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Low carb diets may aid weight loss and improve blood sugar, but finding suitable snacks can be challenging.

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Finding low carb snacks can be difficult, as many common snack foods are high in carbs. Fortunately, you can prepare numerous tasty and creative snacks that fit your low carb lifestyle.

Choosing snacks with healthy fats, protein, and better-for-you carbs, such as fruit and vegetables, can help you meet your carb goals while still delivering a lot of nutrients.

Here are 15 easy low carb snacks that are both delicious and nutritious.

1. Cheddar cheese crisps

Carbs per serving: 0.6 gram per one ounce (28 grams) sharp cheddar cheese

Try homemade cheddar cheese crisps.

Cut thin slices of cheddar cheese into small, individual squares. Place the squares on a baking sheet, and bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 30 minutes, or until crisp. You can also look for packaged cheese crisps at the store.

2. Deviled eggs

Carbs per serving: 0.6 gram per two deviled eggs (60 grams)

One large egg has less than one gram of carbs.

Eggs are also rich in vitamin B12 and choline, which are essential nutrients for brain health.

To make deviled eggs, slice hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop out the egg yolks, and combine them with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Then, place a spoonful of the egg yolk mixture back into the egg white and top with a dash of paprika.

3. Tuna salad lettuce wraps

Carbs per serving: approximately 1 gram

Three ounces (85 grams) of canned tuna contains no carbs and nearly 25 grams of protein.

To make tuna salad, combine a 3-ounce (85-gram) can of tuna with 1/4 cup (55 grams) of mayonnaise and 1/4 cup (25 grams) of diced celery. Season the mix with salt and pepper to taste.

For a low carb wrap option, spoon tuna salad into a butter lettuce leaf.

4. Berries and whipped cream

Carbs per serving: approximately 12 grams

Berries are not only highly nutritious, but they’re also a lower-carb fruit choice. For example, blueberries provide just 11 grams of carbs in 1/2 cup (74 grams).

For a delicious, low carb snack, combine 1/2 cup (74 grams) of blueberries with 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of homemade whipped cream. You can make this by whipping heavy whipping cream without sugar.

5. Stuffed avocado

Carbs per serving: approximately 6 grams per 1/2 medium avocado stuffed with 3 ounces (85 grams) canned salmon

One medium avocado has 12 grams of carbs. However, 9 grams of these carbs are derived from fiber, an indigestible nutrient that your body doesn’t absorb, making avocados an excellent option for low carb diets.

To make a stuffed avocado, slice it in half and remove the pit. Then, spoon your desired low carb stuffing into the center of the avocado.

Try filling avocado with canned salmon or tuna, chopped shrimp, or scrambled eggs and cheese.

6. Strawberry smoothie

Carbs per serving: approximately 23 grams

While smoothies made with lots of fruit, juice, and sorbet can be very high in carbs, you can make a lower-carb smoothie with the right ingredients.

For example, strawberries are a delicious lower-carb fruit, with 1/2 cup (83 grams) providing just 6 grams of carbs.

To make a low carb strawberry smoothie, blend the following together:

• 1 cup (240 ml) of unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup (83 grams) of fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup (24 grams) of whey protein or another low carb protein powder
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of chia seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• a few ice cubes

7. BLT lettuce wrap

Carbs per serving: approximately 3 grams

BLT sandwiches are a popular lunch meal that are typically high in carbs. However, you can easily make a low carb BLT wrap without bread for a delicious snack.

Place three slices of tomato and two slices of bacon into a large romaine lettuce leaf. For more flavor, add a few slices of avocado and a small handful of shredded cheese.

8. Sweet bell peppers and smashed avocado

Carbs per serving: approximately 12 grams

Though their name may imply a high sugar and high carb content, sweet bell peppers are a low carb vegetable. They provide just 5 grams of carbs in about 1 cup (85 grams).

They’re also rich in vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for your heart, immune system, and skin. In fact, one green bell pepper has more vitamin C than an orange.

Make a quick low carb guacamole dip for 1 cup bell pepper slices by mashing 1/2 avocado, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice, and salt together in a bowl.

9. Kale chips

Carbs per serving: approximately 3 grams per 3 cups torn kale and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil

Kale is a popular low carb veggie that’s packed with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate. One cup (21 grams) of kale contains less than 1 gram of carbs.

If you aren’t a fan of raw or sautéed kale, try snacking on kale chips.

To make kale chips, rip kale leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the kale with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for about 10 minutes, or until the leaf edges start to brown and crisp.

10. Fresh veggies with tzatziki dip

Carbs per serving: approximately 5 grams per 2 tablespoons (30 grams) tzatziki and 1 cup (76 grams) raw broccoli

Tzatziki is a Greek sauce made from plain yogurt, garlic, and cucumbers. Fresh herbs, including dill and parsley, are often added as well.

Two tablespoons (30 grams) of tzatziki dip provide only 1 gram of carbs, making it an excellent low carb choice.

Pair the dip with fresh, low carb veggies like broccoli, celery sticks, or baby carrots.

11. Carrot sticks and peanut butter

Carbs per serving: approximately 15 grams per 10 baby carrots and 2 tablespoons (32 grams) peanut butter

Dipping carrot sticks into creamy peanut butter is a surprisingly delicious low carb snack.

Plus, peanuts are a good source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and also provide some plant protein.

Many peanut butter brands contain added sugar, so it’s best to choose a natural variety made only of peanuts and a little salt.

12. Cinnamon toasted pumpkin seeds

Carbs per serving: approximately 5 grams

One ounce (28 grams) of pumpkin seeds without their shells contains 4 grams of carbs and almost 2 grams of fiber.

What’s more, pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, an essential mineral needed for optimal immune health and metabolism.

To make toasted pumpkin seeds, combine 1 ounce (28 grams) of pumpkin seeds with 1/2 teaspoon (1.3 grams) of cinnamon and 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of olive oil.

Spread the seeds onto a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

13. Savory cottage cheese

Carbs per serving: approximately 13 grams in 1/2 cup (110 grams) cottage cheese with 1 cup (152 grams) grape tomatoes

One-half cup (110 grams) of cottage cheese has 5 grams of carbs and 12 grams of protein. It’s also rich in bone-building minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

Though fruit is a common addition to cottage cheese, you can also make it savory and lower in carbs by adding avocado slices, grape tomatoes, chopped green onions, or hot sauce.

14. Steamed edamame

Carbs per serving: approximately 14 grams

Edamame are green, unripe soybeans that are packed with nutrition. For instance, they contain compounds called isoflavones that may help prevent bone loss, among other benefits.

A 1-cup (155-gram) serving of edamame contains just 14 grams of carbs and more than 18 grams of plant-based protein.

For a simple low carb snack, toss raw shelled edamame into a bowl with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Cover with a paper towel and microwave on high for 1 minute or until tender. Season lightly with sea salt, and enjoy.

15. String cheese

Carbs per serving: approximately 1 gram

String cheese is an easy and portable low carb snack. Plus, it packs 8 grams of filling protein in a single stick.

Cheese is also a great source of calcium, which is an essential mineral needed for bone health, muscle function, and your nervous system.

The takeaway

There’s more than one way to eat low carb, but if you’re following a low carb diet, it’s a good idea to keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand. Making a low carb meal plan or menu can also help you stick to your goals.

The low carb snacks above offer beneficial nutrients like protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Plus, they’re delicious and can help satisfy your hunger between meals.

Healthy meal prep ideas