Low carb snacks – the best and the worst
, medical review by Dr. Bret Scher, MD
Evidence basedWhat low carb snacks are good? There’s a simple rule: The best low carb snack is no snack.
That’s right. Snacks are usually not needed on low carb, as hunger should be reduced when doing it right.
That said, we know that everyone wants a snack once in a while. So here are some great options and a few common mistakes to avoid.
Key takeaways
No prep required: Nuts and cheese are great low carb snacks, but easy to overdo. Enjoy them, but watch portion sizes.See all easy options.
Are you a choco-holic? No worries. Although chocolate is not low carb, you don’t have to live without it on a low carb diet.
What’s the secret?
Snacking eggcellence: View our recipes for eggs and other tasty homemade snacks!
21 low carb solutions.
No preparation needed
The numbers are net carbs (total carbs minus fiber carbs) in 100 grams (3.5 ounces.)
Eggs are a great low carb option.
Nuts are a low carb snack favorite. But be careful as the carbs quickly add up, especially if you eat cashews. Choose lower-carb macadamia, Brazil or pecan nuts instead. Low carb nuts guide
Here is a short summary of the guide where we share the best and worst snacks to eat on a low carb diet.
Snack recipes
Are you ready to do some preparations for an awesome low carb snack? Check out our fantastic low carb snack recipes, like these top choices:
Top 6
Vegetable sticks and dip
Vegetable sticks are relatively low carb, except for carrots, which are slightly higher. Low carb vegetables guide
Dip: Add cream cheese or any low carb and high-fat dip sauce.
Here are our top recipes:
Top 6
Berries and cream
Heavy whipping cream – forget low-fat fake cream. Get real heavy whipping cream, ideally at 40 percent fat and definitely unsweetened (the natural sweetness is quite enough once you get used to it). Whip and have it with your berries. Note that this is absolutely delicious and easy to over-consume, which may slow down weight loss. So try to not overdo it.
Cottage cheese- If you’re looking for a higher protein snack, consider adding cottage cheese to your berries for a delicious and higher satiety approach.
Recipes
Chocolate
Digestible carbs per 100 grams (3½ ounces)
- One small thin square (10 grams or less than half an ounce) of 86 percent chocolate contains about 2 grams of carbs.
- Switch to 70% chocolate and you get about 3.5 grams per square.
- Regular chocolate can be 6 grams of carbs or more per square – not an option if you want to stay low carb.
More options
Beef jerky: Note that almost all available commercial options have added sugar, which is why a normal carb count is 9 grams per 100 grams (3½ ounces). We recommend you look for brands with no added sugar, or make your own.
Chips recipes
Common mistakes on low carb
Sweet things – caution recommended
While the sweet recipes below are low carb, they are also very rewarding and tempting.
However, these low carb recipes are still likely better for your weight and health than high-carb versions of similar recipes.
