Dining customers are beginning to care more and more about the ingredients they are being served and rightfully so. “Is it organic?” “Is it gluten-free?” “Is it antibiotic-free?” These are probably questions you’ve heard before. This year, you’re bound to hear questions about Keto Diet menu options.
The Keto Diet has actually been around for a while but has become very trendy this year. It is a high-fat, low-carb diet that is designed to help the dieter’s body achieve ketosis, where the body uses fat as its primary source of energy instead of carbohydrates.
So, how can you take advantage of the Keto food trend?
Add a few exciting Ketogenic meals to your menu and label them as such. You’re dieting diners will appreciate not having to build their own meals off your menu with a dozen special requests, it will be easier on your kitchen, and you may even garner up some new business as word spreads that you’ve got Keto Diet menu options.
Let’s go over Keto Diet do’s and don’ts before we share a few Keto Diet menu ideas.
Foods to include on a Keto diet menu:
- Healthy fats – Avocado, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Nuts
- Leafy greens – Spinach, Kale, Seaweed, Lettuces
- Vegetables – Asparagus, Zucchini, Cauliflower
- Meat – Fish, Beef, Eggs
- Dairy – Cheese, Heavy Cream, Butter
Foods to exclude on a Keto diet menu:
- Tubers – All varieties including Potato, Yams, Sweet Potato
- Grains – All varieties including Wheat, Rice, Corn
- Sugar – Corn Syrup, Maple Syrup, Honey
- Fruit – Apricot, Peach, Cherry, Pear
Now that you know the Keto ingredients to focus on, you can start planning your new menu items. Keep in mind that a Keto dieter’s calorie breakdown should be 70% healthy fat, 25% protein, and 5% carbohydrates. Check out a few of our favorite Keto meal ideas below.
Keto Diet Menu Ideas
- Creamy Chicken with Cauliflower Mash and Sautéed Spinach
- Grilled Steak Salad with Avocado, Pine Nuts, and Blue Cheese
- Buffalo Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
- Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
- Baked Cheese Taco Shells with Chicken, Beef, or Pork
- Pan-Seared Halibut with Avocado Salsa
If you’d like help coming up with Keto Diet menu ideas that go with your restaurant’s style of food, contact us at McDonald Wholesale. Our menu specialists would be happy to help you determine the best options to help your restaurant take advantage of this popular food trend.