One of the biggest challenges on any diet is what to eat when you’re on the go.
It’s incredibly easy to grab a bag of chips or get some quick fast food when you don’t have time for meal prep, but this simply won’t fly anymore now that you’ve gone keto.
So how do you stay low-carb when you don’t have time to cook? In this article we’re going highlight 25 keto foods perfect for when you’re on the go.
25 Keto Foods For On the Go
#1 Pork Rinds
Pork rinds are an excellent snack you can enjoy easily on the go. Not only do they contain fat and protein, this delicious snack has zero carbs (normally, but always check the label first!).
#2 Hard Boiled Eggs
Ok, this one might get you some stares due to the stinky sulfur that’s in the egg white, but hard boiled eggs are a great choice for keto dieters on the go as they essentially have no carbs, plus they’re portable!
#3 Dark Chocolate
Not only is dark chocolate keto-friendly, but it’s also a healthier snack than most people think due to it’s cocoa content.
Dark chocolate contains the natural compound called flavanols, which are chock-full of antioxidants and have even been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease [1].
#4 Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are a refreshing and light option for a quick snack. Just be mindful of how much you eat since they do contain some carbs—2g of net carbs per half-cup.
#5 Salami Sticks
These are a great, savory snack you can enjoy any time and, of course, with 0 prep time involved! They’re high in fat, contain no carbs (miniscule amounts), and they’re tasty!
Just be sure that the salami sticks you buy do not have any preservatives.
#6 String Cheese
Just to be clear, we’re talking about the stringy cheese sticks you buy at the store, not breaded cheese sticks!
Those are also delicious, but not keto-friendly.
When buying string cheese, go for full-fat. It provides a greater wealth of nutrition and even has anti-inflammatory properties to boot [2].
#7 Tuna Pack
Notice the word “pack”, as regular canned tuna isn’t exactly on-the-go friendly. Any grocery store, however, will sell some handy tuna fish in a small, single serving pack that makes for a great snack.
These packs usually have some great flavors too, like buffalo sauce, olive oil, herb and garlic, or lemon pepper.
#8 Salmon Pack
If tuna isn’t your jam, companies like StarKist and Chicken of the Sea also sell salmon packs which are also an excellent healthy keto snack.
#9 Jerky Sticks
If you’re willing to spend a little more, opt for the grass-fed variety of beef sticks. Just keep an eye out on labels, since many jerky sticks contain added sugar and preservatives, which could set you back.
#10 Nuts
Nuts are an easy on-the-go snack. You just pop a handful in your mouth to keep those hunger pangs at bay. Remember, many nuts are high in carbs, such as pistachios and cashews.
The best nuts for keto are brazil nuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, and walnuts. But even with these you’ll only want a small handful as a snack.
#11 Seaweed
This one may not satisfy all palettes, but seaweed can make for a healthy and tasty snack. They have a nice crunch to them, they’re salty, and best of all, they won’t harm your keto diet! While flavored seaweed snacks are fine, just make sure any added ingredients aren’t also adding carbs.
#12 Kale Chips
Kale is considered a superfood due its trove of health benefits, and this even includes kale in chip form! Just make sure the kale chips you buy do not contain added sugars. You can also easily whip some up yourself at home and bring them with you as a snack.
#13 Olives
Olives are another excellent keto snack. They’re a great source for healthy fats, they’re low in carbs, and are perfect as an on-the-go snack.
#14 Iced Coffee
Ok, ok, this one isn’t exactly a food snack, but drinking a cup of black coffee while you’re on-the-go is a great way to stave off your hunger pangs while also keeping to your diet. Consider adding some full-fat milk, cream, or even MCT oil powder for an extra healthy boost.
Related: Keto Bulletproof Coffee Recipe
#15 Seeds
Similar with nuts, there are keto-friendly seeds, and not-so-keto-friendly seeds. The best ones to take with you as a snack are sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, Chia seeds, and flax seeds.
#16 Pickles
Whipping out a pickle in public might get you a few stares, but they really are the perfect keto snack. They have zero calories and are low in carbs, so pack a few in a ziplock bag and enjoy!
#17 Deli Meat
Deli meat also makes for a great snack, especially ones that are higher in fat and protein, like ham and pepperoni. These will keep your carb count down while also satiating your hunger while you’re on the go.
#18 Bacon
I know, I know, bacon does require some prep time—they aren’t going to cook themselves! But next time you whip up some bacon for breakfast, make a little extra and pack it up in zip lock bags so you can take this high-fat snack with you next time you leave the house.
#19 Frozen Berries
Berries contain the lowest amounts of sugar than other fruits, making them ideal for the keto diet. Bringing some frozen berries with you on the go will ensure they stay cool and refreshing all day!
#20 Low Carb Bars
Pretty much any grocery store will have some great low-carb bar options stocked which will keep your stomach full and happy while on-the-go.
Just be sure to check out the ingredients and see what the net carbs are per bar. Some reliable brands are Quest Bars and NuGo.
Fast Food Keto
Sometimes you’re out of snacks and just want to hit up the drive through for some quick bites. Below are the most keto-friendly options so you know what to order, guilt-free!
#21 KFC Grilled Chicken
While you want to stay far away from KFC’s fried chicken, their grilled chicken is perfect for keto. Add a side of green beans with their three-piece grilled chicken meal for an under-10-carb snack.
#22 Lettuce-Wrapped Burger
Many fast food joints offer lettuce-wrapped burgers which makes for a great meal/snack. They’re high in protein and pretty much carb free!
#23 Breakfast Bowl
Panera Bread has a power breakfast bowl which is an excellent, low-carb option when you’re on the go. It features steak, tomatoes, avocadoes, and two eggs, making it hearty meal (or snack if you’re a big eater!)
#24 Bacon, Sausage, and Eggs—Oh My!
If you didn’t have time to prepare these items before leaving the house, roll up to any fast food joint for a quick, high-fat snack that will you keep your stomach full for hours.
#25 Breakfast Sandwich from McDonald’s
Sans bread, these little breakfast sandwiches make for a great snack. If you nix the muffin, you get cheese, ham or sausage, and an egg, making it perfectly suitable for the keto diet. It might not be a filling meal, but it makes for a fast and easy snack.
As you can see, there are tons of excellent keto foods that are perfect for when you’re on the go and which require zero prep time.
The key is moderation! Foods like cheese, nuts, and berries are great, but you want to be sure not to overeat. These should just be quick snacks that hold over your hunger until you can eat a proper keto meal.
Another thing to be mindful of are labels. There are plenty of keto-friendly snacks you can buy at the store, but always check the labels for added sugars, carbs, or unwanted ingredients.
References:
[1] West SG, McIntyre MD, Piotrowski MJ, Poupin N, Miller DL, Preston AG, Wagner P, Groves LF, Skulas-Ray AC. Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults. Br J Nutr. 2014 Feb;111(4):653-61. doi: 10.1017/S0007114513002912. Epub 2013 Nov 25.
[2] Lordan R, Tsoupras A, Mitra B, Zabetakis I. Dairy Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: Do We Really Need to be Concerned? Foods. 2018 Mar 1;7(3). pii: E29. doi: 10.3390/foods7030029.