Staying Keto at Sonic: A Guide to Low-Carb Drinks and Meals

For those following a ketogenic diet, navigating fast food menus can be a challenge. Sonic Drive-In, known for its variety of options, can be surprisingly accommodating to keto dieters. This guide will walk you through how to order keto-friendly drinks and meals at Sonic, so you can enjoy a fast-food treat without breaking your diet.

Keto-Friendly Food Options at Sonic

While Sonic's menu is filled with carb-heavy items, you can still find several options that can be modified to fit a keto lifestyle. The key is to focus on protein and fat while avoiding buns, tortillas, and sugary sauces.

1. Breakfast Burritos (Served in a Bowl): Forget the tortilla and ask for the SuperSONIC Breakfast Burrito or Ultimate Meat and Cheese Breakfast Burrito to be served in a bowl. Be sure to specify that you don’t want the tater tots.
2. Breakfast Toaster (Without Toast and Tots): Simply skip the toast and tots to make it keto and ask for a bowl. Choose between sausage or bacon.
3. Breakfast Bowls (Select Locations): The Crispy Bacon Breakfast Bowl or Savory Sausage Breakfast Bowl require no substitutions but are available only at selected locations.
4. Burgers (No Bun): Order a burger without the bun and ask for a bowl. This option is keto-friendly and relatively low in calories.
5. Wraps (No Wrap): Ask for no wrap and put it in a bowl. This option is suitable for those tracking calories.
6. Burgers (No Bun, No Ketchup/BBQ Sauce): Order a burger without the bun and hold off on ketchup or BBQ sauce, as they are usually high in carbohydrates and sugars. Add extra American cheese, crispy bacon, mustard, or mayo to enhance the flavor.
7. Hot Dogs (No Bun, No Sauce): If you find limited options, a plain hot dog can work. You can add chili if desired.
8. Crispy Tenders: The 2-piece Crispy Tenders contain 170 calories, 11g net carbs, and 0 sugar. This makes them a relatively low-carb choice without modifications.

To keep your meal low-carb, avoid sides like french fries, tater tots, and onion rings. Always remember to check the nutritional information if available, and when in doubt, ask for ingredients to be listed.

Navigating Sonic's Drink Menu on Keto

Sonic is known for its extensive drink menu, but many options are high in sugar and carbohydrates. Fortunately, there are several keto-friendly choices available.

1. Diet Cherry Limeade: The Diet Cherry Limeade is a refreshing and tasty keto drink option at Sonic. It combines the tangy zest of lime with the sweetness of cherry flavor without the added sugar. It is made with diet cherry syrup, lime juice, water, and real lime wedges.
2. Peach Unsweet Iced Tea: A great choice, especially if you bring your own Stevia or other keto-friendly sweetener.
3. Diet Dr. Pepper: A classic diet soda option. You can even add sugar-free flavorings like Diet Cherry to it.
4. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Hot Coffee: A regular size (16 oz) has 0 calories, 0 net carbs, and 0 sugar. Most Sonics carry artificial sweeteners like Sweet & Low and Splenda.
5. Water Bottle: Sonic's water bottle (16.9 oz) has no calories, no net carbs, and no sugar.
6. Unsweetened Iced Tea with Sugar-Free Add-Ins: Sonic offers a variety of sugar-free add-ins for unsweetened iced tea, including Diet Cherry, Diet Lime, Blackberry Sugar-Free, Mango Sugar-Free, Peach Sugar-Free, and Raspberry Sugar-Free.

Drinks to Avoid

• Slushies: Avoid all slushies, as they are typically made from a base of sugar and ice. A small size can contain as much as 48 grams of carbohydrates.

Calculating Net Carbs

To calculate net carbs, subtract dietary fiber from total carbohydrates. Don’t forget to count sugars! For example, a Footlong Quarter Pound Coney contains 52g net carbs.

Read also: Crafting Sonic Ocean Water at Home

Tips for Ordering Keto at Sonic

• Do Your Research: Before visiting, check the nutritional information for different menu items.
• Utilize the Sonic App: Take advantage of the Sonic App for Happy Hour deals, where drinks are half-price all day.
• Customize Your Order: Don't hesitate to ask for modifications like no bun, no tortilla, or substitutions.
• Focus on Protein and Healthy Fats: Prioritize options with high protein and fat content to keep you full.

Keto-Friendly Fast Food Alternatives

If Sonic isn't your only option, consider these other fast-food restaurants with keto-friendly choices:

• Starbucks
• McDonald’s
• Chipotle
• Taco Bell
• Five Guys
• Domino’s
• Applebee’s
• Subway

Read also: Nutritional Analysis: Diet Cherry Slush Sonic

Read also: Diet Lemonade at Sonic: A Closer Look

tags: #sonic #keto #drinks #nutrition #information