Many people follow a low-carb diet because of the impressive health benefits associated with this way of eating.
For example, low-carb diets may promote weight loss, as well as improve blood sugar control and HDL (good) cholesterol (Trusted Source).
However, finding low-carb snacks can be difficult, as many common snack foods are high in this nutrient.
Still, you can easily prepare tasty and creative snacks that fit your low-carb lifestyle.
Here are 27 easy low-carb snacks that are both delicious and nutritious.
1. Olive tapenade with low-carb crackers
Olive tapenade consists of chopped olives, capers, and olive oil.
Olives are an excellent low-carb source of vitamin E, which functions as a powerful antioxidant in your body, protecting cells against damage caused by reactive molecules called free radicals (Trusted Source).
You can easily make olive tapenade at home by combining chopped olives, capers, garlic, and olive oil. Pair it with a low-carb cracker — like those made from almond flour — for a crunchy low-carb snack.
2. Homemade trail mix
Trail mix often contains high-carb ingredients like raisins, candy, and dried fruit.
However, you can make a low-carb version by combining a variety of nuts and seeds, along with other low-carb ingredients like unsweetened coconut. For an easy trail mix recipe, combine the following:
- 1 cup (112 grams) of pecan halves
- 1 cup (112 grams) of chopped
walnuts - 1/2 cup (30 grams) of roasted
pumpkin seeds - 1/2 cup (43
grams) of unsweetened coconut flakes
3. Cheddar cheese crisps
Cheddar cheese is a versatile low-carb snack containing less than 1 gram of carbs per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving.
For a delicious crispy alternative, try homemade cheddar cheese crisps.
Cut thin slices of cheddar cheese into small, individual squares. Place the squares on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 30 minutes, or until crisp.
4. Deviled eggs
One large egg has less than one gram of carbs.
Eggs are also rich in vitamin B12 and choline, which are essential nutrients for brain health (Trusted Source).
To make deviled eggs, slice hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop out the egg yolks and combine with mayonnaise, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Then, place a spoonful of the egg yolk mixture back into the egg white and top with a dash of paprika.
5. Tuna salad lettuce wraps
Three ounces (85 grams) of canned tuna contains no carbs and nearly 20 grams of protein.
To make tuna salad, combine a 3-ounce (85-gram) can of tuna with 1/4 cup (55 grams) of mayonnaise and 1/4 cup (25 grams) of diced celery. Season the mix with salt and pepper to taste.
For a low-carb wrap option, spoon tuna salad into a butter lettuce leaf.
6. Berries and whipped cream
Berries are not only highly nutritious but also a low-carb fruit choice. For example, blueberries provide just 11 grams of carbs in 1/2 cup (74 grams).
For a delicious, low-carb snack, combine 1/2 cup (74 grams) of blueberries with 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream.
7. Stuffed avocado
One medium avocado has 12 grams of carbs. However, 9 grams of these carbs are derived from fiber, an indigestible nutrient that your body doesn’t absorb, making avocado an excellent option for low-carb diets.
To make a stuffed avocado, slice it in half and remove the pit. Then, spoon your desired low-carb stuffing into the center of the avocado.
Try filling avocado with tuna salad, chopped shrimp, or scrambled eggs and cheese.
8. Dark chocolate with cashew butter
Dark chocolate is a perfect low-carb snack when you crave something sweet. One ounce (28 grams) of at least 70% dark chocolate provides 12 grams of carbs and 9 grams of fiber.
Try pairing 1 ounce (28 grams) of dark chocolate with 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of cashew butter for an additional source of protein and fat.
Be sure to select at least 70% dark chocolate, as lower percentages may have more carbs per serving.
9. Carrot sticks with homemade aioli
Carrots contain fewer carbs than you may think, with 10 baby carrots providing just 8 grams.
For a tasty snack, pair baby carrots with a low-carb dip, like homemade aioli.
To make aioli, mix 1/4 cup (55 grams) of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lemon juice, and 1 minced clove of garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Low-carb strawberry smoothie
You can easily make a low-carb smoothie with the right ingredients.
For example, strawberries are a delicious low-carb fruit. One-half cup (83 grams) of sliced strawberries provides just 6 grams of carbs. To make a low-carb strawberry smoothie, blend the following together:
- 1 cup (240 ml)
of unsweetened almond milk - 1/2 cup (83 grams) of fresh
strawberries - 1/4 cup (24 grams) of a low-carb protein powder
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of chia
seeds - 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- a few ice cubes
11. BLT lettuce wrap
BLT sandwiches are a popular lunch meal typically high in carbs. However, you can easily make a low-carb BLT wrap for a delicious snack.
Place three slices of tomato and two slices of bacon into a large romaine lettuce leaf. For additional flavor and mouthfeel, add a few slices of avocado and a small handful of shredded cheese.
12. Sweet bell peppers and guacamole
Though their name may imply a high sugar, and thus high carb, content, sweet bell peppers are a low-carb vegetable providing just 3 grams of this nutrient in 1/2 cup (46 grams).
They’re also rich in vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for your heart, immune system, and skin. In fact, one green bell pepper provides more vitamin C than an orange (Trusted Source).
Make a quick low-carb guacamole dip for your bell pepper slices by mashing avocado, onion, garlic, lime juice, and salt together in a bowl.
13. Kale chips
Kale is a popular low-carb veggie that is packed with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate. One cup (21 grams) of kale contains less than 1 gram of carbs.
If you aren’t a fan of raw or sautéed kale, try snacking on kale chips.
14. Fresh veggies with tzatziki dip
Tzatziki is a Greek sauce made from plain yogurt, garlic, and cucumbers. Fresh herbs like dill and parsley are often added as well.
