Atkins Diet: Is Eating Out possible while on low carb?

Is eating out at restaurants possible on Atkins Diet or while low carbing? I certainly go out to eat a few times each week and can say conclusively there are a number of options for low carb'ers when eating out. The most important thing is to not be shy with servers about questions about the menu or in asking for substitutions.

Here are some of my favorites:
* Buffets - go to high quality, and stay away from anything breaded, sauced, or full of non-legal ingredients

* Salad Bars / Deli's - nothing better than a fresh vegetable deli - watch for high carb dressings or highly processed deli meats

* Brazilian Steak Houses - stay away from the bean dishes or the potato-filled side dishes

* Mongolian Grills - caution on the sauce - research before hand; oils, garlic, and spices should be fine

* Mexican - fajitas without the beans, rice, or tortillas - yum!

* Wings Places -- ask if the wings are naked or breaded

* American / Steakhouses / Burgers - just simply exchange high carb sides for vegetables, and ask for no bun

* Fast Food - get a high quality salad or simply ask for a burger / grilled chicken without the bun

These are just some of the options. It would be hard to find a restaurant without any possible options for the low carber to partake. You might have to ask a few questions than other diners, and be sure to tip well and patronize those places which go out of their way to accommodate you.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Atkins Diet
• Low Carb
• Bowulf
• Weight loss
• Success
• Eating Out
• Restaurant
• cuisine

[reeltroutstudio]

Great suggestions, Kent! We have Carl's Jr. here (West Coast, Northwest) which serves all their burgers as 'low carb' (sans buns) - I do remove the red onion (carbs and sharp taste), but often get the bacon cheese six dollar burger, lettuce wrapped - an easy meal for on the go!

[bowulf]

@reeltroutstudio Exactly... The options are almost endless for what to eat out and still eat well for the low carber. While I wish more restaurants would cater to the low carber or make their low carb options as cost effective as their high carb ones, finding an option is usually not a problem.  Hardee's and Carl Jr. should be commended for promoting theirs.

My local BK due to many of my coworkers and my ordering without a bun has instituted a low carb option on their cash register.

[hdyhhfdg]

Lets say you want to get fried chicken wings at a Chinese buffet. How would you know what oil it was fried in??? What if it was fried in corn oil?? That's not allowed is it??

[bowulf]

@hdyhhfdg It's typically not what the chicken is fried in that you need to be concerned about. It is the breading of the fried chicken, and I am pretty safe to say any fried chicken at a restaurant will be coated in starches in flour. Corn and other oils are allowed.

[kim24may]

can u give me some low carb salad dressing suggestions,i like to eat salad but im not sure if the salad dressing i like is ok for the atkins.i use olive garden italian dressing

[bowulf]

Almost any Caesar Dressing is legal... Hidden Valley Ranch is safe too. Kraft Ranch has got higher carb recently, so looking for alternative brands, like Mrs Clark, are better.

[hdyhhfdg]

@bowulf I always saw the skin not coated at chinese restaurants ... it's just deep fried. But if you're sure that it's coated I'll take your word on it! lol

[redneck500]

O man, you make me so hungry rite now, that I think I am going to go to the mongolian grill for lunch and have them cook up mean and veggies for me for lunch!!

[bowulf]

Great approach - Wendy's is good food and should be 100% ground beef. I am definitely not a fast food snob, and there is nothing wrong with a double stack with cheese (the cheese might be processed "cheese food" so watch out for that on Induction). Great plan!

[PGMEagle]

Or if I do go to a pizza place I usually get a house salid and ask for a cup of mayo to put on top makes for a good meal