Mcdonald's Coffee: Keto-Friendly Or Not?

McDonald's is known for its burgers, fries, and milkshakes, but can you eat there while following a keto diet? The short answer is yes, but with some adjustments. The key to ordering keto at McDonald's is to stick to grilled options, avoid breaded items, and be mindful of sauces and dressings, which can be high in carbs.

For breakfast, you can order any of the sandwiches without the muffin, biscuit, or griddle cake. For example, a Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McMuffin without the English muffin has 4g net carbs, 26g of fat, and 15g of protein. Similarly, for lunch or dinner, you can order any of the burgers without the bun and skip the ketchup. A Quarter Pounder with Cheese without the bun and ketchup has 3g net carbs, 25g of fat, and 25g of protein.

When it comes to drinks, McDonald's offers unsweetened iced tea, Diet Coke, and Coke Zero, all of which are keto-friendly options. As for coffee, black coffee is always a safe choice, but be cautious of their sugar-free options, as they may still contain cream and milk, adding carbs to your drink.

McDonald's coffee: what to add and what to avoid

If you're following a keto diet, you may be wondering if you can still enjoy a cup of coffee from McDonald's. The good news is that you can, but there are some things to keep in mind to make sure your coffee stays keto-friendly.

What to Avoid

When ordering coffee from McDonald's while on a keto diet, it's important to avoid adding any sugar or milk. This includes their sugar-free flavourings, as these can still contain carbohydrates and impact your ketosis. Their iced coffees also typically include cream and milk, which can add carbohydrates to your drink. It's best to stick to hot, black coffee or unsweetened iced coffee with no cream or milk.

You should also avoid any of the sweet treats that McDonald's offers, such as milkshakes, ice cream, and cookies, as these are high in carbohydrates and sugar.

What to Add

If you're looking to add some flavour to your coffee, there are a few keto-friendly options. You can bring your own low-carb sweeteners, such as Stevia, Swerve, or Monk Fruit. You can also add heavy cream or butter to your coffee for a boost of healthy fats. If you're ordering in the app, you can also ask for unsweetened iced coffee and sweeten it yourself with your preferred sweetener.

Other Keto-Friendly Options at McDonald's

In addition to coffee, there are several other keto-friendly options at McDonald's. For breakfast, you can order any of the sandwiches without the muffins, biscuits, or griddle cakes. For example, the Sausage McMuffin without the muffin has only 2g of net carbs. For lunch or dinner, you can order any of the burgers without the bun and ketchup. The Quarter Pounder with Cheese, without the bun and ketchup, has 7g of net carbs. You can also add extra lettuce or a side salad to make it a more filling meal.

So, if you're following a keto diet, you can still enjoy a cup of coffee from McDonald's and take advantage of their other keto-friendly options. Just be mindful of the added sugars and carbohydrates in their flavourings and milk products.

Keto-friendly McDonald's breakfast options

If you're looking for a keto-friendly breakfast at McDonald's, there are several options to choose from. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Sausage McMuffin with Egg (No English Muffin)

This is a filling option that includes an egg patty, a sausage patty, and a slice of cheese. To make it keto-friendly, simply order it without the English muffin. The macros for this option are 340 calories and 3 net carbs.

Egg McMuffin (No English Muffin)

The Egg McMuffin is a popular choice, and you can make it keto-friendly by ordering it without the English muffin. It includes an egg patty, Canadian bacon, and a slice of cheese. This option has 160 calories and 3 net carbs.

Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McMuffin or McGriddle (No English Muffin or Griddle Cake)

For a heartier breakfast, try the Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McMuffin or McGriddle without the English muffin or griddle cake. This combination provides 4g net carbs, 26g of fat, and 15g of protein.

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit (No Biscuit)

If you're a bacon lover, this option includes a folded egg, two strips of bacon, and a slice of cheese. Ordering it without the biscuit makes it keto-friendly. It has 190 calories and 3 net carbs.

Triple Breakfast Stack McGriddle (No Griddle Cake)

For a bigger breakfast, try the Triple Breakfast Stack McGriddle without the griddle cake. This option offers 7g net carbs, 56.5g of fat, and 32g of protein, which are ideal macros for a keto diet.

Egg McMuffin (No English Muffin) with Keto Cloud Bread

If you're looking for a low-carb option, try the Egg McMuffin without the English muffin. You'll get a rounded egg, cheese, and Canadian bacon. It has 3 net carbs and 260 calories. Pair it with keto cloud bread for a more satisfying meal.

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle (No Griddle Cakes)

Another bacon option is the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle. Order it without the griddle cakes to make it keto-friendly. It includes bacon, a folded egg, and cheese, with 3 net carbs and 270 calories.

Sausage Burritos (No Tortilla)

For a breakfast bowl option, try the Sausage Burritos without the tortilla. This will give you scrambled eggs, sausage crumbles, green chiles, and onions. It has 4 net carbs and 200 calories.

Remember to avoid high-carb items like buns, muffins, biscuits, hash browns, pancakes, and ketchup when ordering breakfast at McDonald's. With these options and customizations, you can enjoy a delicious keto-friendly breakfast on the go!

