10 Low Carb Snacks
Sometimes, constantly reaching into a bag of chips or Twinkies can be difficult to stop. These snacks are cheap, readily prepared, and just so indulging, However, they also come with numerous calories, unhealthy carbohydrates, and fat. Just one cup of potato chips contains 200 calories. And due to their low nutrient density, it is not likely one bag will keep you full for very long.
When planning snacks in between meals, it is important to include healthy snacks. Avoiding snacks with high carbohydrates can also be helpful for weight maintenance, diabetes, and individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome.
This article will highlight some healthy, low calorie, low carbohydrate snacks that can easily be incorporated into the diet.
Snack #1: Hard Boiled Egg
Hard boiled eggs are a great snack that can easily be incorporated into the diet. Not only are hard boiled eggs free of carbohydrates, they are high in protein. One hard-boiled egg contains just 60 calories. Moreover, this will provide you with 5.5 grams of protein. Its high protein content will help keep you full, making this a great go-to snack.
In addition, making hard boiled eggs and storing them is incredibly easy. They can also be paired with avocado to incorporate fiber and healthy fats into the diet. This will keep the snack at a low calorie and low carbohydrate amount.
Snack #2: Pecans
Pecans are a great snack. In general, nuts are fairly low carbohydrate and filled with healthy fats; however, consuming too much mindlessly can cause the carbohydrate amount to add up. For instance, pecans have a higher calorie content, so should be consumed with caution. Pecans are one of the lower carbohydrate nuts. In a half cup of pecans, there are 7.5 grams of carbohydrates; however, 5 of those grams come from fiber.
A great thing about nuts as snacks is that no preparation is required, and they can also be incorporated into meals as well. For instance, throw some pecans into a salad, or pair with a low carbohydrate vegetable or fruit.
Snack #3: String Cheese
String cheese may remind us of our middle school days; however, the snack is very low in carbohydrates. In addition, it’s portable, fun to eat, and packed with the muscle-building duo of protein and calcium. In addition, one cheese stick contains 1 gram of carbohydrate. Moreover, this one string cheese contains a little less than 7 grams of protein, making it a great filling snack.
Mozzarella string cheese is lower in calories than its sharp cheddar counterpart. Thus, opting for mozzarella over sharp cheddar may be the best bet.
Snack #4: Celery
Celery is a great low carbohydrate snack that is low in calories in addition to being vitamin rich. One cup of chopped celery yields just 16 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates, and 1.6 grams of fiber. This means 50% of the vegetable’s carbs are from fiber. It is also important to note that only 45% of the population consumes the recommended amount of fiber. Thus, incorporating it into the diet as often as possible is very important.
Celery is also great because it can be paired with numerous spreads to add flavor. Celery and peanut butter is a very popular option, as is celery and hummus. Regardless of the pairing, either spread will keep the snack at a low carbohydrate amount.
Snack #5: Strawberries
Berries tend to be low carbohydrate, and strawberries have one of the lowest carbohydrate contents in the berry family. In one cup of strawberries there are roughly 8 grams of carbs, cut that into a half cup and you’ll be able to narrow it down to just 4 grams and still be able to enjoy its great taste as well as reap the benefits of its numerous vitamins and minerals.
Strawberries are great because they can be easily incorporated into the diet. In addition, the fruit is high in vitamin C, folate, manganese, potassium, and fiber. Its vitamin C content is especially impressive. In just a ½ cup of strawberries, one can fulfill 80% of the daily value of the vitamin.
Snack #6: Blackberries
Another berry makes the list! One ½ cup of blackberries contains a net of 4 grams of carbs. This is 15% of the daily requirement. Most people do not get enough fiber in their diets.
Blackberries are rich in fiber. Fiber has two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is the form of fiber that is believed to decrease cholesterol levels and maintain blood sugar levels. In addition, it slows the absorption of food. Thus, it will keep you feeling full for longer. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. Instead it adds bulk to stools and allows for stools to pass freely through the digestive tract.
Snack #7: Turkey Roll Ups
Sandwiches are great, they are filling, easy to make, and you can throw in your favorite cheeses, deli meats, and veggies. Unfortunately, sandwiches can come at a high carbohydrate count. In a turkey roll up, you can skip the bread, and roll up turkey in some lettuce or spinach. This snack has only about 3.7 grams of carbohydrates, and will keep you satisfied.
In addition, you can easily substitute the turkey for salami, or chicken. Want to add some fat? Add hummus or avocado. You can also add bell peppers as a vegetable. All additional ingredients are low in carbohydrates. Just be wary of calorie intake. This is a snack not a meal!
Snack #8: Edamame
Edamame is also a great low carbohydrate snack. Also called steamed soybeans, edamame taste great, are full of fiber and protein, and have just 6.9 grams of carbs in a half cup of shelled edamame. They’re easy to cook in your microwave, so keep a bag in your freezer.
In addition, they can also be easily incorporated into meals as well if you want to reap the benefits of this low calorie, high fiber food! Making a salad? Throw in edamame. Or throw some into a soup, a rice bowl, or simply as a side with a chicken dinner.
Snack #9: Zucchini Topped with Mozzarella
Zucchinis are part of the summer squash family and, in comparison to winter squash, zucchini is very low in carbohydrates. One cup of raw zucchini contains 4 grams of carbohydrates, 1 of which comes from fiber. Top zucchini with a sprinkle of mozzarella for a tad of flavor. Or throw olive oil in a pan and roast some zucchini—it makes a great snack.
In addition to its low carbohydrate amount, zucchinis are high in vitamin C. Just one cup provides 35% of the recommended amount of vitamin C. In addition, due to its fiber content, it can help you feel full for longer and prevent those urges to mindlessly snack in between meals. Moreover, fiber helps with constipation, lowers cholesterol, and fights diabetes. All these benefits make zucchini a powerhouse!
Snack #10: Raw Bell Peppers and Hummus
Bell peppers are a great vegetable that are also low in carbohydrates. One cup of chopped red bell pepper contains 9 grams of carbohydrates. Three of which come from fiber. Green bell peppers are even lower in carbohydrates. One cup of green bell pepper yields 7 grams, with 2.5 coming from fiber. Add hummus as a side to add some flavor. Hummus is also low in carbohydrates and rich in numerous vitamins and minerals.
Bell peppers have been linked to reducing inflammation in the body, decreasing cancer risk, and fighting off high cholesterol levels. This effect is believed to be connected to its high vitamin A content—just one cup gives 93% of the RDA, and 317% of the RDA for vitamin C. Thus, not only is it low carb, low calorie, it also has a very well-rounded nutrient profile.
