Keto Diet And Mcdonald's: What Can You Eat?

McDonald's is the world's largest fast-food chain, and it offers a variety of keto-friendly options. While it's important to watch out for hidden carbs in sauces and dressings, there are several meals that can be made keto-compliant with a few simple modifications. For breakfast, you can order the Sausage McMuffin without the English muffin, the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit without the biscuit, or the Egg McMuffin without the muffin. For lunch or dinner, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, the Double Cheeseburger, or the Big Mac without the bun are good options. Salads are also a viable choice, but be cautious of the salad dressings, as they can be high in carbs.

Keto breakfast options at McDonald's

If you're looking for a keto breakfast at McDonald's, you're in luck! There are several options to choose from, but you'll need to make some modifications to your order. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Sausage McMuffin with Egg, no muffin: This option provides a good balance of fat and protein, with 27 grams of fat and 15 grams of protein. It's a filling choice and a favourite among keto dieters.
• Egg McMuffin, no muffin: This is a good choice if you're looking for a rounded egg and some Canadian bacon. It has 11 grams of fat and 12 grams of protein.
• Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit, minus the biscuit: This sandwich becomes a keto-friendly combination of bacon, egg, and cheese when you skip the bread. It offers 13 grams of fat and 14 grams of protein.
• Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle, no bun: If you prefer a folded egg, this option is similar to the Sausage McMuffin with Egg but with a McGriddle twist. It has 27 grams of fat and 14 grams of protein.
• Triple Breakfast Stack McGriddle, no griddle cake: This is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and very low-carb option with 56.5 grams of fat, 32 grams of protein, and only 7 grams of net carbs.
• The Big Breakfast, no biscuit or hash browns: This classic breakfast becomes keto-friendly when you skip the biscuit and hash browns, leaving you with scrambled eggs and a sausage patty.

When ordering keto at McDonald's, it's important to remember to avoid buns, muffins, biscuits, hash browns, and other breaded items. You can also ask for extra shredded lettuce and onions to make your breakfast more filling. Additionally, be cautious with your beverage choices, as sugar-free options may still contain carbs.

Keto burgers at McDonald's

If you're following a keto diet and craving a McDonald's burger, you're in luck! You can still enjoy a burger by making a few modifications to your order. Here's what you need to know about ordering keto-friendly burgers at McDonald's:

What to Order

When ordering a burger at McDonald's while on a keto diet, the general rule is to go for a bunless burger. Ask for no bun and no ketchup to significantly reduce the carb count. You can also skip the sauce or choose a low-carb sauce option. Here are some specific burger recommendations:

• Big Mac: Order it without the bun and Big Mac sauce. This option has around 3-5 grams of carbs, depending on whether you include the sauce.
• Quarter Pounder with Cheese: Skip the bun and ketchup for a burger with only 2-3 grams of carbs. You can also omit the cheese for an even lower-carb option.
• Double Cheeseburger: Opting for this burger without the bun and ketchup will give you around 3 grams of carbs.
• Bacon McDouble: Leaving out the bun and ketchup results in about 4 grams of carbs for this option.
• McDouble: This value menu option becomes keto-friendly when ordered without the bun and ketchup, with only 3 grams of net carbs.
• Cheeseburger: A classic cheeseburger without the bun and ketchup is another inexpensive keto option, with 4 grams of net carbs.

Customisation Options

To make your keto burger more enjoyable, consider adding extra toppings like shredded lettuce, onions, or cheese. You can also ask for a side salad or extra romaine lettuce to wrap your burger in, creating a lettuce wrap. Additionally, choose low-carb sauces like mustard or mayonnaise, which have 0 net carbs.

Ordering Tips

Using the McDonald's app can be extremely helpful for customising your order. The app allows you to make specific modifications and ensure your order is correct. Ordering through the app also gives you access to deals and discounts that may not be available through the drive-thru or counter.

What to Avoid

While ordering keto at McDonald's, there are a few things you should avoid:

• Bread and Breaded Items: Stay away from buns, biscuits, muffins, wraps, and breaded items like chicken nuggets and crispy chicken sandwiches.
• Ketchup and Salad Dressings: Ketchup is often included on sandwiches, so always remember to ask for no ketchup. Salad dressings are also high in carbs, so it's best to avoid them.
• Sugary Drinks and Milkshakes: Regular soft drinks, milkshakes, and frozen drinks are loaded with sugar and carbs. Opt for unsweetened iced tea, diet soda, Coke Zero, or Diet Coke instead.

Remember, even with these keto-friendly options, McDonald's food is highly processed, so it's best to enjoy these options in moderation.

Keto drinks at McDonald's

If you're following a keto diet, you may be wondering what drinks you can order at McDonald's. Here are some options to consider:

• Unsweetened iced tea: This is a good option as it has 0g net carbs. You can sweeten it with keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia, which you can bring from home.
• Diet Coke: Diet Coke also has 0g net carbs, making it a suitable choice for keto dieters.
• Coke Zero: Like Diet Coke, Coke Zero contains no net carbs, so it's another drink you can opt for.
• Other diet drinks: Depending on your location, there may be other diet drink options available that fit within the keto diet.
• Water: While it may not be a flashy choice, water is always a healthy and keto-friendly option.
• Unsweetened iced coffee: If you're craving coffee, it's best to stick to unsweetened iced coffee and avoid adding cream or milk, as these can add carbs. Avoid sugar and sugar substitutes as well, as they can impact blood sugar levels.

