When you hit the road this summer, it can be pretty difficult sticking to a low-carb diet when fast food is your only option. Don’t let your road trip sabotage your health. There are some good low carb choices to choose from on your journey. Let’s look at some of the best low carb foods you can enjoy:
Eggs with Bacon or Sausage
Sometimes enjoying the simplest of breakfast options can be your best bet when it comes to fast foods, and sometimes the traditional breakfast of sausage or bacon and eggs is the winner because you will also find them available at most fast-food outlets. The good news too, is that they have the minimal amount of carbs. Try the Starbucks Sous Vide Egg Bites: Bacon & Gruyere with only 9g of carbs. This tasty option will keep you satisfied for hours.
Lettuce-wrapped burger
A bun-less burger wrapped in lettuce makes for a standard low carb meal, which is high in protein and carb free, available at most fast food burger places. Five Guys will “proudly serve your burgers bun-less upon request” in either a lettuce-wrap or “bunless burger bowl”.
Jersey Mike’s Sub in a Tub
Ordering your Jersey Mike’s sub in a container rather than the bun will save you at 50 grams of carbs. Instead of a bun, ask for your sub in a tub and request that it be served as a salad, made with olive oil and vinegar for your dressing.
Chipotle salad or bowl
Chipotle also just makes it so easy to create low carb meals with high-quality ingredients. Choose a salad with chicken or meat, grilled veggies and guacamole and you will have chowed down only 14 grams of carbs which are all fiber and high-quality protein. Chipotle also has an online nutrition calculator which allows you to see the exact amount of carbs you get in each meal.
Panera Bread Power Breakfast Bowl
Breakfast foods are often high in carbs but Panera Bread offers a couple of low carb options. Ask for the “hidden menu” to find options like the the “Power Breakfast Egg Bowl with Steak” that includes 2 eggs, steak, avocado and tomato (4g of carbs and 20g of protein). Or the “Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl with Turkey” which contains egg whites, bell peppers, spinach, and basil (7 grams of carbs and 25 grams of protein). Starting the day with a high-protein breakfast promotes a feeling of fullness, keeping you going and decreasing your appetite by reducing the levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, in your body.
Summer travel doesn’t have to take you off course of your health goals. Choose the best low carb fast food options on the road or prepare and pack your meals ahead of time so you are not tempted.