I love McDonald’s iced coffee. It’s just the perfect way to start my day or perk up my afternoon. However, I recently started a keto diet, and I began to wonder if my beloved iced coffee was still keto-friendly. After all, the keto diet is all about low-carb, high-fat foods, and McDonald’s isn’t exactly known for its low-carb options. So, I decided to do some research and find out if I could still enjoy my favorite iced coffee while sticking to my keto lifestyle.
What is the Keto Diet?
Before we dive into the question of whether McDonald’s iced coffee is keto-friendly, let’s talk a little bit about the keto diet itself. The ketogenic diet, or keto diet for short, is a low-carb, high-fat diet that has gained popularity in recent years. The main goal of the keto diet is to put your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, your body becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. This is achieved by drastically reducing your carbohydrate intake and increasing your fat intake.
Carbohydrates and the Keto Diet
Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy for our bodies. However, when you’re on a keto diet, you need to limit your carbohydrate intake to a very low level. Typically, people on the keto diet aim to consume less than 50 grams of net carbs per day. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the grams of fiber from the total grams of carbohydrates. By keeping your carb intake low, you force your body to burn fat for fuel instead.
Can You Have Dairy on a Keto Diet?
One of the main ingredients in McDonald’s iced coffee is dairy, usually in the form of milk or cream. Dairy can be a controversial topic when it comes to the keto diet. While dairy is a good source of fat, it can also contain carbs, especially milk. However, the good news is that McDonald’s offers options for customization, which means you can choose the type of milk or cream you want in your iced coffee.
McDonald’s Iced Coffee and the Keto Diet
So, let’s get to the heart of the matter: is McDonald’s iced coffee keto-friendly? The answer, as with many things on the keto diet, is that it depends on how you order it.
Choosing the Right Base
When ordering your McDonald’s iced coffee, you have a few options for the base. You can choose between regular brewed coffee or espresso. Both options are naturally low in carbs and won’t significantly impact your ketosis. However, if you choose the flavored iced coffee options, such as caramel or vanilla, be aware that these may contain added sugars, which can increase the carb count.
Customizing Your Milk or Cream
The next step in making your McDonald’s iced coffee keto-friendly is to choose the right milk or cream. McDonald’s offers whole milk, half-and-half, and heavy cream as options. Whole milk contains the highest amount of carbs, while half-and-half has fewer carbs but still contains some. The best choice for a keto-friendly iced coffee is heavy cream. Heavy cream is high in fat and low in carbs, making it the perfect addition to your iced coffee while on the keto diet.
Sweeteners and Syrups
Now, let’s talk about sweeteners and syrups. McDonald’s offers a variety of sweeteners and syrups to add flavor to your iced coffee. Unfortunately, most of these options contain added sugars and are not suitable for a keto diet. However, you can still enjoy a hint of sweetness by adding your own keto-friendly sweetener. Stevia, erythritol, and monk fruit are popular natural sweeteners that won’t spike your blood sugar or kick you out of ketosis. Just be mindful of the quantity you use to keep your overall carb intake in check.
Blended or On the Rocks?
Another consideration when it comes to McDonald’s iced coffee is whether you want it blended or on the rocks. While blended iced coffees can be a refreshing treat, they often come with a higher carb count due to the addition of ice cream or sugary syrups. If you’re trying to stay keto, it’s best to stick with iced coffee on the rocks. This way, you can control the ingredients and keep your carb intake low.
Conclusion
In conclusion, McDonald’s iced coffee can be keto-friendly if you make the right choices. Opt for regular brewed coffee or espresso as the base, choose heavy cream as your milk or cream option, and add your own keto-friendly sweeteners if desired. Remember to avoid flavored options that may contain added sugars, as well as blended versions that can have higher carb counts. With a little customization, you can still enjoy your favorite McDonald’s iced coffee while staying true to your keto lifestyle. Cheers to that!