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 are keto-approved? ›

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 are the main food groups in the keto diet? ›

Get ready for a whole lot of fat, some protein and just about zero carbs throughout your day. Keto-approved fridges and pantries include meat, seafood, dairy, eggs, nuts, fats and oils and some veggies that grow above ground.

What is the keto diet in the US? ›

As many as 7 percent of Americans followed this eating plan in 2022, according to data from the International Food Information Council, while the global ketogenic diet food market skyrocketed to $8.8 billion that same year. The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet with moderate levels of protein.

What pizza chain has keto pizza? ›

Blaze Pizza Launched A Keto Pizza Crust That You Can Get Delivered Straight To Your Doorstep. It only has 6 net carbs.

Can I eat bananas on keto? ›

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.

What fruit can I 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.

Is Greek yogurt keto? ›

Is Greek Yogurt Keto? Yes! Especially for those of us who struggle to meet protein needs, Greek yogurt is an excellent choice on the keto diet. A 3/4 cup serving of full fat Greek yogurt has 5g of carbs, 9g of fat, and 15g of protein, making it my favorite choice for the keto diet.

What keto foods are most filling? ›

Try these 10 filling low-carb foods to satisfy hunger and fight cravings:
  • Lean Meats. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Seafood. ...
  • Cottage Cheese. ...
  • Portobello Mushrooms. ...
  • Berries. Full of natural sweetness and nutrients, certain berries make a great snack idea on a low-carb menu.

What foods not to eat on keto? ›

10 Foods You Can't Eat on the Keto Diet & Their Substitutes
  • Grains and Starches. ...
  • Sugary Foods and Sweets. ...
  • High-Carb Fruits. ...
  • Starchy Vegetables. ...
  • Legumes and Beans. ...
  • Processed Foods with Hidden Carbs. ...
  • Alcohol and co*cktails. ...
  • High-Carb Sauces and Condiments.

Is bacon keto-friendly? ›

Can You Eat Bacon On a Keto Diet? While you may not think of bacon as diet food, most types of bacon fit perfectly into a keto diet plan since they're low in carbs yet high in protein and fat. That means bacon is perfect for snacking on in the afternoon or mixing into your chicken dinner dish for some extra flavoring.

Can you eat rice on keto? ›

Both white and brown rice are high in carbs, so in general, rice is *not* keto. Keto-friendly alternatives to rice include vegetable options with broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and zucchini. There's evidence that following a keto diet may play a role in weight loss, and even managing diabetes.

Is cheese pizza OK for keto? ›

Folks who love cheese and pizza together will be relieved to know that there are many cheese types that go well with a keto diet. Here are some of the cheeses you can add to your pizza without feeling guilty: Mozzarella cheese (shredded or fresh) Pepper jack cheese.

Will one slice of pizza ruin keto? ›

Regular Crust

If you're limiting your carbs to 20-50 grams per day, one slice of this type of crust will likely kick you out of ketosis.

Does Papa Murphy's do cauliflower crust? ›

Every Papa Murphy's pizza is built to perfection with exactly what you want. You choose whether you want it in our famous Take N' Bake style or Cooked for you in-store. You select the type of crust from Original, Thin, Pan, Stuffed, Gluten Free, Cauliflower, or even Crustless and your favorite fresh ingredients.

What foods are off limits for keto? ›

10 Foods You Can't Eat on the Keto Diet & Their Substitutes
  • Grains and Starches. ...
  • Sugary Foods and Sweets. ...
  • High-Carb Fruits. ...
  • Starchy Vegetables. ...
  • Legumes and Beans. ...
  • Processed Foods with Hidden Carbs. ...
  • Alcohol and co*cktails. ...
  • High-Carb Sauces and Condiments.

Is peanut butter keto-friendly? ›

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.

Is popcorn allowed on a ketogenic diet? ›

Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.

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