It's important to note that while these drinks are keto-friendly, you should still consume them in moderation as part of a balanced keto diet. Additionally, be mindful of any condiments or additives you include in your drink, as they can affect its keto-friendliness.

What to avoid on the McDonald's menu when eating keto

When eating keto, there are several items on the McDonald's menu that you should avoid.

Firstly, avoid all breads and breaded items, including buns, biscuits, muffins, wraps, bagels, chicken nuggets, and crispy chicken sandwiches. These items are high in carbs and will knock you out of ketosis. Instead, opt for a lettuce wrap or bring your own low-carb tortilla.

Secondly, stay away from ketchup and other sugary sauces. Ketchup is often included on sandwiches and has more sugar than you might expect. Other sauces to avoid include barbecue, honey mustard, honey, sweet and sour, and pancake syrup.

Thirdly, avoid the salad dressings. Although they may seem like a healthy option, most McDonald's salad dressings are shockingly high in carbs. Instead, make your own dressing using the available dipping sauces, such as the creamy ranch or buffalo sauce.

Fourthly, skip the French fries, milkshakes, frozen treats, and shakes. These items are high in carbs and will hinder your keto diet.

Lastly, be cautious of coffee and other beverages. While black coffee or unsweetened tea are keto-friendly, the sugar-free coffee options at McDonald's are not carb-free. Regular soft drinks, specialty coffees, sugary drinks, smoothies, and frozen drinks should also be avoided.

By avoiding these items, you can stay on track with your keto diet while still enjoying the convenience of McDonald's.

Keto orders on the McDonald's app

Ordering keto food at McDonald's is easier than you think. The key is to avoid buns, breaded items, ketchup, and sugar-free beverages. Here are some tips and suggestions for placing keto orders on the McDonald's app:

Using the McDonald's App for Keto Orders:

The McDonald's app is a great way to ensure your keto order is correct and convenient for pickup. The app also offers deals that can save you money. Here are some tips for using the app:

• Order bunless burgers or sandwiches. You can ask for extra lettuce to make it a lettuce wrap or bring your own low-carb tortilla.
• Avoid breaded items like chicken nuggets and crispy chicken sandwiches.
• Avoid ketchup, as it often comes on sandwiches and has more sugar than expected.
• Avoid sugar-free beverages, as they may still be high in carbs. Stick to unsweetened iced tea, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, or unsweetened iced coffee.
• Avoid the salad dressings, as they are usually high in carbs. You can bring your own low-carb dressing or ask for a dipping sauce like ranch or buffalo sauce.

Keto Breakfast Options:

The McDonald's breakfast menu offers several keto-friendly options:

• Sausage McMuffin with Egg, no English muffin: 3g net carbs, 27g fat, 15g protein. You can order two and ditch the muffins to make a keto breakfast sandwich.
• Egg McMuffin, no English muffin: 3g net carbs, 11g fat, 12g protein.
• Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit, no biscuit: 4g net carbs, 13g fat, 14g protein.
• Sausage Burrito, no tortilla: 3g net carbs, 13g fat, 9g protein.
• Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle, no bun: 4g net carbs, 27g fat, 14g protein.
• Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle, no griddle cakes: 3g net carbs, 270 calories.
• Egg Biscuit, no biscuit: 2g net carbs, 70 calories.
• Sausage Biscuit, no biscuit: 1g net carb, 190 calories.
• Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit, no biscuit: 3g net carbs, 270 calories.

Keto Burger Options:

When ordering burgers, ask for no bun and no ketchup. You can add extra shredded lettuce or a side salad to make it a burger salad. Here are some keto burger suggestions:

• Quarter Pounder with Cheese, no bun or ketchup: 3g net carbs, 25g fat, 25g protein.
• Big Mac, no bun or Big Mac sauce: 5g net carbs, 25g fat, 18g protein.
• Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, no bun or ketchup: 2g net carbs, 32g fat, 37g protein.
• McDouble, no bun or ketchup: 3g net carbs, 18g fat, 17g protein.
• Cheeseburger, no bun or ketchup: 3g net carbs, 20g fat, 20g protein.
• Double Cheeseburger, no bun or ketchup: 3g net carbs, 290 calories.
• Triple Cheeseburger, no bun or ketchup: 3g net carbs, 360 calories.

Keto Chicken and Salad Options:

If you're craving chicken or a salad, here are some keto-friendly options:

• Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich, no bun: 2g net carbs.
• Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad, no cheese, tomato, or dressing: add ranch dipping sauce for 1g net carb.
• Side Salad, no tomatoes: 1g net carb, 2g net carbs with tomatoes.

Keto-Friendly Sauces and Condiments:

When ordering keto at McDonald's, you can add flavour with these keto-approved sauces:

• Spicy Buffalo Sauce: 1g net carb, 3g fat.
• Creamy Ranch Sauce: 1.5g net carbs, 12g fat.
• Signature Sauce: 3g net carbs, 9g fat.
• Mustard: 0g net carbs.
• Mayonnaise: 0g net carbs.

So, the next time you're in a pinch and need a quick keto meal, remember that McDonald's has plenty of options available through their app!

Frequently asked questions