On the keto diet and not sure what you can order when you drive up to Taco Bell? No worries! There are actually some great keto options at the popular fast food chain, which probably comes as a pleasant surprise as we gear up for a busy holiday season that won’t leave us with a whole lot of spare time to cook. So if you’re looking for the best Taco Bell keto options, we got ’em.
“The keto diet is very rich in fat, has adequate protein and is very low in carbohydrates. With keto, the goal is for the body’s metabolism to utilize fat for fuel, instead of glucose, which allows the body to mimic a fasting state,” explains Meredith Chandler, MS, RDN, a nutritionist at Atrium Health. She adds that as long as you’re willing to make a few substitutions, you can still grab some favorites from your favorite Mexican fast food spot with a keto-friendly twist, from breakfast options to dinner and late-night snacks.
The simplest keto Taco Bell hacks will typically include grabbing extra proteins like chicken or beef, and veggie add-ons like lettuce, onions, peppers and tomatoes. You’ll also want to skip tortillas, taco shells, chips, rice, beans and refried beans, says nurse practitioner and nutritionist Emily Weaver, owner of Root Power Nutrition LLC. “While beans are a good source of protein for a vegan or a vegetarian diet, they are also high in carbohydrates. Sauces also tend to be higher in carbohydrates,” she adds, noting that it’s OK to include shredded cheese, sour cream and guacamole for fats.
Looking for more keto Taco Bell specifics? Here are 10 delicious, nutritionist-approved Taco Bell keto options.
Keto Taco Bell Options
1. Power Menu Bowl
Taco Bell’s power menu bowl is one of the best options for keto dieters. Tamar Samuels, RDN, NBC-HWC and owner of Culina Health says, “This is probably the easiest to make keto because the ingredients are the easiest to customize.” Chandler adds, “a chicken, steak or veggie power bowl with no rice, or beans and try adding extra lettuce, pico de gallo and guacamole.” Make sure you leave off any extra sauces, too.
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2. Fiesta Taco Salad
Weaver says this salad is a great option if you make some…