The Best Low Carb Salads at Fast Food Restaurants

If you are counting your carbs, most fast food restaurants provide low carbohydrate options on their menus. There are many salads with less than 30 g of carbs per serving for you to choose from at different restaurants. Make sure to pay attention to dressing and serving size; both can significantly increase carbohydrate intake. While most low carb diets recommend between 60 and 90 g of carbohydrates daily, dietitians and health experts recommend consuming no less than 100 g to 150 g per day. Carbohydrates fuel your body and provide energy for exercise.

McDonald's

You can eat at McDonald's and stick to a low carb plan. The Premium Southwest Salad without Chicken, the Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken and the Premium Caesar Salad with Crispy Chicken each contain 20 g of carbohydrates. The Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken and the Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken contain 12 g of carbs. The Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken contains 30 g, the Premium Bacon Ranch Salad without Chicken contains 10 g and a side salad contains 4 g of carbs. McDonald's serves Newman's Own salad dressings. Creamy Southwestern, Creamy Caesar and Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing each contain 4 g of carbs per serving. Low Fat Italian Dressing contains 8 g while Ranch Dressing contains 9 g of carbohydrates.

Subway

Subway offers many salads that contain very low amounts of carbohydrates. The Ham Salad, Subway Club Salad, Turkey Breast Salad and the Turkey Breast and Ham Salad each contain 12 g of carbohydrates. The Oven Roasted Chicken Salad, the Roast Beef Salad and the Veggie Delite Salad each contain 10 g of carbohydrates. Fat Free Italian Dressing contains 7 g while Ranch Dressing contains 3 g of carbohydrates.

Arby's

Arby's offers many different low carb salads. The Chopped Farmhouse Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken and the Chopped Farmhouse Chicken Salad with Roasted Chicken each contain 10 g of carbohydrates. The Chopped Turkey Club Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing contains 11 g and the Chopped Farmhouse Chicken Salad with Crispy Chicken contains 29 g of carbohydrates. The Italian Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing contains 15 g and the Chopped Side Salad contains 4 g of carbohydrates.

Wendy's

Eat at Wendy's and you will find a few low carb salad options. Choose the Chicken Caesar Salad (20 g), the Chicken Caesar Side Salad (14 g) or the Side Salad (11 g).

Burger King and Taco Bell

Burger King and Taco Bell offer the fewest options of low carb salads. Burger King's Tendergrill Garden Salad contains 19 g and its Side Garden Salad contains 18 g of carbohydrates. Taco Bell's Chicken Ranch Taco Salad (Fresco Style) contains 25 g and its Chipotle Steak Taco Salad (Fresco Style) contains 24 g of carbohydrates.