Snacks. They get you through the 3 o’clock slump. They help to keep you satisfied in-between meals. And if they’re healthy — they’re a great way to support your weight loss goals.
If you’re considering a low-carb diet and are wondering what kind of healthy low-carb snacks are best for weight loss — we’ve got a list of nine. Check them out!
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1. Veggies + 1 tsp. nut butter
No matter which diet you’re following — we hope it includes plenty of vegetables! Not only do veggies provide a variety of nutrients, but they’re also low in calories — making them an excellent choice to support your weight loss goals.1 Consider celery: this water-packed vegetable contains only four total carbs and one gram of fiber per 3-ounce serving.2 Pair it with a little nut butter (from almond butter to peanut butter, there’s a ton of different options) for some added protein that can help keep you feeling satisfied.3
Since nuts are calorie-dense, we suggest pairing your celery sticks with 1 teaspoon of nut butter if your goals include weight loss. This snack is perfect if you want a low-carb, gluten-free snack.
PeppersGuacamole_Photo by N K on Shutterstock
2. Bell peppers + ¼ of an avocado, mashed
Great news for bell pepper fans: Not only are they refreshing and delicious, but they’re low-carb! One medium bell pepper clocks in at six total carbs and contains over two grams of dietary fiber.4 Slice up half of a pepper, dip the pieces in an avocado mash (if you want, add a squeeze of lime juice to take it up a notch) and you’ve got one flavorful snack. If you’re curious: A quarter of an avocado has around three grams of carbs and over two grams of fiber (here’s how fiber can help with weight loss).5 Talk about a low-carb, healthy combo!
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3. One hard-boiled egg
Feel like you’re in an afternoon slump? One of the easiest low-carb, protein-packed snacks you can grab for an energy boost is a simple hard-boiled egg. (And if you’re wondering if eggs are healthy, we’re happy to report, they are.)
One large egg has only half a gram of carbs and packs over six grams of high-quality protein!6 Plus, eggs have vitamin D, various B vitamins, zinc and calcium. Just be sure to sprinkle on some ground pepper for a kick of flavor.
Pro tip: Boil your eggs ahead of time, so you always have one on hand — or, buy a bag of them pre-boiled.
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4. String cheese + olives
If you love cheese, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s an excellent healthy low-carb snack. An entire stick of string cheese only has one gram of carbs.7 To elevate a basic string cheese, pair it with some olives. They’re low in carbs, too — 10 small black olives only have two grams of carbs (and one gram of fiber!).8
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5. ¼ cup cottage cheese + blueberries
Cottage cheese might not be your first choice when it comes to a snack, but here’s some intel: It makes for a tasty, filling and low-carb snack. A quarter cup has three grams of total carbs.9 Just try to avoid any flavored varieties which often contain added sugar, and add a handful of naturally-sweetened blueberries instead. Or, if you’re craving a savory snack, you can always sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top!
Photo by Marta Branco on Pexels
6. Mixed nuts
If you’re nuts for nuts, you’re in luck! Mixed nuts are an excellent low-carb snack (as long as you stick to the right portion size). Grab 15 assorted nuts — like cashews, walnuts, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and almonds — and you’re looking at five total carbs and three grams of fiber.10 Just be mindful of the quantity if you’re trying to lose weight — nuts can help you feel less hungry, but they are also typically high in calories.
7. Cauliflower “buffalo bites”
Cauliflower has become an “it” ingredient, partly because it’s so versatile. You can grate it (or buy it pre-grated) as a replacement for rice, or you can even use cauliflower to make a low-carb pizza dough. Cauliflower also makes for a tasty, low-carb snack. Spice it up with some buffalo sauce, which is low-calorie and packs a ton of flavor and heat. A whole cup of cauliflower packs just four grams of carbs and one gram of fiber.11 Make this buffalo bites recipe for game day, and you’ll make your guests happy, too!
8. Cauliflower mash
Speaking of the versatile cauliflower, you can also turn the cruciferous veggie into a delicious mash. Not only will this snack fill you up (thanks to cauliflower’s fiber), but it’s also low-calorie, and wonderfully warming for cold winter days. Try this cauliflower mash recipe, which includes chives and garlic for extra flavor. You might not even miss the potatoes!
Photo by AngiePhotos on iStock
9. Caprese salad skewers
This isn’t your average salad. Try these Caprese salad skewers to mix things up! Here’s how to make them: Pair a small mozzarella ball, cherry tomato, and basil leaf on a toothpick. Voilà! A quarter cup of cherry tomatoes has just three total carbs and one gram of fiber.12 Enjoy one or two for a pick-me-up snack, or you can serve them on a platter the next time you host for a healthy, low-carb appetizer!
Did you know? Jenny Craig offers a low-carb meal plan that features foods like savory Cauliflower Fried Rice with Chicken and Vegetables, a hearty Stuffed Green Bell Pepper, and delicious Chicken Chile Verde. Start losing weight while enjoying the foods you love! Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with a weight loss coach and get started today.
Sources:
[1] https://www.choosemyplate.gov/eathealthy/vegetables/vegetables-nutrients-health
[2] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/487765/nutrients
[3] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/598981/nutrients
[4] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/342631/nutrients
[5] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/341528/nutrients
[6] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173424/nutrients
[7] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/384752/nutrients
[8] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/343670/nutrients
[9] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/524121/nutrients
[10] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/372664/nutrients
[11] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/407887/nutrients
[12] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/531259/nutrients
Leslie Barrie
Leslie Barrie has a health writing and editing background, and holds her master's degree from Columbia University Graduate Journalism School. Over the past 10 years, she has worked at various magazines in New York City, such as Woman's Day, Health, Seventeen, and more. When she's not writing about health, she likes living it — she enjoys running, hiking, swimming, and yoga (even though she's not the best at it, it helps her to relax!).
Favorite healthy snack: a piece of dark chocolate with a handful of almonds
Reviewed by Briana Rodriquez, RDN
Briana is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Personal Trainer for Jenny Craig, based in Carlsbad, California. She is passionate about utilizing food as functional and preventative medicine. Guided by a simplistic and optimistic approach, Briana’s philosophy is to help people improve their health and achieve their goals through the development of sustainable habits to live a healthy life. In her free time, you can find her strength training, indoor cycling, coffee tasting, and at local eateries with her husband and two dogs.
Favorite healthy snack: peanut butter with celery alongside a grapefruit-flavored sparkling water (so refreshing!)
QuoteThis article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles and was written by an experienced health and lifestyle contributor and fact-checked by Briana Rodriquez, RDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Jenny Craig.
Our goal at Jenny Craig is to provide the most up-to-date and objective information on health-related topics, so our readers can make informed decisions based on factual content. All articles undergo an extensive review process, and depending on topic, are reviewed by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Nutritionist, to ensure accuracy.
This article contains trusted sources. All references are hyperlinked at the end of the article to take readers directly to the source.
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