With most fast food restaurants, trying to find good South Beach Diet Phase 1 options can be extremely challenging. McDonald's, likely the most popular fast food franchise in American history, is no exception. But that doesn't mean there are no options at all.

The food choices for Phase 1, as with other fast food restaurants, are salads. The sandwiches all come on buns made of white bread and items such as french fries, breaded chicken or sugary drinks and thick shakes are all no-nos on any phase of this diet.

Here are the food and drink options available at most McDonald's restaurants:

Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken--Mixed greens topped with grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, jack and cheddar cheeses, shaved carrots, and crumbled bacon. Your best bet is to take off the shredded carrots and use a low-carb dressing such as Newman's Own Ranch, Caesar or Balsamic Vinaigrette. Some of the other available "low fat" dressing have more added sugar.

Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken--Mixed greens are topped with grape tomatoes, shaved carrots, Parmesan cheese and grilled chicken. Again, take off the shredded carrots and then use the Caesar dressing for this one, which is very low in carbs.

McDonald's also serves a Southwest salad with grilled chicken, but there are too many unfriendly Phase 1 ingredients on this salad, such as cilantro lime glaze, tortilla strips, and a vegetable blend that contains corn.

For beverages, your choices are 1% lowfat milk, Diet Coke, or coffee (regular or decaf). Bottled water was not on the website menu, but I believe that most McDonald's restaurants do carry it. If not, you can always ask for a cup of water.