I love eating out. I can’t wait to be handed that menu, and read through the pages like a novel. I truly enjoy the fresh ingredients and those creative combinations, but am just as pleased with the basics. The restaurant doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy, although I am easily impressed by a themed setting or unique atmosphere. I appreciate the efforts in the kitchen, and I love that I don’t have to clean up. And nothing has changed since I started following a keto way of eating… you can really eat anywhere – you just have to be a little creative!
Lobster Cobb Salad
The easiest meal to order is a salad, topped with a protein & dressed with olive oil. Cobb Salads are PERFECT (egg, avocado, bacon, tomato), but you can really enjoy any bed of greens with grilled chicken, steak, shrimp or even lobster! Get fancy & go for the Iceberg Wedge, complete with those blue cheese crumbles, or indulge in a Caesar Salad (just skip the croutons). Toppings to avoid: candied nuts, craisins or any dried fruit, carrots, beets, or other higher carb veggies.
There are tons of dining options out there… here are a few of the more popular:
Fine Dining
Go for the steak! Prime rib or other fattier cuts are great. Chicken (any way but fried), pork and almost all seafood are other fine options. The only problem you’ll run into is sides… swap any potatoes, pasta or rice for a salad or keto-friendly vegetable. And keep an eye on the sauces (creamy is usually ok, but “sweet” is not).
Sauteed Scallops over Spinach
Most chicken or seafood dishes can be made keto by simply having them served them over sauteed spinach instead of pasta. Or splurge on lobster or crab… and dip the meat in that butter for a ketolicious treat!
The Chains
Fridays, Applebees, Chilis… Options are limitless here. Salads, burgers (no bun), other meats (veggies instead of a starch for the sides), there are plenty of choices. You know what else you can have? Chicken Wings! As long as they aren’t battered in any way, chicken wings are keto approved 😉
You’ll need to watch out for sauces here too. Ribs are great, but you’ll need to get the “dry rub” as most BBQ/Teriyaki type sauces are loaded with sugar. Same goes for the wings… stick with regular Buffalo (and dip away in that blue cheese) or the Garlic Parmesan styles. Anything that tastes the least bit sweet, contains carbs.
“Low Carb” Whopper w/Cheese
Fast Food
Not my favorite option, but I have taken a liking to Burger King if I have to pick one. They offer all of their burgers as “low carb,” which just means it comes in a bowl, rather than on a roll. And at least the “Whopper” includes some veggies (lettuce, tomato, onion). Add the cheese, but skip the ketchup (loaded with sugar)… mustard & mayo (even though it’s not the best mayo) are ok. If you really need to amp up your fats for the day, just throw on some bacon 😉
Obviously you’ll have to pass on the fries & onion rings, that also goes for the chicken nuggets & any kind of fried fish. Grilled chicken sandwiches (without the roll), or fried chicken where you can remove the breading and just eat the meat, are also viable choices.
One other note on the fast food chains… they’re actually great for breakfast! Any bacon/egg/sausage/ham/cheese sandwich can be eaten without the “bread” for a relatively low carb meal.
Other Quick & Convenient Options
Pizza. Think of the crust as your plate & use a fork to eat the top right off! The more toppings, the better. This is a “before & after” of a recent Cheesesteak Slice I had 😉 Or I’ll get the “Everything” slice, loaded with pepperoni, sausage & all the veggies. Like a white pie? Load it up with spinach & tomatoes and make sure they don’t skimp on the ricotta! Remember: Cheese is your friend.
Roast Beef “Bowl”
Subs. Load up on the meats, cheeses & veggies, and use a fork to eat it out of the roll like a bowl. This “bowl” from Jersey Mike’s is one of my favorites… they also offer the option of ordering any of their subs this way 🙂
See? Not so hard! Just stay away from anything breaded or fried (I have been known to “pick off” the breading from zucchini sticks & calamari… lol), and no fries, rice, quinoa, pasta, couscous & other grains. You’re also going to have to skip desserts while you’re out, unless you can get a bowl of berries. Save your sweets for at home, where you can bake with low-carb sugar substitutes and make your own whipped cream.
Remember that restaurant meals are usually a little heavier on the calories, so you still have to watch it, but you don’t have to stay home & miss all the fun! Do I miss my nachos & would I love a grilled panini? Of course, but overall, eating out is still a most pleasurable experience for me while following keto. 😋
A few more faves…
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