Low-carb snacks – the best and the worst

  1. No preparation
  2. Recipes
  3. Veggie sticks
  4. Berries
  5. Chocolate
  6. Common mistakes
  7. Top 21
  8. Similar guides

What low-carb snacks are good? There's a simple rule: The best low-carb snack is no snack.1

That's right. Snacks are usually not needed on low carb, as hunger should be reduced when doing it right.2 If you're still hungry, you may want to add more healthy fat, protein, or fibrous low-carb veggies to your meals.

That said, we know that everyone wants a snack once in a while. So here are some great options and a few common mistakes to avoid.

No preparation needed

Low-carb snacks: no preparation needed

Keto snacks no preparation needed

The numbers are net carbs (total carbs minus fiber carbs) in 100 grams (3.5 ounces.)3 That means that 100 grams of cheese contains 2 grams of net carbs.

Carbs list

Eggs are a great low-carb option.4 Keep a few hard-boiled eggs ready for when you need a perfect snack. Feel free to add mayonnaise.

Nuts are a low-carb snack favorite. But be careful as the carbs quickly add up, especially if you eat cashews. Choose lower-carb macadamia, Brazil or pecan nuts instead. Low-carb nuts guide

Snack recipes

Are you ready to do some preparations for an awesome low-carb snack? Check out our fantastic low-carb snack recipes, like these top choices:

    Vegetable sticks and dip

    Low-carb snacks: vegetable sticks

    Keto Veggies and dip

    Numbers are digestible carbs (net carbs) per 100 grams (3½ ounces).

    Carbs list

    Vegetable sticks are relatively low carb, except for carrots, which are slightly higher. Low-carb vegetables guide

    Dip: Add cream cheese or any low-carb and high-fat dip sauce.5 Just make sure not to go overboard as the calories can add up quickly.

    Here are our top recipes:

      Berries and cream

      Low-carb snacks: berries and cream

      Keto snacks berries and cream

      Berries are decently low-carb sweets. But if you're on a strict low-carb diet you may need to make them an occasional treat. Blueberries have the most carbs. Low-carb fruits and berries guide

      Heavy whipping cream –
      forget low-fat fake cream. Get real heavy whipping cream, ideally at 40 percent fat and definitely unsweetened (the natural sweetness is quite enough once you get used to it). Whip and have it with your berries. Note that this is absolutely delicious and easy to over-consume, which may slow down weight loss. So try to not overdo it.

      Carbs list

      Recipes

        Chocolate

        Digestible carbs per 100 grams (3½ ounces)

        Low-carb snacks: Chocolate

        Keto visual guide Chocolate

        Chocolate is not low carb. However, you can occasionally get away with one or two thin squares of high-cocoa chocolate (70%+) even on a strict low-carb diet. On a more liberal low-carb diet you could do it regularly.

        • One small thin square (10 grams or less than half an ounce) of 86 percent chocolate contains about 2 grams of carbs.
        • Switch to 70% chocolate and you get about 3.5 grams per square.
        • Regular chocolate can be 6 grams of carbs or more per square – not an option if you want to stay low carb.

        Carbs list

        More options

        Keto snacks: pork rinds and beef jerky

        Beef jerky: Note that almost all available commercial options have added sugar, which is why a normal carb count is 9 grams per 100 grams (3½ ounces). We recommend you look for brands with no added sugar, or make your own.

        Carbs list

        Chips recipes

        Common mistakes on low carb

        Low-carb snacks: common mistakes

        Caffe Latte: Note that there is a quite a lot of milk in this, and milk is around 5 percent carbs (from lactose, or milk sugar). To keep the carbs low, drink black coffee, or add (if you need to) a few teaspoons of milk or cream.

        Juice and functional waters: Juice and many flavored waters contain a lot of sugar. Avoid them.

        Fruit: Fruit is candy from nature and contains plenty of sugar. It's not nearly as bad as drinking juice, as the fiber in fresh fruit helps decrease the amount of sugar absorbed by the gut. But, because it's still fairly high in carbs, fruit will have to be limited or avoided on a strict low-carb diet. A more liberal low-carb diet allows for a bit more fruit consumption. Bananas and grapes contain the most sugar of all fruit. Check out the best options in our low-carb fruits guide

        Cashew nuts: These contain a lot of carbs (other nuts are a lot lower). Learn more in our low-carb nuts guide

        Carbs list

        Note: Carbohydrate information for beverages is provided in common serving sizes rather than per 100 grams:

        Really terrible options

        Low carb snacks: Terrible options

        These options are all bad on a low-carb diet, as they are high in refined carbs and sugars. Avoid whenever possible.

