From hotels to fast food chains to convenience foods, living the low-carb way of life on the go is getting easier all the time. Here's the latest:
- Hardee's and Carl's Jr. chains are launching a bun-less, lettuce-wrapped burger with fewer carbohydrates than their regular fare. At Hardee's, you can get a low-carb Thickburger -- a 1/3 pound charbroiled patty -- made with Angus beef. It contains five grams of carbs.
- Subway Restaurants now offer two Atkins-endorsed menu items: the Turkey and Bacon Melt Wrap, with Monterey cheddar cheese, and the Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap, with Swiss cheese. Both Atkins-Friendly Wraps have 11 grams net carbs or less each.
- Ruby Tuesday has also become Atkins-friendly, introducing a "Smart Eating Initiative". The new menu includes low-carb choices, such as pork rinds and mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes.
- Wandering around my local Wal-Mart Supercenter recently, I discovered a new special section of shelves devoted to low-carb staples. The section -- which is separate from the regular grocery aisles -- includes everything from tuna to Atkins bars to almonds to low-carb diet books.
- Holiday Inns across the nation are planning a "Low-Carb Inspirations" breakfast menu, which will include a South of the Border skillet with eight grams of carbohydrates and a Complete Omelet with seven carb grams.
- 7-Eleven started a "Better Choices, Better Year" awareness program earlier this year with Atkins controlled-carb products and other low-carb items being grouped together in a single section of the store. Offerings include low-carb bread, soy chips, a meat and cheese snack cup, and low-carb chocolate bars.
