For many people, snacking is synonymous with eating wraps, sandwiches or even chips. Even if you're eating healthy, you're still likely to snack on carbs, because they're the most accessible and easy-to-carry snack. If you're on a low-carb diet, however, finding with options that stay away from the traditional sugar and bread can prove difficult. With a little planning and some imagination, however, you can come up with fun and healthy low-carb snacks.
Proteins
Although meats may first come to mine when you think of proteins, proteins come in a variety of forms and there are many snack options. Dairy products are all-protein, although they do contain lactose, a form of sugar. To keep it low-carb, look for low-fat, low-sugar products, such as light yogurt, low-fat mozzarella sticks or skim milk, which is sometimes available in individual serving packs for convenience and portion control. Cottage cheese contains no carbs and can be combined with fruit for a tasty snack. Nuts (including peanut butter) are all pure protein, as are tofu and other soy-based products made especially for vegetarians. Any of these can make for a good snack, but keep the portions small (about 1/4 of a cup), as nuts as nuts are high in fat. Even a hard-boiled egg can make for a quick and easy snack.
Fruits and Vegetables
Almost all vegetables, except for corn, peas and potatoes, are low in carbs, so choosing any of them in any form is acceptable. For example, 1/2 cup of baby carrots along with peanut butter makes for a healthy low-carb snack. Fruits do contain sugar, so choosing carefully is key. Berries are the best option, followed by apples, apricots, cantaloupe, pineapple and watermelons. For a snack, measure 1/2 cup of any of these fruits or choose a full, small-sized fruit. Avoid bananas, raisins and pears, which are the three highest in sugars. Avoid all fruit juices, as they sugar content is too high, even if they're homemade or unsweetened.
Low-carb Products
Atkins was one of the first companies to come up with a series of low-carb products sold through health food stores and pharmacies. Snack bars and shakes are especially popular, but you can find anything from cookies to ice cream to drinks made especially for those following a low-carb diet. Depending on how low you're going with your carbs, special low-carb bread (made with soy flour) is available, or you can try whole wheat or rye bread, which contain fewer carbs than regular white bread. When choosing low-carb products, pay attention to the labels, and stick to a single portion per snack.
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