The 14 Best Low-Carb Fast Food Options

Key Takeaways

• Many fast food chains offer customizable options, so you can easily turn your favorite order into a meal that fits your low-carb eating plan.
• When ordering, skip high-carb ingredients like buns, wraps, rice, or corn, and opt for salads, bowls, or bunless sandwiches instead.
• Avoid high-carb add-ons like ketchup, barbecue sauce, and sugary condiments. Instead, choose low-carb toppings, such as grilled veggies, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream, which add healthy fats.

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Going low-carb is a lifestyle. If you track your daily carbohydrate count and stick to a certain numeric goal. 

We recommend preparing most of your meals at home using fresh, whole foods. However, if you're short on time, need a quick meal, or just crave a drive-thru, you can order plenty of low-carb fast food options. You can change your go-to order to fit your low-carb eating plan with a few tweaks. For example, you may skip the bun on the burger, order a bowl without rice, or choose the salad over the sub sandwich.

Next time you're in a pinch and looking for a healthier fast-food meal, consider the options below. All are low in carbs but big in flavor.

1. In-N-Out Protein-Style Burgers

"Protein-style" in In-N-Out speak means skipping the bun and wrapping the burger in lettuce leaves instead. Some folks actually prefer it this way — the crunchy lettuce cuts through the fatty burger quite nicely. A protein-style cheeseburger at the West Coast chain has just 330 calories and 11 grams of carbs; compare that to a regular cheeseburger with 480 calories and 39 grams of carbs.¹

2. Five Guys Bunless Burgers

A regular cheeseburger at Five Guys has 980 calories and 40 grams of carbs. Order it bun-less, and you'll save nearly all 40 grams of carbs (the sesame seed bun contains 39 grams of carbs). Five Guys stocks various veggies containing minimal carbs so that you can top your lettuce-wrapped burger with plenty of greens.²

3. Subway Protein Bowls

Subway’s Protein Bowls, also called the "No Bready Bowls, " let you turn your favorite footlong into a low-carb lunch. Choose from classics like the Grilled Chicken, Meatball Marinara, Oven Roasted Turkey, Roast Beef, or Rotisserie-Style Chicken, or build your own with all the fresh veggies, proteins, and customizable toppings at Subway. For example, the grilled chicken bowl has 200 calories and only 9 grams of carbs. If you're looking for a keto-friendly option, go for the tuna, which is higher in fat with 550 calories, 8gr carbs, and 47gr fat.³

4. Jimmy John’s Unwich

Like Subway, you can make any sandwich at Jimmy John's bread-free. All of the chain's Unwiches contain 10 grams of carbs or less. Order the Totally Tuna sandwich as an Unwich, and you'll save 230 calories. Most sandwich to Unwich swaps on the JJ menu save you anywhere from 230 to 350 calories on average when you skip the carb-rich French bread.⁴

5. KFC Grilled Chicken

Whether you get the drumstick, thigh, breast, or wings, all KFC's grilled chicken orders are carb-free. Each piece is marinated with KFC’s signature blend of herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection for a smoky, juicy flavor without added carbs. The Kentucky grilled chicken breast has 210 calories, 0 g carbs, and 38 g protein, while the Original Recipe breast has 390 calories, 11gr carbs, and 39gr protein. Remember to complete your grilled chicken order with low-carb sides like green beans or a side salad (hold the croutons and sugary dressings).⁵

6. Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

Skip the chicken sandwich and go for the nuggets at this fan-favorite chicken chain. With only 130 calories, 3gr of fat, 1gr of carbs, and a hefty 25gr of protein per 8-count serving, these juicy, marinated bites will keep you full for hours. Chick-fil-A's nuggets are great for low-carb or keto diets, made from tender, whole chicken breast and grilled to smoky perfection. Pair them with a side of the Kale Crunch salad and a low-carb dipping sauce like the Zesty Buffalo.⁶

<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href=eating-at-chick-fil-a>What to Order at Chick-fil-A, According to a Registered Dietitian</a>.</div>

7. Chipotle Salad or Burrito Bowl

Unwrap any burrito at Chipotle into a salad or bowl and you've got a low-carb meal still packed with protein. Simply skip the tortilla and load up your bowl with protein-rich options like grilled chicken, steak, barbacoa, sofritas, or carnitas. Add a base of leafy greens, and top it off with low-carb ingredients like fajita veggies, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, and fresh salsas. The rice, beans, and roasted chili corn salsa are all higher in carbs, so skip those toppings to keep your entree low-carb. 

