A fun hobby of mine (don’t look at me that way. It’s not like yodeling this time) is shopping restaurant menus for ketogenic, diabetic friendly food options.

They’re there; you just have to know where to look. While restaurants aren’t always the healthiest way to go for lunch (especially if you’re new to trying to figure this whole sugar free, low processed carbohydrate thing out), it certainly doesn’t have to hinder your progress (or lunch or dinner). There are, as an example, three ways to enjoy a burger where a salad is offered as a side salad option. Here I chose Burger King as my restaurant to illustrate (I am not being compensated and am not affiliated with the company in any way. Disclaimers are fun):

Meat Patty + Toppings

This is obviously easiest since tossing the buns and grabbing a fork is easy peasy lemon squeazy. The bonus here is enjoying your food unfettered and pretty much determining right away which restaurants make the best burger sans bun (it’s surprising how much the bun dresses up some sandwich patties flavor-wise).

Tip: On the road? Keep the buns as for two reasons: 1. It’s an insulator, keeping the meat patty warm until you get home (assuming a 10 minute or so trip); and 2. Cheese tends to stick to the wrapper more than to the bun (assuming a 10 minute or so trip). If traveling a longer distance and/or you plan to reheat your patty, ask for bun-free at the counter.

Meat Patty + Oopsie Roll

Oopsie rolls (recipe). If you haven’t heard of them by now, they were an accident in my kitchen in 2008, stemming from a marvelous kitchen error (hence the name). These rolls are easy to use, travel well when bagged (to retain some of their moisture), and have been with me everywhere, from Red Robin to Wendy’s to Burger King (pictured above). I am a ‘hold it in your hand’ kind of girl, so nothing, for me, is quite as wonderful as having a bun for my burgers. And since each oopsie roll is only .75 carbs per roll, you can afford to use two for those beefy hand grabs.

Tip: Make oopsies the day before and let them rest in a lightly sealed bag for even better portability and sturdiness.

Meat Patty + Side Salad

More and more companies are offering side salads in lieu of French Fries with their meals (it might cost a wee bit more, so ask), so take advantage and go a little saladtacular. Chop up your hamburger into small bites and crumble over your salad for beefy fabulosity and enjoy the best of all possible worlds. Be sure to check the carb contents of their dressings, and if there isn’t nutritional information, it’s better to skip it altogether. Chances are, with the beef patty pleasantries, you’ll enjoy all the flavor you can muster.

Tip: Want your salad to taste like a Big Mac? Combine a little Thousand Island Dressing with mayo (a 1:2 ratio works well here) and drizzle. If the restaurant offers both condiments, you can mix your own and make like a restaurant Julia Child + Bill Nye love child of lunch. Here’s my recipe for Thousand Island, just in case.

What are some of your favorite fast food tips? I’d love to know (and thousands more of your new best friends do, too).