Two tablespoons (30 grams) of tzatziki dip provide only 2 grams of carbs, making it an excellent low-carb choice.
Pair the dip with fresh, low-carb veggies like broccoli, celery sticks, or baby carrots.
15. Carrot sticks and peanut butter
Dipping carrot sticks into creamy peanut butter is a surprisingly delicious low-carb snack.
A 1/2-cup (61-gram) serving of carrot sticks with 2 tablespoons (35 grams) of peanut butter only provides 13 grams of total carbs.
Many peanut butter brands contain added sugar, so it’s best to choose a natural variety made only of peanuts and a little salt.
16. Low-carb bento box
A bento box is a compartmentalized container that can hold many different food items.
To make your own low-carb bento box, fill it with a variety of low-carb snack items, such as:
- Protein: cottage cheese,
hard-boiled eggs, grilled chicken, cheese squares - Nuts: almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts
- Fresh veggies: celery sticks,
sliced cucumber, bell pepper slices, broccoli - Low-carb fruits: berries,
cantaloupe, avocado slices, olives
17. Cinnamon toasted pumpkin seeds
One-fourth cup (16 grams) of pumpkin seeds contains 9 grams of carbs and 3 grams of fiber.
What’s more, pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, an essential mineral needed for optimal immune health and metabolism (Trusted Source).
To make toasted pumpkin seeds, combine 1/2 cup (32 grams) of pumpkin seeds with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of olive oil. Spread the seeds onto a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.
18. Savory cottage cheese
One-half cup (113 grams) of cottage cheese has 5 grams of carbs and 12 grams of protein. It’s also rich in bone-building minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
Though fruit is a common addition to cottage cheese, you can also make it savory and lower in carbs by adding avocado slices or cherry tomatoes, chopped green onions, and hot sauce.
19. Steamed edamame
Edamame are green, unripe soybeans that are packed with nutrition. A 1/2-cup (78-gram) serving of edamame contains just 7 grams of carbs and more than 9 grams of plant-based protein.
For a simple low-carb snack, toss raw shelled edamame into a bowl with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water. Cover with a paper towel and microwave on high for 1 minute or until tender. Season lightly with sea salt and enjoy.
20. Plain yogurt with nuts
Traditional flavored yogurt is often high in added sugar. Selecting unsweetened plain yogurt eliminates all of the added sugar, which minimizes the carb content.
For example, a 6-ounce (170-gram) serving of plain, unsweetened, whole-milk yogurt contains just 8 grams of carbs.
To keep it a low-carb snack, pair plain yogurt with a handful of nuts. Boost the flavor by adding a dash of cinnamon, a small amount of vanilla extract, or a natural, zero-carb sweetener like Stevia.
21. Avocado egg salad
Use a mashed avocado in place of mayonnaise for a unique spin on egg salad.
To make avocado egg salad, simply mash 1/2 avocado with 1 hard-boiled egg and season lightly with salt and pepper. Enjoy avocado egg salad by itself, spread onto low-carb crackers, or scooped into a lettuce wrap.
22. String cheese
String cheese is an easy and portable low-carb snack. One ounce (28 grams) of mozzarella string cheese provides less than 1 gram of carbs but 6 grams of protein.
Cheese is also a great source of calcium, which is an essential mineral needed for bone health, muscle function, and your nervous system (Trusted Source).
23. Apricots stuffed with blue cheese
Unlike dried and canned varieties, which tend to be high in sugar and carbs, fresh apricots are low in carbs, with one fruit (35 grams) containing only 4 grams.
To make a stuffed apricot, cut the fruit in half and remove the pit. Mix 1/4 cup (34 grams) of blue cheese crumbles with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil. Spoon the mixture into the center of each apricot half. Broil on a cooking sheet for 1–2 minutes until toasted.
24. Smoked salmon cucumber bites
Salmon is an excellent, low-carb source of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These healthy fats have been linked to many benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved heart health (Trusted Source).
For a tasty and nutritious low-carb snack, spread plain cream cheese on cucumber slices, then fold strips of smoked salmon on the slices and top with fresh cracked pepper.
25. Seaweed sheets
Dried seaweed sheets are a crunchy, portable, low-carb snack.
Seaweed is one of the best natural dietary sources of iodine, a mineral that supports thyroid health. Your thyroid gland makes essential hormones needed for metabolism, growth, and development (Trusted Source).
One seaweed sheet (5 grams) contains just 1 gram of carbs and can be enjoyed by itself or paired with avocado slices, scrambled eggs, or cut up into a salad.
26. Caprese salad
Caprese salad is a low-carb Italian dish made by combining mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil leaves, and olive oil.
To make a small caprese salad, combine 1/2 cup (122 grams) of cherry tomatoes, 1 ounce (28 grams) of bite-sized mozzarella balls, and 1 tablespoon of chopped, fresh basil leaves. Toss together with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of extra virgin olive oil and a dash of sea salt.
Drizzle 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of balsamic vinegar over the salad for an additional boost of flavor.
27. Sardines on seed crackers
Sardines are small, oily fish that are packed with nutrients.
One can (92 grams) of sardines has zero carbs and 23 grams of protein. These fish are also an excellent source of calcium, providing 27% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for this mineral.
Try pairing sardines with low-carb chia- and flaxseed crackers for a crunchy and nutritious low-carb snack.
The bottom line
If you’re following a low-carb diet, it’s a good idea to keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand.
The low-carb snacks above offer beneficial nutrients like protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Plus, they’re delicious and can help satisfy your hunger between meals.
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