Best Low Carb Snacks
Low carb diets are more than a trend; they have scientifically been proven to offer various benefits, including weight loss, low cholesterol, improved blood sugar control, and increased insulin sensitivity. Learn about some Low carb snacks below!
Snacking is traditionally associated with foods rich in carbohydrates, especially refined ones. Even the seemingly “healthy” ones, such as crackers and granola bars, are full of them. But that’s not to say it’s impossible to get a healthy low-carb snack to push through before your next meal.
This article discusses various low-carb snacks that you can choose from.
1. Homemade trail mix
A trail mix is a snack mix often containing nuts, seeds, raisins, dried fruit, and sometimes candy, all of which are high in calories. However, you can make your own healthy version of trail mix
Besides, trail mix is a great way to get your daily dose of fiber, protein and healthy fats. It’s also a great way to make sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals.
If you’re looking for low carb trail mix that’s delicious and nutritious, you can make your own using ingredients from your pantry. Here are four easy recipes to get you started…
Low Carb Trail Mix with Seeds and Nuts:
This mix includes seeds, nuts, and dried fruit. You can mix and match different flavors to create your own unique trail mix. For example, you could use pumpkin seeds for a pumpkin spice flavor, or sunflower seeds for a honey-nut flavor. Add some dark chocolate chips for added sweetness, or some shredded coconut for extra flavor.
Low Carb Trail Mix with Grains:
This mix can include quinoa, oats, and other grains. You can easily customize this mix by adding different spices and flavors. For example, add pumpkin spice to the oats for a fall-inspired flavor, or add cinnamon to the quinoa for a warming flavor. Add chopped fresh fruit for added sweetness and crunch, or slivered almonds for additional healthy fats and protein.
Low Carb Trail Mix with Dried Fruits:
This mix includes dried fruits like figs, apricots, and raisins. Add these to your trail mix before you eat it. You can also add chopped nuts for added protein and healthy fats, or some shredded coconut for added flavor. Once again, be creative with your ingredients and enjoy!
Ready to make your own low carb trail mix? This quick and easy recipe is perfect for packing in your bag or taking with you on the go. Not only is it low carb, but it’s also high in fiber and antioxidants, which makes it a great snack option when you’re trying to stay healthy on the go. Give this recipe a try today!
2. Sweet bell peppers and guacamole
Bell peppers are not necessarily sweet, but neither are they hot.
They come in a variety of colors, including green, orange, yellow, and red. Each bell pepper color offers a different flavor.
Green bell peppers are more vegetal and bitter; yellow and orange are sweeter than green, while red bell peppers are the sweetest.
Sweet bell peppers are generally low in calories, with half a cup containing 3 grams of carbohydrates.
They contain high levels of vitamin C, with a medium-sized red bell pepper providing 253 percent of your daily requirements. That’s almost three times what the body needs.
Bell peppers are also rich in vitamin A and other nutrients, including fiber, folate, vitamin K, and thiamine.
On the other hand, avocado is so feeling and refreshing with lots of nutrients, including healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
To make your guacamole, mash the avocado in a bowl and mix with diced onion, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, and seasoning. Use it as a low-carb dip for your bell pepper slices.
3. Kale chips
Kale is a cruciferous vegetable high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin A, C, and K, folate, potassium, copper, and manganese.
Unlike potato chips, kale chips retain all their nutrients during preparation, making for a healthy, low-carb snack.
Reap kale leaves from the stem and chop them into bite-size pieces.
Into a medium-sized bowl, add olive oil, garlic powder, and salt, and mix. Add the kale leaves and toss or mix until all the leaves are well coated.
Arrange the kale on a baking tray lined with a parchment sheet
Bake at a temperature of 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until the ages are brown. Be careful not to burn them.
Allow them to cool and enjoy. See Air Fryer Kale Chips.
4. Cinnamon toasted pumpkin seeds
One ounce of pumpkin seeds contains 5 grams of carbohydrates. They are also rich in other nutrients such as protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and copper.
Additionally, pumpkin seeds are a great source of fiber, meaning even as a snack, they can promote satisfaction and hold down your hunger levels for a reasonable amount of time.
Simply combine half a cup of pumpkin seeds with two tablespoons of olive oil and half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Spread them on a baking sheet and let them bake for 45 minutes until golden brown at a temperature of 300°F.
5. Green smoothies
Green smoothies are one of the most popular ways to incorporate fruits, vegetables, and other healthy ingredients into your diet, which is a good thing because green smoothies can act as a quick low calorie snack to give you the needed push.
Green smoothies are a typical morning drink for many but can also make for a great mid-morning snack.
Green smoothies basically contain leafy greens like spinach and fruit, but more can go into green smoothies depending on preference.
These smoothies are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients. These nutrients help to protect against disease, improve your overall health, and give you energy throughout the day.
