but had reached 175 pounds – and at a 5’5″ woman (with shoes on!) that was getting pretty uncomfortable.
I used to carry Atkins bars with me, but I got tired of chocolate (most common bars) and am really enjoying the Quest bars now. It’s nice to have something easy you can take on the go with you – especially when flying.
Great to see you here too – glad you joined us!! π
What is the problem involving tomatoes?, you suggest nixing them if ordering a Caesars Salad with Grilled chicken at McDonald’s(isn’t most dressing the real problem?)
Caesar and Bleu Cheese dressings are low carb. Some more than others. There’s no problem with tomatoes in general, but they are not on the list for Phase 1 of a low carb diet from what I recall – I need to double check that.
The Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, minus tomatoes and with Caesar dressing, is only 8 net carbs. With the tomatoes, it’s 10 net carbs. A big portion of those carbs are the high fiber salads/greens (good carbs).
I was wondering, (I may have missed it) where exactly did you find the chart for the Angus wrap ? It seem like a very handy tool to be able to check of items and see what my net carbs would be I M on Atkins. I am enjoying it Also
They changed their links! Sorry about that. Try this one instead: http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/food_quality/nutrition_choices.html
Thanks for the tips! I’d just like to add the McDonald’s ranch is pretty carb filled!
You’re right, Destiny – a single McDonald’s ranch packet is TEN carbs. That’s crazy, compared to almost any other fast food place.
I love the Wendy’s Caesar Salad and the Bojangles’ Roast Chicken Salad – and both of those places have very low carb ranch for the salads. π
So glad I found your article. It will help me stay Keto while traveling this summer.
I’m glad, Lara. π How are your summer travels going so far??
Iβm newly Keto, 1 week, I feel good and the way loss is at 3 lbs. love this forum
Welcome Kathy! π
Is Big Mac sauce carby?
I’m not sure, Yani – but McDonald’s has a nutrition calculator on their website. You can create a meal and then remove the bun and any other ingredients, so it’ll be easy enough to see! π
Amazing and very helpful ideas, Lynn! I always have a struggle with eating low carb out on the road!
I’m glad, Paula. π I actually PREFER eating on the go and dining out – or getting low carb take out even. I’m on the go, or traveling, and otherwise can’t be bothered to make a big mess in the kitchen for just one person. π haha