A grilled chicken bowl with all the works (including guac, cheese, and sour cream), minus the rice, beans, and roasted chili corn salsa, comes out to 725 calories, 46gr fat, 29gr carbs, and 43gr protein.⁷

8. Taco Bell Cantina Chicken Bowl

Taco Bell's Cantina Chicken Bowl features tender grilled chicken paired with crisp lettuce, guacamole, reduced-fat sour cream, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo for a satisfying mix of textures, flavors, and nutrients. Just hold the rice and beans to cut back on carbohydrates. The result is a bowl packed with 20 grams of protein, just 280 calories, and 10 grams of carbs.⁸

9. Taco Bell Doritos Locos Tacos

If you're craving tacos at the Mexican-inspired fast food joint, the Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos are a safe bet regarding carb count. One crunchy taco will cost you 170 calories and 12 grams of carbs. You'll only get 8 grams of protein, which isn't a complete meal. So consider pairing this tortilla chip taco with the Cantina Chicken Bowl for a more filling meal.

10. Starbucks Sous Vide Egg Bites

Hitting Sbux in the a.m.? Don't sleep on the Sous Vide Egg Bites when ordering that grande cold brew. These velvety, bite-sized treats are made with cage-free eggs, creamy cheeses, and savory toppings. Try the Bacon & Gruyère Egg Bites, Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Bites, and Kale & Mushroom Egg Bites—all have around 9 to 11gr carbs and 170 to 300 calories.^{9, 10}

11. Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo wings generally skip the carb-rich breading, but they're deep-fried. You'll keep this protein-packed snack low in carbs if you order it without sweet sauces, such as teriyaki, honey mustard, honey garlic, maple, mango, or barbecue. For example, an order of 10-count boneless wings from Buffalo Wild Wings has 610 calories and 34gr of carbs before adding any sauces.¹¹

12. Jack in the Box Chicken Club Salad

Salads are always a smart choice at fast food restaurants, and this Chicken Club Salad from Jack in the Box is a light, lean option. It features shredded cheddar, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots, all dressed with a vinaigrette—and you'll want to opt for the grilled chicken strips instead of the crispy chicken to save on carbs from the breading. Your total will be 9gr of carbs and just 200 calories.¹²

13. Wendy’s Parmesan Caesar Chicken Salad

Another smart salad option is the Wendy’s Parmesan Caesar Chicken Salad. The classic combo of romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, crunchy Parmesan croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing is satisfying and will run you just 530 calories and 15gr of carbs (with the dressing).¹³

14. Any fast food sandwich without the bun

Ordering any fast food sandwich and asking for no bun is an easy way to keep carbs low. Whether ordering a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin or Burger King Whopper, ditching the bun eliminates unnecessary carbs while keeping all the delicious toppings and flavors you love. Plus, you can ask for your sandwich in a bowl, so it's a little less messy. 

The Bottom Line

Many fast food chains, such as Subway and Chipotle, let you customize your order to skip all the carby toppings. While ordering, keep in mind that add-ons like bread, wraps, buns, rice, and corn are all high-carb add-ons, while condiments such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, and anything honey or maple-based are all higher in carbs. Instead, opt for low-carb alternatives like extra grilled veggies, guacamole, cheese, and sour cream—plus, these toppings also usually add healthy fats, a bonus when you're on a keto diet.

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<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Learn More: </strong><a href=eating-at-mcdonalds>What to Order at McDonald’s, According to a Registered Dietitian</a>.</div>