You may be looking for snacks that are not high in carbohydrates because you're following a diet like the Atkins Diet or South Beach Diet. Packaged diet foods can claim to be low in carbohydrates, but may also have added artificial ingredients or preservatives. There are many natural, healthy low-carbohydrate snacks to choose from that provide other health benefits.
Cheese
Dairy products have a carbohydrate called lactose in them. However, if no extra sugar is added, the carbohydrate content of dairy is relatively low. A glass of milk has around 12 g of carbohydrates. Cheese has less carbohydrates than milk. A 1 oz. serving of cheese has less than 1 g of carbohydrate. Cottage cheese has around 3 g of carbohydrate in 1 cup. Choose dairy products that are low-fat or fat-free for a heart-healthy snack. Dairy products are also a rich source of calcium, which is important for bone health.
Nuts
Nuts are a source for omega-3 fatty acids and many vitamins and minerals. They are comprised of virtually all fat and protein. The fat in nuts is mostly heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests eating up to 1 1/2 oz. of nuts as part of a low-fat, healthy diet to reduce the risk of heart disease. A handful of nuts is about 1 oz. Grab a handful of nuts for a heart-healthy, low-carbohydrate snack.
Vegetables
Vegetables are naturally low in calories and high in nutrition and water content. Almost any nonstarchy vegetable is a good choice for a low-carbohydrate, healthy snack. Some examples of low-carbohydrate vegetables include broccoli, carrots, celery, peppers and asparagus. Vegetables such as corn, peas and potatoes are higher in carbohydrates. Pairing vegetables with cheese or nut butter can be a satisfying snack, for example celery with peanut butter.
Protein
Meat contains no carbohydrates. Choose meats that are lean with minimal fat for a healthy snack. Pairing deli meat with a slice of low-fat cheese and lettuce can be a healthy low-carbohydrate snack. Hard boiled eggs can also serve as a high protein, low-carbohydrate snack. Avoid processed meats, such as bacon, sausage and smoked meats, which can be high in sodium, fat and added sugars.
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