20 Low-Carb Snacks That Will Actually Keep You Satisfied Between Meals
Picture this: It's 2 p.m. and you're already fantasizing about dinner. The problem? You've devoured your entire lunch before noon. While trying to decide between half-heartedly filling up on junk food or waiting it out until dinner, that excel spreadsheet becomes more and more daunting. Quite the dilemma, yes, but there is a solution: munching on healthy and satisfying, low-carb snacks that will hold you over in between meals. If you're on the lookout for alternative fuel (without the additives and refined sugars you'd expect from prepackaged goods), this roundup of 20 low-carb snacks below will save the day.
Read on to take your pick of healthy munchies that are actually satisfying.
What's better than a crudités platter for those times when you're having a major snack attack? This particular dip from Hello Glow proves our point. The edamame hummus spread and colorful, raw veggies are a great snack for movie nights or for packing in your lunch.
Prepared just like those mouthwatering eggs that come in your favorite bowl of ramen, this protein-rich recipe from I Am a Food Blog will be your new go-to snack. Trust us—it's a major upgrade to the traditional hard-boiled egg.
Veggies have never looked or tasted better. This recipe from Carlsbad Cravings proves that when prepared well, broccoli can be better than cake. This roasted broccolini delivers tons of essential nutrients including fiber, manganese, choline, vitamin B1, and more. Oh, and did we mention it incorporates Parmesan cheese and lemon?
This is not your average açai bowl. Instead of a smoothie with granola, switch up your game with these tropical papaya boats from Minimalist Baker. Or, if you prefer melon, try making a cantaloupe bowl. Loaded with nuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and fruit, this is a great recipe to make for breakfast or a midday snack.
Next time half of you is craving a big bucket of fries while the other half is craving veggies, try this recipe from The First Mess. The crispy polenta-coated eggplant slices are baked instead of fried, but they still boast the same snack-worthy texture of potato chips.
Here's another watermelon recipe to enjoy if you're trying to cut back on carbs. Instead of filling up on cheese and crackers, try this grilled watermelon and shishito pepper recipe from Playful Cooking.
This shrimp recipe is not only great for dinner, but it also makes for a perfect low-cal snack. Brought to us by Salt and Wind, these peel-and-eat salt shrimps are tasty enough to eat on their own.
This hemp and ginger green smoothie from The First Mess is the ideal snack for a winter afternoon pick-me-up. Pears and hemp hearts make up the base instead of your average banana and nut butter. Complete with leafy greens, ginger, MCT oil, lemon juice, cinnamon, and fresh mint leaves, it's super energizing and great for the immune system.
Though this Paleo recipe from Food Faith Fitness calls for only five ingredients, it's packed with deliciousness. These maple-baked brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes can be prepared as a dinner side dish or on their own as a snack.
When you're craving a filling snack between meetings, opt for this watermelon seed butter from Sakara. It's both creamy and nutrient-dense without having an excess amount of calories. It also contains heart-healthy ingredients and mood-boosting properties that promote serotonin production. Eat it by the spoonful or spread it on a slice of actual watermelon.
Plain nuts can seem a little boring, especially if you snack on the same ones day after day. Luckily, Playful Cooking is here to shake things up with these exciting (and tasty) spiced nut mixes.
Not only are these diced avocado radicchio cups with honey-chive vinaigrette refreshing, they're also simple—making them the perfect appetizer to whip up in a pinch. Or save this eye-catching recipe from The First Mess for entertaining.
Love avocado but want new ways to eat it? This recipe from The First Mess is sure to prevent avocado burnout. With roasted beets, basil, and dukkah, this avocado tartar is tasty, intriguing, and light enough to devour midday without risking a food coma.
Small but mighty, these no-bake energy balls from Food Faith Fitness are basically bite-size edible jetpacks that power you through feeling sluggish. Packed with cashews and apricots, they're super quick and simple to make. This recipe is ideal for anyone who is extremely busy and craves something indulgent and healthy.
Though berries are revered as low-carb fruits while pineapples, bananas, and other delicious options are deemed less healthy, they're a much better snack than those with refined sugars and additives. If you don't have any blood sugar concerns, eating carb-heavy fruits in moderation is actually healthy. These yummy pineapple spears with paprika, jalapeño, honey, and feta cheese from How Sweet Eats are full of manganese and vitamin C.
This mushroom-ragout agrodolce wedge recipe from Salt and Wind is like a vegetarian-friendly version of minced lettuce cups. Whether you make these light bites as an appetizer or lunch, they're sure to be a quick favorite.
Though white beans contain carbs, they also contain essential nutrients that make them a diet staple—especially for anyone who needs more potassium, zinc, or iron. This cilantro-lime white bean dip from Spoon Fork Bacon is a delicious source of all of the above. This dip is sure to leave you feeling ready to power through the rest of your day.
These little red peppers with hummus and sun-dried tomatoes created by Food Faith Fitness are like ants on a log for grown-ups. In other words, they're a lot more fun to snack on than your average vegetable slices.
Watermelon is having a serious moment in both the health and foodie communities. Inspired by sashimi, these vegan-friendly watermelon triangles from Minimalist Baker call for avocado, sesame, pickled ginger, red onion, and a zesty wasabi sesame oil glaze.
For something hearty yet healthy, opt for this roasted acorn squash and cranberry tabouli recipe from Spoon Fork Bacon. It's so much better than that prepacked salad you usually get at the supermarket (especially if you also choose to make it with that heavenly slice of grilled halloumi cheese on top).
Next, see more high-protein, low-carb recipes for healthy eating.
Opening Image: Because I'm Addicted