Finding Low Carb Options at Cracker Barrel
When following a low carb or keto diet, dining out can seem daunting. You want to avoid the bread, crackers, noodles and sugary desserts found on most restaurant menus. Fortunately, with a little planning, you can enjoy tasty low carb meals at family favorite chains like Cracker Barrel.
Cracker Barrel offers a nice selection of low carb entrees, sides and breakfasts that fit a keto or low glycemic diet. Here's a look at the best options for keeping carbs to a minimum when dining at Cracker Barrel.
Low Carb Breakfast Choices at Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel is well known for its extensive breakfast menu available all day. Here are some of the top low carb morning picks:
- Egg dishes like fried eggs, omelets, egg white scrambles and fried egg sandwiches without the bread
- Country Skillet Breakfast - Eggs with low carb meat and veggie sides
- Country Boy Breakfast - Sausage, eggs and gravy without biscuits
- Bacon or Sausage
- Sugar-free syrup on pancakes or French toast
Request no pancakes, hashbrowns or biscuits to decrease carbs. Add extras like sugar-free syrup, cheese, mushrooms or onions.
Low Carb Lunch and Dinner Options
For lunch or dinner at Cracker Barrel, focus on the meat, veggies and salad options. Stay away from pasta, potatoes and breaded foods. Top choices include:
- Grilled chicken breast or salmon
- Roasted turkey or chicken without gravy
- Country roast beef or pork chop
- Chicken n' dumplins - Hold the dumplings
- Meatloaf
- Fried catfish - Hold the hushpuppies
Opt for low carb sides like broccoli, green beans, cole slaw, and cottage cheese. Add more fat and protein with extras like cheese, bacon, and eggs.
Salads and Dressings
Salads make an excellent low carb choice at Cracker Barrel. Build your own salad with plenty of keto-friendly add-ins:
- Grilled chicken
- Ham
- Eggs
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Cucumbers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Green onions
Ask for oil and vinegar or ranch dressing on the side to limit carbs. Avoid sugary dressings like honey mustard or poppyseed.
Low Carb Sides
Skip the biscuits, cornbread, potatoes, rice and breaded veggies. The best low carb vegetable side picks are:
- Fresh steamed broccoli
- Green beans
- Fried okra
- Fried zucchini
- Coleslaw
- Cottage cheese
- Fried apples
Loading up on green veggies boosts nutrition while keeping carbs minimal. Add extra butter or cheese sauce for more fat.
Avoid These High Carb Options
When possible, steer clear of these high carb menu items:
- Biscuits
- Hashbrowns
- Grits
- Gravy
- Pancakes and waffles
- Breaded fried foods
- Sandwiches and melts
- Pastas
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice pilaf
- Desserts
Low Carb Specials at Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel also offers some seasonal and limited time low carb specials. Keep an eye out for these keto-friendly options:
- Homestyle Chicken n' dumplins - Hold the dumplings
- Country Fried Turkey - Hold the gravy and mashed potatoes
- Sunday Homestyle Chicken - Opt for a vegetable instead of mac & cheese
- Salmon Fillet - With broccoli instead of rice
- Prime Rib - Choose a side salad
Tips for Ordering Low Carb at Cracker Barrel
Follow these tips to easily order keto-friendly meals at Cracker Barrel restaurants:
- Focus on eggs, meat, fish and vegetables
- Build your own omelet or salad
- Swap out high carb sides for extra veggies
- Request no biscuits, hashbrowns, potatoes or rice
- Ask for sauces and dressings on the side
- Add extras like avocado, cheese and bacon
- Avoid breaded, creamy and sugary menu items
- Check online menus and ask for nutrition info
Keto Meal Ideas at Cracker Barrel
Here are some ideas for putting together a tasty keto meal at Cracker Barrel:
- Scrambled eggs with bacon, cheese and sugar-free syrup
- Grilled chicken salad with ranch dressing on the side
- Roast beef platter with a side salad
- Fried catfish with broccoli and coleslaw
- Mexican omelet with green onions, salsa and avocado
With a little creativity, you can enjoy delicious low carb meals and still stick to your keto diet goals.
Low Carb Desserts at Cracker Barrel
Saving room for something sweet? Cracker Barrel offers a few low sugar dessert options:
- Sugar-free pecan pie
- Sugar-free chocolate cake
- Strawberry shortcake - Hold the biscuit
- Fruit bowls with cottage cheese
Avoid the pies, cobblers and ice cream for a lower carb finish to your meal.
Keto Drink Options
Stay hydrated with these low carb beverage picks:
- Water
- Unsweetened iced tea
- Diet soda
- Seltzer water
- Coffee - Black, with heavy cream or sugar-free syrup
Pass on the sugary lemonades, fruit juices and sweet tea. Adding lemon slices, lime wedges or cucumber can make basic waters more exciting.
Benefits of Low Carb Eating at Cracker Barrel
Choosing low carb options at Cracker Barrel provides these benefits:
- Keeps your daily net carbs low to maintain ketosis
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FAQs
What can I eat at Cracker Barrel on a low carb or keto diet?
Focus on eggs, meat, fish, and low carb vegetables. Avoid biscuits, potatoes, breaded foods, pancakes, and desserts high in carbs. Build your own omelet or salad for the lowest carb choices.
What are some good low carb breakfast options at Cracker Barrel?
Order eggs any style, sausage, bacon, sugar-free syrup, and skip the hashbrowns and biscuits. Opt for meat lovers scrambles or skillet breakfasts without the high carb sides.
What are the best low carb lunch and dinner picks at Cracker Barrel?
Grilled chicken, roasted turkey, country fried steak, meatloaf, and fried catfish are good low carb entrees. Pair with sides like broccoli, coleslaw, cottage cheese, and fried okra or zucchini.
What low carb dressings and sauces can I get at Cracker Barrel?
Ask for oil and vinegar, ranch, or blue cheese dressing on salads. Avoid sweet dressings with added sugar. Order sauces and gravies on the side to control portions.
What desserts and drinks can I choose on a low carb diet at Cracker Barrel?
Opt for sugar-free desserts like pecan pie or chocolate cake. Drink unsweetened iced tea, diet soda, coffee with heavy cream, or water with lemon.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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