These Low-Carb Snacks Are Tasty and Won’t Spike Blood Sugars

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Whether you’re trying out a low-carb diet or simply want to cut back on sugar, low-carb snacks are a great addition to your weekly food rotation.

Before you hit the snack aisle at your local supermarket, it’s important to remember that plenty of whole foods like berries, non-starchy vegetables, and nuts are incredibly healthy low-carb snack options. Though many do contain some carbohydrates, they should have a place in your diet alongside packaged items that you can rely on for portability and convenience, says Lauren Harris-Pincus, M.S., R.D.N., founder of Nutrition Starring YOU and author of The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook.

The average daily recommendation for carbohydrates is about 45% to 65% of your daily calorie intake, or about 225 to 325 grams of a 2000-calorie diet, explains Jessica Zinn, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., a clinical dietitian in New York City. For a diet to be considered low-carbohydrate, you’re looking at no lower than 26% (and up to 40%) of daily calories coming from carbs or about 130 grams of a 2000-calorie diet, Harris-Pincus says.

Because carbohydrates are necessary for bodily functions, both Zinn and Harris-Pincus emphasize the importance of not cutting carbohydrates altogether. Instead, experts recommend choosing a snack that’s between 10 to 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Now, stock your kitchen cabinet and fridge with these healthy, portable low-carb eats for easy (and tasty) snacking.

Mixed berries

One cup of mixed berries comes in at around 12 g of carbs, making it a tasty, sweet, and nutritious option. Mix in some almonds and a bit of Greek yogurt for a tasty breakfast chock-full of vitamins.

Almond crackers

A nut-based cracker keeps carbs in check, while adding a ton of extra flavor, protein, and healthy fats to the mix. These are 11 g of carb for eight crackers. Pair them with your favorite cheese, like The Laughing Cow spreadable cheese, which is portioned out, low-carb, and oh-so-good.

Greek yogurt

We named the new Chobani zero-sugar yogurt one of the best yogurt brands to stock up on for good reason. With only one net carb due to the inclusion of allulose (a rare sugar found in nature that doesn’t affect blood sugar or insulin levels), it’s one of the lowest carb yogurts you can find with all the flavor, Harris-Pincus says.

String cheese

String cheese might feel like a childish snack, but the peel-apart bite is full of dairy and other good-for-you ingredients. And at just 1 g of carb per string cheese, these mozzarella sticks are perfect for low-carb, on-the-go snacking.

Edamame

Steamed edamame are a perfect snack option, but these crunchy, roasted edamame beans also bring a great texture factor. “Edamame is protein, carbs, fiber, and healthy fats in its own little package, so you don’t have to think about it,” Harris-Pincus says.

Hummus and veggies

Cut up your favorite veggies, like peppers, cucumbers, carrots, or broccoli, for easy dipping into these hummus singles. “Hummus will give you that healthy fat and fiber combined with veggies for a filling and low-carb snack,” says Harris-Pincus.

Beef jerky

Chock-full of protein, beef jerky is a great low-carb snack that has a decent shelf life. One package of Jack Links’ beef jerky has 7 g of protein, 4 g of carbs, and 1 g of fat. Plus, they have over 60,000 ratings and nearly five stars.

Almonds

A naturally low-carb food, nuts are packed with heart-healthy fats and protein. To combat overdoing the serving size, these convenient grab-and-go packs are a great option for easy, low-carb snacking.

Peanut butter

There’s nothing quite as classic as celery and peanut butter, and this low-carb duo is perfect for on-the-go snacking. We love Justin’s peanut butter squeeze packs because they’re perfectly portioned and don’t have any added sugar.

Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is making a comeback, and we’re not mad about it. Good Culture is known for ultra-lucious spoonfuls with creamy curds that leave you wanting more. Top it off with some blackberries or raspberries. They’re the lowest net carb fruit because they have a high amount of fiber, Harris-Pincus says. Bonus: Sprinkle on some flax seeds for heart-healthy fats, Zinn suggests.

Guacamole

Grab your guac singles and some veggies, and head right into snack mode. These mini-packs have a ton of flavor but are low-carb and convenient. If you’re looking for a fresher option, try half an avocado with everything bagel seasoning sprinkled on. “That’s delicious and is going to give you fiber and monounsaturated fat,” Harris-Pincus says.

Cheese crisps

Traditionally a keto snack, these cheese crisps are a great source of protein for easy, low-carb snacking. Mix them with some nuts or with a side of fruit for a little extra low-carb treat, Harris-Pincus says.

Hard boiled eggs

Not everyone has time to boil and peel eggs every week for quick snacking, but these pre-boiled bags make for an easy grab-and-go, low-carb snack. Sprinkle on some of your favorite spices, like paprike, for extra antioxidants, suggests Harris-Pincus.

Roasted seaweed snacks

These crunchy, paper-thin pieces of seaweed aren’t fishy at all, but they are delicious, low-carb, and low-calorie, says Harris-Pincus. They’re ultra-satisfying, and easy to pop in your tote for on-the-go snacking.

Charcuterie

Even with the crackers, these little snack packs are much lower carb than you’d expect and have a ton of powerful protein. Plus, they’re all natural so they don’t have any artificial preservatives or nitrates, Harris-Pincus says.

Frozen Greek yogurt

We know that Greek yogurt is a great low-carb snack, but freeze them into delicious desserts and you have a low-carb, low-calorie sweet treat. Each bar has some extra protein to keep you satisfied. They’re available in so many flavors, too!

Why would you consider low-carb snacking?

Low-carb diets have long been associated with both weight loss (read: the Atkins diet) and type 2 diabetes management. Every time we eat carbohydrates, our blood sugar increases, and the hormone insulin is released. Insulin production can increase how much fat we store in our bodies, and some find that less carbohydrates in their diet mean less insulin is released, resulting in less fat storage and weight loss, says Jessica Zinn, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., a clinical dietitian in New York City. Those who are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes may be prescribed a low-carb diet by a doctor or dietitian to help monitor their blood glucose, Zinn says. “I typically recommend low-carb diets to individuals with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance,” agrees Dr. Adimoolam. Dr. Deena Adimoolam, M.D., an endocrinologist and obesity specialist.

“These underlying conditions may lead to higher levels of blood glucose, and eating high-carb foods increases these glucose values.” She notes that those who have underlying nutrition deficiencies or chronic liver or kidney disorders should avoid low-carb diets.

And if diabetes or weight loss aren’t concerns for you, keeping your carbs in check can be beneficial in preventing blood-sugar spikes in between meals (aka that dreaded sugar-high and crash) and a great way to increase your vegetable, fruit, and protein intake, she adds.

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