Keto-friendly McDonald's burgers

If you're following a keto diet, you can still enjoy some of your favourite McDonald's burgers by making a few simple adjustments. Here are some tips to help you order keto-friendly burgers at McDonald's:

Bunless Burgers

The first step to making any McDonald's burger keto-friendly is to skip the bun. A standard bun can have up to 28 grams of carbs, which is a big no-no on a keto diet. Ask for your burger to be wrapped in lettuce instead, or bring your own low-carb tortilla to wrap it in.

Avoid Breaded Items

Breaded items like crispy chicken or nuggets are typically high in carbs, so it's best to avoid them. Stick to burgers with grilled meats instead.

Say No to Ketchup

Ketchup may seem harmless, but it can be surprisingly high in sugar. A single packet can have more sugar than you'd expect, so it's best to skip it when ordering your keto burger.

Choose Your Toppings Wisely

When it comes to toppings, cheese is a good option as it adds fat, which is essential on a keto diet. You can also add extra lettuce and onions to your burger to bulk it up and make it more like a burger salad.

Approved Sauces

While you'll want to avoid most salad dressings, there are a few keto-approved sauces you can add to your burger for extra flavour. Go for the Spicy Buffalo Sauce or Creamy Ranch Sauce, which have minimal carbs and will add some much-needed fat to your meal. You can even mix them together for a delicious, keto-friendly treat.

Keto-friendly Drinks

When it comes to drinks, avoid the sugar-free options, as these can still be high in carbs. Instead, opt for unsweetened iced tea, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, or unsweetened iced coffee. If you're craving something with a bit of flavour, McDonald's offers a Sugar-Free French Vanilla Iced Coffee that might hit the spot.

Example Keto Burgers

• Double Cheeseburger without the bun or ketchup
• Quarter Pounder with Cheese without the bun or ketchup
• Bacon McDouble without the bun or ketchup
• Big Mac without the bun, ketchup, or Big Mac sauce (although adding the sauce only adds one extra carb!)

So, if you're craving a McDonald's burger but want to stick to your keto diet, don't worry! With a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy a delicious and keto-friendly meal.

Keto-friendly McDonald's chicken and salads

McDonald's offers a variety of keto-friendly chicken and salad options. Here are some tips and recommendations to help you make keto-friendly choices:

Chicken Options:

• Avoid breaded chicken options like crispy chicken or chicken nuggets, as they are high in carbohydrates.
• Opt for grilled chicken instead of breaded chicken to keep your carb count low.
• The Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich can be ordered without the bun for only 2 net carbs.
• The Pico Guacamole with Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich (no bun) is a good option with 6g net carbs, 19g of fat, and 29g of protein.
• The Mushroom & Swiss Grilled Chicken (no sauce, bun, or onion strings) is another keto-friendly choice with 2g net carbs, 9g of fat, and 33g of protein.

Salad Options:

• Side Salad: The side salad at McDonald's is a keto-friendly option with 2g net carbs, 0g of fat, and 1g of protein. You can add extra flavour with keto-approved sauces like Spicy Buffalo Sauce or Creamy Ranch Sauce.
• Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad: Order this salad without the ranch dressing. You can add the creamy ranch dipping sauce on the side for an additional 1.5g carb. This option has 5g net carbs, 13g of fat, and 42g of protein.
• When ordering salads, avoid the croutons and salad dressings, as they are high in carbohydrates. Instead, use keto-approved sauces or make your own dressing with dipping sauces.

General Tips:

• Avoid ketchup, as it is high in sugar.
• Avoid bread and breaded items, including buns, biscuits, muffins, wraps, and bagels.
• Avoid sugar-free coffee options, as they may still contain carbohydrates. Opt for black coffee and bring your own low-carb sweetener if needed.
• Use the McDonald's app for convenience and potential savings.

Keto-friendly McDonald's drinks

If you're following a keto diet, you may be wondering which drinks at McDonald's are suitable for you. Here's a guide to help you navigate the menu and make keto-friendly choices.

Coffee

McDonald's coffee can be keto-friendly, but you need to be mindful of the flavourings, cream, and milk that are often added. While sugar-free flavourings have zero net carbs, McDonald's iced coffees typically include cream and milk, which can add at least 9 grams of carbs to your drink.

To keep your coffee keto-friendly, opt for hot black coffee or iced coffee with no cream or milk. Avoid sugar and flavourings, as even sugar alcohols can sometimes impact blood sugar levels. If you're ordering iced coffee, ask for it to be unsweetened, as iced coffee is usually made with coffee, cream, ice, and sugar syrup.

Tea

Unsweetened iced tea is a keto-friendly option at McDonald's, with zero net carbs. You can sweeten it yourself with keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia.

Diet Soft Drinks

Diet soft drinks are another option when following a keto diet at McDonald's. Choices like Diet Coke and Coke Zero have zero net carbs.

Water

Water is always a healthy and keto-friendly option, but if you're looking for a carbonated drink, the diet soft drinks mentioned above can be a good choice.

Things to Avoid

When ordering drinks at McDonald's while on a keto diet, it's important to avoid regular soft drinks, milkshakes, and ice cream-based beverages. These are loaded with sugar and carbs. Even the sugar-free coffee options at McDonald's should be approached with caution, as they often contain cream and milk, adding to the carb count.

In summary, when ordering keto-friendly drinks at McDonald's, stick to black coffee, unsweetened iced tea, or diet soft drinks. Avoid regular soft drinks, milkshakes, and sugar-laden coffee options.

Frequently asked questions