7 Low-Carb Snack Ideas – Tired of eating the standard low carb snacks?

by Aviva Natural Health Solutions May 16, 2011

Dr. Kristie Leong

Watching your carbs? It seems that things are stacked against you when it comes to eating a snack. Cookies, candy, chips are all off limits, and you can only munch on nuts for so long before you need a little variety. So what are your options for a low-carb between-meal snack? Here are seven low-carb snack ideas that'll wake-up your taste buds, and keep you satisfied – without blowing your low-carb eating plan.

Cheese Snacks

Spoon shredded cheese onto a piece of parchment paper. Then season the cheese with a little salt and a light sprinkling of your favourite spices. Place the parchment paper on a baking sheet and bake for five minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature. Peel off the parchment paper, and enjoy your homemade cheese snacks. They're a good substitute for cheese crackers, and they have less than one gram of carbs per serving.

Ricotta Cheese Desserts

Have a hankering for chocolate? For a quick low-carb chocolate dessert, mix a half-cup of ricotta cheese with a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder. Sweeten your chocolate creation with your favorite calorie-free sweetener. Chill before serving.

Mix ricotta cheese with vanilla or almond flavour extract. Add sugar-free sweetener and nuts to create a low-carb dessert that'll satisfy your sweet tooth.

For another variation, mix a half-cup of ricotta cheese with a teaspoon of cinnamon and sweeten with a low-carb sweetener. Top with strawberries and walnuts. Then, dig in.

Turkey and Cheese Roll-ups

Spread a layer a large iceberg lettuce leaf with a layer of mayonnaise or mustard. Top with two slices of turkey and a slice of cheese. Roll the stack into a 'burrito,' and eat it with a sour pickle. This also makes a quick low-carb lunch.

Pepperoni Chips

Have a taste for chips but don't want the carbs? For a low-carb snack idea, make low-carb pepperoni chips instead. Place pepperoni slices on a baking sheet, and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes until crispy. Dip your crispy carb-free chips in your favorite low-carb dip.

Get Your Veggies

Spread a layer of real peanut butter onto a celery stick, or fill a celery stick with tuna salad for a low-carb, high-protein snack. Dip chopped vegetables of every variety into fresh salsa or guacamole dip. Guacamole dip is made with avocado, a good source of healthy, monounsaturated fats.

Make a Snack Pack to Go

Mix pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds with walnuts and pistachios. Package into handy, take-along bags for a quick snack to enjoy on the go. Nuts and seeds are low in carbs, but high in fibre and heart-healthy, monounsaturated fats.

Fruit and Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is low in carbs but rich in protein and calcium. Mix it with fresh strawberries for a low-carb summer treat that's high in antioxidants. For more protein and crunch, sprinkle in your favorite nuts or a tablespoon of flaxseed to add heart-healthy fats.

Enjoy these low-carb snack ideas as a mid-morning or late-afternoon snack to keep you satisfied without blowing your low-carb eating plan. They'll also help you say no when they pass the doughnut box around at the office.