how to eat keto in new york city

More and more people all over the world are giving the keto diet a try to lose weight and improve their lives. The central tenet of the diet is that what you eat should consist of 75% fat, 20% protein, and 5% or fewer carbs.

Trying to eat this way can be a challenge, especially when visiting a new city. However, if you are looking to eat keto in the Big Apple, then this article will give you some tips for typical types of restaurants you will find in the city that never sleeps.

Cafes and Coffee Shops

 

While coffee probably isn't the first beverage you think of when talking keto, it actually can fit into a keto lifestyle quite nicely as long as it isn't loaded down with sugar. We all know how easy it is to find a good cup of coffee in New York City.

Locations such as Dutch Bros and Dunkin' serve up some great keto options and are quite prevalent throughout the city. Indeed, Health and Wellness Promoter recently released a list of 25 keto drinks at Dutch Bros, and they are worth considering!

 

Italian Restaurants

While you need to stay away from pizza and pasta, that doesn't mean that everything is off-limits. Many antipasto dishes are full of everything you need to fully follow a keto diet, such as meats and cheeses. 

Traditional soups such as minestrone or Italian wedding soup likely don't contain enough carbs to throw off your eating habits completely. Meat, salad, and seafood options all have the potential to be perfectly fine, depending on their specific ingredients. 

Indian Restaurants

 

Eating keto at Indian restaurants is possible if you know what to order. Consider staying away from the naan and rice while instead filling up on kebabs. You could also ask for ghee, which is an Indian dish made from butter that is essentially pure fat. 

Another option is raita, which is a dip made from yogurt. While paneer (cheese) may be okay, it also occasionally includes carbs in the form of flour. So, you should double-check with your server before ordering it.

 

Chinese Restaurants

Sticking to clear soups such as egg drop soups will be a better move than going for thicker soups that usually contain more carbs. Steamed vegetables are a great staple because they don't include any breading. 

Stir fry is also generally pretty safe as long as the meat is not coated in cornstarch. The most important things to avoid when it comes to patronizing your favorite Chinese establishments are noodles, rice, wontons, and egg rolls.

 

Mexican Restaurants

Fajitas are a go-to option at Mexican restaurants as long as you forgo the tortillas—most taco filling is also acceptable as long as you leave off the shells. You could consider opting for lettuce shells instead. 

While chips are off-limits, you are free to fill up on guacamole. Pico de gallo is also your friend. As long as you stay away from rice and beans and stick to meats and veggies, you should be fine.

 

American Restaurants

If you're craving a burger, the meat perfectly fits into the keto diet. However, the bun is not as great of a fit. As long as you leave off the bread, having a hamburger can be completely keto. Unfortunately, the staple of American meals, fries, is not a great keto option. Instead, think about ordering veggies. Another route you could go is chicken wings with celery or carrots.

Conclusion

While eating keto at restaurants can be challenging, it is certainly possible. Ultimately, your choices are limited to how flexible you are willing to be with your diet for these meals out. However, for most people, getting a little more carbs than usual every once in a while will not cause a problem.

If you are hoping to be stricter, then you may have to get more creative with your ordering habits. Hopefully, the above tips will help you to confidently enjoy a meal out with your friends or family while experiencing New York City without throwing out all your hard work on your low-carb diet.