6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (2024)

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6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (1)

  • The keto diet trend is taking over the US.
  • Chains are adding keto options to the menu as more people seek out high-fat, low-carb dishes.
  • Here are six keto-diet-approved menu items that chains including Chipotle, Blaze Pizza, and Qdoba have rolled out this year.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (2)

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6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (4)

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As the keto diet sweeps America, restaurant chains are trying to cash in on the trend.

People adhering to keto diets limit their carbohydrate intake, pushing their bodies to switch into a fat-burning state called "ketosis." That means ditching sugar, wheat, and beans, and cutting back on alcohol. Red meat and cream are encouraged in the high-fat, low-carb diet.

Sticking with any diet can be a challenge while eating out at restaurants. So, some chains are tweaking the menu to win over people on the keto diet.

Here are six chains that have rolled out keto-diet-approved menu items in 2019 and 2020.

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Chipotle's Keto Salad Bowl

6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (5)

Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

In January 2019, Chipotle debuted a line of "Lifestyle Bowls," designed to fit in different buzzy dieting trends. The line consists of the Paleo Salad Bowl, the Keto Salad Bowl, the Whole30 Salad Bowl, and the Double Protein Bowl.

The Keto Salad Bowl contains carnitas, romaine lettuce, red salsa, cheese, and guacamole.

Read more: Chipotle is trying to win over paleo, Whole30, and keto dieters with new menu items

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Blaze Pizza's Keto Pizza

6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (6)

Irene Jiang / Business Insider

Blaze Pizza became the first national pizza chain to roll out a keto-approved option in the US in July 2019. The fast-casual chain's keto crust has just six grams of net carbs, swapping flour for ingredients like flax seeds, eggs, and cheese.

"Pizza crusts are traditionally made mostly of flour, water and yeast," Blaze Pizza's executive chef, Brad Kent, told Business Insider. "Removing the flour brings several challenges since the gluten and starches and sugars (carbohydrates) deliver the desirable light, crispy, and chewy texture in addition to its toasty and yeasty flavor."

The chain's keto pizza features the keto crust, spicy red sauce, mozzarella, ovalini mozzarella, bacon, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach.

Read more: Blaze Pizza just launched the first keto-diet-approved pizza crust to be served at a national chain. I tried it and was surprised by how good it was.

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Qdoba's Smoked Brisket Keto Bowl

6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (7)

Qdoba

In August 2019, Qdoba rolled out its own line of bowls, including the Smoked Brisket Keto Bowl. The bowl features smoked brisket, guacamole, lettuce, pico de gallo, salsa verde, and shredded cheese.

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Smoothie King's Keto Champ Smoothies

6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (8)

Smoothie King

Smoothie King launched a line of keto diet-approved smoothies on August 20, 2019, using high-fat, high-protein ingredients like almond butter, cocoa, and almond milk.

The two blends are Keto Champ Berry, made with blueberries, raspberries, and almond butter, and Keto Champ Coffee, which features almond milk, cold brew, and cocoa. Both smoothies contain Smoothie King's keto protein blend.

"Guests are seeking smoothie options to meet a variety of dietary needs – particularly, we're seeing an increase in lifestyles that limit carbohydrate intake," Smoothie King chief marketing officer Rebecca Miller said in a statement.

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BurgerIM's Keto Burger

6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (9)

Unbun

BurgerIM launched what it called the first Keto Burger in October 2019, partnering with Unbun Foods on a low-carb bun.

The burger is available at all BurgerIM locations nationwide. It contains two patties, two slices of cheese, toppings of choice, and Unbun's Keto Bun.

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El Pollo Loco's Pollo Fit Bowls

6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (10)

Courtesy of El Pollo Loco

On December 27, El Pollo Loco added three new bowls to its menu, including two keto-approved bowls and one paleo-friendly bowl.

The two keto-certified bowls are the Double Chicken and Avocado bowl and the Double Chicken and Queso Fresco bowl. They are available at all El Pollo Loco restaurant locations.

"This is only the beginning for our growing better-for-you menu," Hector Muñoz, El Pollo Loco's chief marketing officer, said in a statement. "[We] look forward to debuting additional offerings customized for varying lifestyles in 2020."

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6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US (2024)

FAQs

6 keto diet-approved menu items major chains have rolled out across the US? ›

Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.

What foods do you eat on a keto diet? ›

Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.

What pizza chains have keto crust? ›

Many Pizzerias — such as Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza, Donatos Pizza and Your Pie — have responded with low-carb pizza crusts, often made mostly with cauliflower.

Can you eat a banana on a keto diet? ›

Bananas. Bananas may be great for muscle recovery, reducing bloat, and calming an upset stomach, but they're on the list of foods you can't eat on the keto diet. With 25g of carbs per 100g serving, bananas are too high in carbs.

Can I eat a whole avocado on keto? ›

If you have decided to follow a ketogenic diet, you should know that the avocado is a fruit you can include in your meals due to its healthy fat content. Avocados contain 5 g Monounsaturated Fat and 1 g Polyunsaturated Fat, making avocados great for a keto diet.

Can you eat cheese on keto? ›

You can eat high fat foods like cheese on the Keto diet. Cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese are the best to consider. Cheese to avoid on Keto are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

What vegetables not to eat on keto? ›

Starchy vegetables contain more digestible carbohydrates than fiber and should be limited when you're on the ketogenic diet. These include corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes and beets. Limit high-sugar fruits too, which spike your blood sugar more quickly than berries and have more carbohydrates.

What fruit can you eat on keto? ›

Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

What is the best meat for keto diet? ›

Some of the best meats for keto include beef, pork, chicken, salmon, and bison. Still, all plain, unprocessed meats are keto-friendly and low in carbs — so there are plenty of options to choose from. However, you may want to choose your meats based on other factors in addition to carb count.

Can I eat peanut butter on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Can keto eat pizza? ›

The keto diet is one that many people try out and can stick to because it makes them feel better and healthier. As with any diet, however, there are restrictions to what you may eat and the food you need to cut out. Fortunately, pizza lovers can continue enjoying pizza as long as they use the right crust and toppings.

Is cauliflower crust pizza keto-friendly? ›

Cauliflower pizza crust is a delicious gluten-free, low-carb and keto pizza recipe. It's a simple blend of cauliflower, eggs, cheese, and a few spices that's flattened and baked into a golden crust. Freeze it for later or top it off with fresh ingredients for a healthy dinner recipe.

What kind of pizza is OK for keto? ›

Thin crust pizza generally has fewer carbs than a traditional crust. A typical thin crust pizza has around 20g of carbs per slice. If you're on the IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros) type of keto, then you may be able to enjoy a slice of thin crust pizza on occasion.

Can you eat pizza crust on keto? ›

Your traditional pizza crust may contain as much as 80 net carbs, while keto pizza has approximately six net carbs. This difference is mainly due to the type of flour used. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, you can order a pizza whose crust is made from gluten-free flour.

What sweets can be eaten on keto? ›

Make a batch of keto chocolate chip cookies, keto red velvet cake, and keto brownies to get your fix. We've even re-created our favorite candies and snack aisle faves, like keto Oreos, keto peanut butter cup fat bombs, and keto copycat snickers. And if you're a Frosty fan, you'll have to try our keto Frosty!

Are boiled eggs good on keto? ›

No, hard-boiled eggs don't affect ketosis. The cooking method does not alter the carb content of eggs. Whether you prepare hard-boiled, scrambled eggs or an omelet, the egg-based dish will retain its high-protein and high-fat profile, as long as you don't combine it with any foods that are high in carbs.

Is peanut butter keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

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