The Atkins Diet Plan has been around for many years, but now more and more Americans have been jumping on the low-carb bandwagon. New low-carb products have been popping up in grocery stores everywhere. Now, low-carb items are making their way to casual dining restaurants and fast food chains. Sticking to your diet plan just got easier. Below is a list of some of the franchises that have included low-carb items on their menus.
Atkins Approved Menus: Subway and T.G.I. Friday’s
Subway was the first restaurant to serve Atkins approved meals. The submarine sandwich franchise provides low-carb salads and wraps that adhere to the rules of the Atkins Diet Plan. The second restaurant to become Atkins approved was T.G.I. Friday’s. This restaurant chain offers eight dishes to help you stick to your low-carb diet plan.
Low-carb Menu Items at Casual Dining Restaurants
When you have time to sit down for dinner but you do not want to cook, you can find many carb-conscious meals at your favorite restaurants. Though not approved for the Atkins Diet Plan, these next causal dining restaurants do provide options for low carb dieters that they can customize to meet their dieting needs.
Chili’s
Here, you can find various grilled items that are low-carb. Though not Atkins approved, these low-carb items, found on the "Guiltless Grill” section, abide by the low-carb, low-calorie needs of customers.
Ruby Tuesday’s
Another restaurant to join the low-carb craze is Ruby Tuesday’s. Offering more than 40 low-carb items throughout its menu, customers can have complete meals, from appetizers to desserts, guilt-free.
Red Lobster
If you have cravings for some seafood, Red Lobster can provide a few dishes that help you stick to your diet. Recently, it created the “Lighthouse Specials Menu” containing various seafood items that are low in carbs. All the items are cooked with no breading and are broiled or baked.
Low Carb Items at Fast-Food Chains
Even fast food chains have recognized the importance of low carb diets like the Atkins Diet Plan. From breakfast to dessert, you will find that many of the fast-food chains have traded in their traditional greasy foods for healthier versions and fresher salads. The following fast-food chains have made the necessary changes to keep their low-carb customers happy.
Hardee’s
Hardee’s became one of the first fast-food chains to introduce the bunless hamburger. Now, it offers two more low-carb items, including a breakfast bowl filled with meat, cheese, and eggs.
Burger King
Burger King has started advertising some of their regular burgers as low-carb (simply without a bun). They claim they have 12 burgers that are low carb as well as new diet-friendly fire-grilled salads. They have also added a low-carb Angus burger, much like the burger offered at Hardee’s.
McDonald’s
Though McDonald’s has not revamped its menus, it has stopped allowing the “Supersize” option to be used. They have, however, included a new “adult” Happy Meal called the “Go Active Happy Meal for Adults.” The meal includes a premium salad, bottle of water, and stepometer.
Popeye’s
The newest promotion at Popeye’s features No Carb “Naked Chicken.” Instead of their usual breading, the chicken is covered in seasoning, eliminating any possible carbs from the meal.
Blimpie
The Blimpie franchise is also adding carb-conscious items on its menus. The “Blimpie Carb Counter Menu” lists seven meals that all contain less than 12g of carbs. They have even included a new beverage, the Sobe Lean, which contains only 1g of carbs.
TCBY
This frozen yogurt pioneer offers premium yogurt “For Low Carb Lovers.” Containing on four net carbs, this new dessert is only offered in chocolate and vanilla with a promise of new flavors to come.
By Tamara C. Jude