        Carbs list

        Also be very skeptical of "low-carb" versions of chocolate, cookies, etc. Not only do these products tend to encourage more sugar cravings, they are also usually full of sugar alcohols. Some of these sugar alcohols raise blood sugar, making it harder to lose weight.6 Learn more

        Instead, choose from the great simple options closer to the top of this page, or check out our awesome low-carb snack recipes below!

        21 great low-carb snacks

        1. Egg muffins. One of the best time-saving breakfasts of all time, hands down, and also a great snack.
        2. Keto garlic bread. Deliciously crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and only 1 gram of carbs per piece.
        3. Keto quesadillas. Cook up this Mexican-inspired appetizer ASAP. Decadent. Cheesy. And officially keto! Easy to make, tasty, and pretty enough to make you look like a celebrity chef. Serve them up as is or decked-out with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. Olé!
        4. Sesame crispbread. Do you love to sink your teeth into something crunchy every now and then? Then this is for you.
        5. Cheese chips. Looking for a crunchy chip to snack on or to enjoy with guacamole or dip? This two-ingredient fix will keep you satisfied!
        6. Onion rings. Make your own low-carb and gluten-free onion rings in the oven – simple and delicious.
        7. Tortilla pizza. These mouthwatering mini-pizzas are as big on flavor as they are low in carbs. In just a few minutes you'll be snacking on a gooey pizza loaded with all the lip-smacking stars of this Italian classic.
        8. Creamy keto shrimp tacos. Why should taco fillings have all the fun? In this recipe, the cheesy taco shells share the starring role with shrimp in a luscious cream sauce.
        9. Salami and cheese chips. A crunchy low-carb snack that only takes minutes to prepare. Salami and cheese in a delicious combination. Perfection!
        10. Zucchini chips. Do you miss potato chips on a low-carb diet? Now you don't have to. You'll need several zucchinis for a bowl of these chips, but they are truly delicious!
        11. Low-carb granola bars. A healthier and lower-carb option to all the sugary bars out there. Make your own bars with nuts, seeds, healthy fats and truly dark chocolate.
        12. Cheese roll-ups. It's perhaps the fastest, most simple low-carb snack you can make – and it tastes great. Cheese roll-ups are perfect as a low-carb snack that you'll make in just a few seconds.
        13. Cheddar cheese and bacon rolls. Cheese and bacon! What's not to love? This awesome keto snack is easy and quick to make.
        14. Kale chips. Do you want healthy and tasty green chips with very few carbohydrates? We usually have kale in the holiday season, so we made some and found that they were quite tasty.
        15. Eggs on the go. Here's an inspiring way to take your eggs on the road! With so many ways to prepare eggs, this one ups the fun factor, with optional, creative filling choices. Egg-cellent!
        16. Bacon-wrapped halloumi cheese. These wonderful salty treats can be served as a snack or an appetizer. Serve them on top of your favorite vegetables and leafy greens and you'll have a delicious and filling salad.
        17. Baked mini bell peppers. These peppers may be tiny, but their flavor is mighty! Bursting with creamy cheese, chorizo, savory herbs and a pop of chipotle.
        18. Salad sandwiches. Who says a great sandwich needs bread? These fun keto salad sandwiches are proof that lettuce can work just as well.
        19. Low-carb cream cheese with herbs. This low-carb cream cheese with herbs is so easy to make!
        20. Baked cheese. This low-carb baked cheese is salty, tangy and flavorful.
        21. Caprese snack. A plate is a blank canvas begging for sights and sounds. And this caprese fills the plate with scents, colors, and you provide the sound.

        Sweet things – caution recommended

        While the sweet recipes below are low carb, they are also very rewarding and tempting.7 They may encourage eating when not hungry, and that can slow your weight loss. So be a bit careful.

        However, these low-carb recipes are still likely better for your weight and health than high-carb versions of similar recipes.8

        More low-carb guides

        Visual guides

        More

        A low-carb diet for beginners

        A low-carb diet for beginners

        Low-carb foods

        Low-carb foods

        14-day low-carb diet meal plan

        14-day low-carb diet meal plan