Green smoothies are also a great way to lose weight. Many people who try them find that they lost weight without having to change their diet too much. They simply added green smoothies to their routine and saw results.
Try my Green Detox Smoothie and make the recipe your own with your favorite additions. To lower the number of carbs, use berries, milk, and a sweetener.
6. Vegetable sticks with hummus
Vegetable sticks such as carrots or celery can make an excellent snack when paired with hummus.
Hummus is a spread, a dip, or a savory dish made from cooked and mashed garbanzo beans (chickpeas) blended with lemon juice, garlic, tahini, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
Hummus is not only filling but pretty low in calories, with half a cup of hummus (123g) containing 25 grams of carbohydrates.
Hummus is also high in fiber and other nutrients, including protein, minerals like calcium, sodium, manganese, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc, and B vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B9, vitamins C, E, and K.
Find your new favorite hummus recipe here!
7. Roasted chickpeas
Garbanzo beans have been consumed worldwide for centuries, especially in the Middle East, Mediterranean, India, and Africa. They are one of the oldest foods for humans, and for a good reason. Garbanzo beans are generally high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which has been shown to promote digestive health.
They may also lower cholesterol, promote heart health, and are great for diabetes since they are very low on the glycemic index.
While most people are used to hummus, there are many ways to eat chickpeas, and one of them is by roasting.
Roasted garbanzo beans can be eaten as a snack or added to salads or soups instead of croutons.
Simply soak your chickpeas overnight or until they have plumped up. Dry them out on a kitchen towel, then toss them in a bowl containing olive oil and a generous amount of salt, and any other seasoning of choice, such as pepper or curry. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until nicely crisped.
Also, try out my Roasted Edamame and Chickpea recipe for the perfect burst of flavor in your snack.
8. Strawberry smoothie
Strawberry smoothie is a delicious and easy low-carb snack. All you need is a blender, some strawberries, and your favorite low-carb yogurt or ice cream. Simply blend together the strawberries, yogurt, and ice cream until smooth. Enjoy as-is or top with your favorite low-carb snacks like nuts, seeds, or granola.
Besides being a low-carb snack, strawberry smoothie may offer numerous health benefits including
- High antioxidant nutrients can help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals.
- A good source of dietary fiber, which can help regulate your blood sugar levels and lower your risk of heart disease.
- High vitamin C content which can help improve your immune system and fight against infection.
- An incredible source of potassium, which is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and preventing heart disease.
- Strawberries are a good source of magnesium, which can help to improve your cognitive function and reduce stress symptoms.
- Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy vision and skin health.
- Flavonoids, have anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
9. Plant Yogurt And Nuts
Nuts and plant yogurt are nutritious snacks that can help you stay on track with your daily diet.
One of the most important benefits is that they are a good source of healthy fats. These fats can help improve your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. They also provide essential nutrients, including vitamins B6 and E, potassium, and magnesium.
This snack is also a good source of protein essential for building and maintaining muscle mass, which can help you lose fat and maintain a healthy weight.
In addition, these two are good sources of calcium, which is essential for building strong and healthy teeth and bones.
10. Steamed Edamame
Another healthy and low-calorie snack to eat is steamed edamame.
Edamame, also called soybeans in the pod, are young soybeans that have been harvested while still green and boiled or steamed until they’re tender. These nutritious beans are packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them an excellent addition to your meals and snacks!
Edamame is a healthy snack option because it’s low in calories but high in fiber. Fiber is important for regulating digestion and preventing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Fiber also helps keep you feeling full after eating, which can help you avoid overeating and weight gain.
Edamame is also a good source of protein. In fact, edamame contains all the nine essential amino acids needed in the body. Protein helps build and maintain muscles, fights against infection, and helps maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Additionally, edamame is also a good source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, as well as essential minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Some studies have found that edamame can help improve cholesterol levels and help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Final thoughts on the best low-carb snacks:
Most of the time, snacking may be inevitable, especially when you don’t get enough during your main meal.
However, if you are on a low-carb diet or generally want to eat healthily, you may want to look into your snack time. That’s when you are likely to overindulge in carbs without even knowing it.
And that shouldn’t be a problem anymore since there are healthy options that will allow you to eat with ease and without worrying about excessive carbohydrate intake.
Some of the best low-carb snack options include homemade trail mixes, sweet bell peppers, roasted garbanzo beans, vegetable sticks with hummus, green smoothies, kale chips, and cinnamon-toasted pumpkin seeds.
Other related articles:
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- 6 Best Sleep Inducing Teas To Drink At Bedtime
- How Much Fiber Per Day?
- The Best Diet for Weight Loss
- Foods That Detox Your Body
- 7 Foods You Must Never Eat
- Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting
- How To Boost Cortisol Levels Naturally?
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The Best low carb snacks is so delicious and important for our health
All the low carb snacks are looking delicious and healthy which I can’t wait to prepare right away.