Low Carb Snacks to Buy

Studies show that having six small meals in a day is a healthier alternative to three heavy meals. Many of us would like to follow this but due to our busy schedule, this seems almost impossible. An alternative to this could be to have three small meals and in between meals, eat low calorie, low carbohydrate snacks, twice a day. Here are a few, easily available, low carb snacks.

Nuts
Nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, brazils and peanuts are available in almost every convenience store. Nuts are extremely nutritious as they are a rich source of fiber, proteins, mono-unsaturated fats and antioxidants.

Raw Vegetables
Vegetables like mushrooms, green beans, bell peppers, tomatoes,celery, carrots and broccoli should top the low carb snacks list as these natural foods are full of minerals and vitamins and have very less calories. Prepare a salad using these vegetables and low carbohydrate salad dressings such as olive oil and rice vinegar. Add chunks of hard-boiled eggs and tuna to it. Have it with peanut butter or any other low carb dip.

Seeds
Pumpkin, sesame, sunflower and squash seeds are healthy low carb snacks. Although, roasting these low carb foods to eat requires a lot of effort, but in the end it is worth it, considering the fact that they have high protein value. When purchasing seeds, remember to read the labels though, as some flavored seeds may contain sugar and unhealthy fats.

Jerky
Jerky is prepared by cutting fat-trimmed beef or turkey into strips, marinating the meat in sweet or salty liquid and later drying it on low heat. A 30 gm jerky contains 1 gm fat and up to 15 g of protein. When you set out to buy turkey, always remember to buy the traditional, sliced, whole muscle meat rather than the processed, formed, artificial meat as it has a very high fat content. A low carb beef jerky is one of the healthiest and the tastiest snacks for diabetics.

Frozen Yogurt
Of all the low carb snacks for kids, frozen yogurts are their favorite. There are many types of frozen yogurts available in the market. Buy the ones which are sugar-free and contain live yogurt cultures. Plain yogurt made from skimmed milk is another ready to eat snack. Add fresh berries to plain yogurt to make it a tasty and healthy snack.

Low-Carb Meal Replacement Bars
If you are looking for low carb snacks on the go, numerous brands of low carb meal replacement bars, available in the market are sure to serve the purpose. However, before buying a bar, remember to check that it is high in nutrition and low in sugar and calories. Some bars contain maltitol, an alcoholic sugar which can be sometimes very hard on the stomach. These type of bars should be avoided.

Cheese Strings
String cheese snacks are made from mozzarella cheese. They have a low carb count and have a very high calcium and protein content. They are also rich in vitamin A. In fact, all kinds of cheese, be it cheddar or cottage cheese, are used in a number of recipes, thus making them an inseparable part of a low carb diet.

Fruits
Fruits such as raspberries, cranberries, blackberries, strawberries, watermelon, apples, apricots, grapefruit and kiwifruit are high fiber snacks, available everywhere, making them one of the easiest snacks to buy.

Fast Foods
Did you ever think that pizzas and chips can be low carb? Well, it is possible. Pizza crusts with low carbohydrates and healthy toppings are available in the market. You only have to make an effort to find out where they are available. As far as chips are concerned, try making pepperoni chips, an easy healthy snack, at home. Simply cut pepperoni into slices and microwave till the slices becomes crispy. Have it with a low carb dip.

Having low carb food and snacks will help keeping your hunger at bay throughout the day. One precaution though, read the packages carefully before buying anything. Welcome to the world of healthy eating and yes, happy snacking!