Easy Low Carb Snacks

People on certain diets or those with diabetes usually have to watch how many carbohydrates they consume to lose weight or to control their blood glucose levels. However, carbohydrates are essential in any diet because the brain can only function on glucose, writes Seizer and Whitney of the book, "Nutrition Concepts and Controversies."

Dairy Products

Low-fat dairy products can provide calcium and protein with very few carbohydrates. One ounce of skim mozzarella cheese has 71 calories, 7 g of fat and 1 g of carbohydrates. A half cup of low-fat cottage cheese has 81 calories, 14 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of carbohydrates. Either of these can be paired with a small piece of fruit or with five to six whole wheat crackers. An 8-oz. glass of fat-free milk contains 83 calories, 8 g of protein and 12 g of carbohydrates, which on a diabetic diet is about a serving of carbohydrates.

Yogurt Creamsicles

This recipe, from the University of Minnesota Medical Center, is an excellent snack for warmer days. Combine 1/2 cup of plain, fat-free yogurt with 1/2 cup of undiluted fruit juice concentrate in a blender. Then spoon the mixture into popsicle molds and place in the freezer. Leave in the freezer until completely frozen, which can take a few hours. Making this ahead of time and letting it freeze overnight will ensure that the popsicles are completely frozen. For a variation of this recipe, you can substitute plain yogurt with vanilla or another fruit-flavored yogurt.

Artichoke Dip

This recipe, from the Diabetic Gourmet Magazine, contains 20 calories, 2 g of protein and 3 g of carbohydrates for 2 tbsp. To make this recipe, thaw a 9-oz. bag of frozen artichokes and then dry with a paper towel and cut into small pieces. Then, in a medium bowl, combine 4 oz. of low-fat or fat-free cream cheese, 1/2 cup of plain low-fat or fat-free yogurt, 1/4 cup of sliced green onions, 1 1/2 tsp. of cream sherry, 1 tsp. of salt-free Italian herb seasoning and 1/8 tsp. of salt. Mix together in a bowl and then add in the artichokes. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for an hour before serving.