Finding low-carb snacks can be tricky. Here are a few to keep on hand.
Finding low-carb snacks can be tricky. Here are a few to keep on hand.
Anyone on a low-carb diet knows how hard it can be to find snacks. From granola bars and crackers to chips, cereal, cookies, and even bananas, the majority of prepackaged and even some natural snacks are high in carbs, calories, and sugars. While snacks can be part of a low-carb diet, the key is to choose the right ones.
Keep the following snacks on hand so you’re not tempted to stop by the vending machine at work or raid the cabinets at home and ruin your diet.
Cheese and Apples
Satisfy your cravings for a sweet and salty snack with cheese stick and apple slices. The fats in cheese paired with the protein and fiber in the apples provide a filling and energizing snack that packs only 10 carbs. Other low-carb fruit options include berries, peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon.
Eggs
At the beginning of each week, hard-boil a bunch of eggs to keep in the refrigerator. Sprinkle on a little salt or hot sauce for an easy and satisfying snack that’s rich in protein and extremely low in carbs. One egg contains less than a single gram of carbs!
Deli Turkey Roll-Ups
Skip the bread or tortilla and make your own snack wrap with lettuce leaves, deli turkey slices, and a dollop of mustard. A snack like this will give you the energy to make it until dinner, cost only you 3 grams of carbs, and be filled to the brim with flavor.
Nuts
Packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, nuts can be a healthy, low-carb snack. The trick is to choose the right variety and eat them in moderation. Nuts with the lowest carb count include pecans, macadamias, and Brazil nuts, all which have fewer than 5 grams of carbs per ounce. Walnuts, almonds, and peanuts contain more carbs (7 to 10 grams), but the nuts you will want to avoid are pistachios and cashews, which have more than 20 grams of carbs in a single handful.
Celery and Peanut Butter
It may seem like a snack for kids, but adults can enjoy celery sticks with peanut butter, too. Two tablespoons of all-natural peanut butter spread on two celery stalks contain fewer than 10 grams of carbohydrates.
Kale Chips
Craving some salty, crunchy potato chips? Then try some kale chips. For less than 10 grams of carbs, you can make this simple snack at home. Rinse and dry a few kale leaves, toss them with a little oil and salt, put them on a baking sheet in the oven at 300 degrees for 25 minutes or until crispy, and enjoy!
Veggie Sticks and Dip
Cucumber, celery, and bell pepper sticks all make great dipping tools. Carrots are popular veggie sticks, but contain a few more carbs. Look for low-carb veggie dips like hummus, Ranch, pimento cheese, sour cream, or spinach dip and enjoy a healthy and satisfying snack that contains fewer than 20 carbs.
Jerky
If you’re craving a low-carb snack that’s salty and savory, look no further than beef, pork, chicken, or bison jerky. High in protein and low in carbs, jerky can be part of a healthy diet if eaten in moderation.
The trick is to be picky about what jerky you purchase. Many low-quality jerkies are on the market that are filled with extreme amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added nitrates, and MSG. To be on the safe side, look for brands made with grass-fed, hormone-free, organic beef.
