Keto Fast Food Options at Carl's Jr.
The keto diet has become one of the most popular diets for weight loss and improving health. By dramatically reducing carbohydrate intake, the keto diet forces the body to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose. This metabolic state is known as ketosis.
While the keto diet can be highly effective, it does require careful meal planning and preparation. Eating out at fast food restaurants can be challenging on keto. Menu options are often loaded with carbohydrates from buns, sauces, batters and sugars.
However, with a little creativity, it is possible to find keto-friendly options at most major fast food chains. Carl's Jr. in particular offers a number of low-carb choices that can fit into a ketogenic meal plan.
Bunless Burgers
One of the easiest keto fast food swaps is to order any burger or sandwich open-faced or without the bun. Most places are happy to accommodate this request.
Carl's Jr. has a great selection of burgers that can be customized to be very keto-friendly. Some good options include:
- Famous Star with Cheese
- Bacon Swiss Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger
- Guacamole Bacon Burger
Just ask for any of these served "protein-style" in a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. You can also order them bunless with the patty and toppings served on a plate or in a salad container.
Low-Carb Breakfasts
Breakfast sandwiches are tricky on the keto diet, as the bread, egg batter and sugary sauces add too many carbs. However, the breakfast menu at Carl's Jr. has some other great options.
A few easy keto breakfast choices include:
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bowl
- Egg (Scrambled)
- Bacon Breakfast Burger without bun
You can also create a customized breakfast bowl with eggs, cheese and your choice of low-carb meat like sausage, bacon or grilled chicken.
Salads
Fresh, low-carb salads are always a safe bet on the keto diet. Focus on getting extra protein and healthy fats by adding ingredients like grilled chicken, bacon, avocado, eggs, cheese and olives.
Some keto-friendly salad options at Carl's Jr. include:
- Charbroiled Chicken Club Salad with Ranch Dressing
- Bacon Cheddar Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Side Salad with Turkey, Bacon & Guacamole
Avoid croutons, sugary dressings, and high-carb ingredients like beans, rice, potatoes, apples and cranberry raisins.
Low-Carb Sides
Turning a keto-friendly entree into a complete meal can be tricky when all the side dishes are starchy or carb-loaded. Luckily, Carl's Jr. has some good options.
These make for perfect add-ons to any low-carb main:
- Side Salad
- Fried Zucchini
- Fried Pickles
- Jalapeno Poppers
You can also opt for a double serving of meat or an extra side of cheese, bacon or avocado.
Keto-Friendly Sauces and Condiments
The wrong sauces and condiments can sabotage an otherwise keto-friendly meal. Make sure to avoid sugary ketchup, BBQ sauce and honey mustard.
Some better options include:
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Buffalo Sauce
- Ranch
- Guacamole
And don't forget to skip the bun and go for lettuce wraps whenever possible. This avoids excess carbs from bread.
Low-Sugar Drinks
Finding keto-approved beverages can be difficult since classic soda, fruit juice, milkshakes and frappes are all off limits. However, Carl's Jr. does have some suitable options to quench your thirst.
Try one of these zero-carb to low-carb drinks:
- Diet Soft Drinks
- Unsweetened Iced Tea
- Water
- Sugar-Free Red Bull
- Cold Brew Iced Coffee
Avoid anything sweetened with sugar or fruit juice. And steer clear of milkshakes and smoothies which can contain massive amounts of carbs and sugar.
Sample Keto Meals at Carl's Jr.
While in ketosis, its recommended to keep net carbs under 50 grams per day. This requires careful tracking of carbohydrates from all foods and beverages.
To give you an idea of what an on-plan keto meal from Carls Jr. might look like, here are a few daytime menu examples:
Breakfast
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bowl
- Side Salad with Ranch Dressing
- Cold Brew Iced Coffee
Lunch
- Famous Star with Cheese Protein-Style (Lettuce Wrap)
- Fried Zucchini
- Diet Soft Drink
Dinner
- Bacon Swiss Crispy Chicken Sandwich Protein-Style (Lettuce Wrap)
- Bacon Cheddar Ranch Salad
- Sugar-Free Red Bull
Adding extra fat from salad dressing, cheese and mayo can help meet your macros and control hunger on keto as well.
Tips for Ordering Low-Carb at Carl's Jr.
Following a very low-carb ketogenic diet does take some extra planning and care when eating out. Here are some useful tips to stick to keto at Carl's Jr.:
- customize burgers or sandwiches without the bun or carby toppings
- ask for any sandwich or burger to be served protein-style in a lettuce wrap
- order the lowest carb salad dressings like ranch, vinaigrette, or olive oil & vinegar
- skip soda, juice, shakes and frappes for zero-carb beverages
- request extra sides of cheese, guacamole or bacon
- stick to water or unsweetened iced tea if other diet drink options look sugary
With a little preparation and menu knowledge beforehand, you don't have to put your keto diet on hold to enjoy a meal out at a fast food spot like Carl's Jr. By swapping out buns for lettuce wraps and choosing low-carb dressings and sides, you can easily modify menu items to be keto-friendly.
If in doubt, don't be afraid to ask your server for suggestions on the best way to adapt a meal to be very low-carb. With the rising popularity of low-carb diets like keto, most restaurants are getting used to accommodating special requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I order keto at Carl's Jr?
To order keto at Carl's Jr, opt for a bunless burger wrapped in lettuce, a salad with grilled chicken and low-carb dressing, or a simple bacon and egg breakfast bowl. Avoid starchy sides, sugary drinks, and high-carb sauces.
What should I not eat at Carl's Jr on keto?
Foods to avoid eating at Carl's Jr on keto include buns, french fries, shakes, sodas, breaded chicken tenders, and breakfast sandwiches with sugary sauces. Also skip milkshakes, fruit smoothies and sweeter salad dressings that have added sugars.
Does Carl's Jr have any keto friendly options?
Yes, Carl's Jr has many keto-friendly options. Get any burger or sandwich served "protein-style" without the bun in a lettuce wrap. Also choose salads with grilled chicken or other low-carb toppings. Eggs, bacon and cheese make good keto breakfast options.
What can I get from Carl's Jr that is keto approved?
Some of the best keto-approved options at Carl's Jr include bunless burgers, lettuce wrap sandwiches, salads topped with grilled chicken and bacon, sides like fried pickles and zucchini, and low-carb breakfast bowls with eggs and cheese.
Can I eat at Carl's Jr on the keto diet?
Yes, with some modifications, you can eat at Carl's Jr on the keto diet. The key is avoiding the bun, fries, sugary drinks and high-carb sauces. Focus on the burger patties, grilled chicken, salad greens, eggs, and cheese for keto-friendly meal options.
The Bottom Line
The keto diet opens up possibilities for customizing menu items that reduces carbs and kicks the body into fat burning mode. While fast food chains like Carl's Jr are known for burgers and fries, with a little creativity and menu knowledge, you can enjoy keto-friendly meals on-the-go.
Opt for bunless burgers and wraps, low-carb salads and dressings, sensible breakfasts bowls, and zero-carb beverages. With the right substitutions and swaps, you can easily adapt items at Carl's Jr to be keto-approved.
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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