Look at you, you go-getter. Saying adios to sugar and bread and buenos dias to better health.
Sticking to a no carb diet is tough, but I have good news for you. There are soooo many ways to make awesome zero carb snacks.
Just because you're on a diet doesn't mean you can't snack! We all have those late nights or mid-day cravings, and having a list of the best no carb snacks is really useful.
Here's the secret to success: make sure you have a variety of zero carb snacks on hand. When the craving strikes, you need to have both instant snacks and more substantial snacks you can prepare on the fly, depending on what kind of mood you're in.
What are no-carb snacks?
Remember that carbs are the sugars, starches, and fibers found in grains, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.
Carbohydrates fall into two main categories: sugars and starches.
So sugars like glucose, fructose, and lactose, and starches found in potatoes, etc.
Carbohydrates give you energy and regulate your blood glucose. They're what helps preserve your body and prevent it from degrading over time.
In general, no-carb foods and keto snacks include the following:
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Essentially all meat (chicken, beef, pork, lamb, etc.)
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Fish (salmon and tuna are delicious options)
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Most cheeses
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Eggs
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Tea or coffee without adding milk or sugar
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Greens, radishes, cucumbers, herbs, and celery
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No carb oils and fats (olive oil, butter, coconut oil)
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This isn't a comprehensive list, but it should get you started with planning any no carb recipes.
When people say snacks with no carbs, they typically mean snacks with fewer than 1g of net carbs per serving, and those are what we'll be covering today. Some of the options below do have carbohydrates in very small quantities, so as always, check your labels, people.
And let's be honest. The best no carb snacks are well... just not snacking.
But let's also be honest, again. Who doesn't crack every once in a while? We're allowed to be human, right? Right?!
So with that clarification in mind, let's hit some of our favorite no carb snacks.
1. Eggs/Egg Muffins
If you've been carb-free eating for even a week, you've probably figured out that eggs are your best friend when it comes to zero carb snacks.
Honestly, the more ways you can learn to cook them to keep things interesting, the better.
Poach them over a bed of spinach and top them with cheese, hot sauce, and a spritz of lemon juice.
Scramble them and mix in some peppers and onions.
Hard-boil them and have boiled eggs ready to go at a moment's notice.
You get the idea!
Not only are they delicious, but they are also perfect 0 carb snacks.
2. Cheese chips
Chips and cheese in the same phrase? Yes, please.
Cheese chips have me snacking faster than Gromit on the moon.
Homemade cheese chips (a.k.a. healthier Cheez-Its) are easy to make and super tasty. All you have to do is slice 'em and bake 'em up.
A general rule of thumb is that the longer the cheese is aged, the fewer carbs it has — making parmesan/aged cheddar cheese ideal options for nearly carb free snacks.
3. Mediterranean Lettuce Wraps
Another good staple among our list of carb free snacks is a fresh lettuce wrap.
Similar to eggs, it's hard to get bored with the sheer number of options available to you here.
We love cauliflower hummus lettuce wraps. Pack some red peppers, onions, olives, greens, cauliflower hummus (be careful with the hummus! Cauliflower has around 5g per serving), a bit of acidity, and roll it all up in a big leaf of lettuce — think of it like a gyro without the pita!
Feel free to use any greens (spinach, arugula, etc.) cucumbers, celery, or grilled chicken for easy additions to these 0 carb snacks as well.
Here's a recipe from DeliciousLittleBites to get you started — just swap the hummus/tortilla out for even fewer carbs!
4. Pepperoni Slices
Make sure the pepperonis you buy aren't too processed (i.e. include extra processed sugars/carbs), but these are awesome zero carb snacks for just having a few to tide you over until dinner or to combine with cheese and greens of your choice for something a bit more substantial.
You can also throw them in the oven for easy pepperoni chips!
5. Olives
We love a good batch of kalamata olives. They're great carb free snacks to keep around the house for when you want something quick.
They're both zero-carb and high in fat, which means you get full quickly and stop before eating too many of these 0 carb snacks!
Try stuffing them with cream cheese for an extra-satisfying bite. Or, marinate them with herbs for a flavor-packed no carb snack that impresses dinner guests while keeping your carb count at zero.
6. Salmon or Canned Fish
Salmon or canned fish, like tuna, is super packed with protein and can quickly leave you feeling full for hours.
Combine these carb free snacks with onions, a little mayonnaise, and cheese for a tuna salad of sorts.
For the ultimate zero carb snacks that travel well, stuff mini bell peppers with your tuna mix or wrap smoked salmon around cream cheese. These protein-rich options give you lasting energy without the carb crash.
7. Celery
Celery sticks don't have to be boring. Dress these zero carb snacks up with feta and oil or pack them with a tiny bit of cream cheese for a lovely daytime snack.
The satisfying crunch makes these perfect no carb snacks when you're missing chips or crackers. Try adding everything bagel seasoning or bacon bits to your cream cheese for next-level carb free snacks that satisfy multiple cravings at once.
8. Cucumbers and Pickles
When it comes to the best no carb snacks, you can choose your vice. But snacking on pickles or cutting fresh cucumbers and putting them into a lettuce wrap is perfect to add into your mix of zero carb snacks.
Slice cucumbers into rounds for easy dipping in guacamole, or create mini sandwiches using pickles as the "bread" with deli meats inside. These refreshing 0 carb snacks are especially perfect for hot days when you need hydration.
9. Cold Cut Roll-Ups
Another one of our favorite 0 carb snacks is to just wrap lunch meats and cheese together. It's easy to go overboard here, but keeping these on hand makes it super simple to snack when you need to.
Plus, you can throw that same lunch meat and cheese into a lettuce wrap or pack it with some celery and boom, you've got more carb free snacks to dig into.
The Benefits of No Carb Snacks
Okay, so you've stocked up on zero carb snacks, but why exactly are you doing this to yourself? Let’s talk about some of the awesome benefits!
First off, no carb snacks can help you maintain steadier energy levels throughout your day. No more sugar crashes at 3 PM when you're trying to finish that work project! When you snack on high-quality protein like Chomps with its 10g protein per stick, your body gets sustained fuel without the rollercoaster.
Weight management becomes so much easier with snacks without carbs. Your body starts burning fat for energy instead of relying on carbs, which is exactly what you want if you're trying to shed a few pounds. Plus, carb free snacks often contain good fats that keep you feeling satisfied longer.
Blood sugar control is another major win. If you're watching your glucose levels, the best no carb snacks can help maintain stability throughout the day. Even if that's not a concern, stable blood sugar means fewer mood swings and cravings.
And for those with a sweet tooth who think they have to give up all treats, think again! There are amazing no-carb desserts out there using ingredients like cocoa powder and natural sweeteners that satisfy cravings without derailing progress.
Tips for Eating Zero Carb Snacks
Ready to rock this no-carb lifestyle? Here are some game-changing tips to make your snacking experience even better!
Plan Ahead
The number one reason people fail with carbless snacks is getting caught hungry with nothing prepared. Spend 30 minutes on Sunday prepping portable 0 carb snacks like hard-boiled eggs and cheese slices so you're never left scrambling.
Read Labels Carefully
Many packaged foods labeled as "keto" or "low-carb" contain hidden sugars. Stick to real, whole foods whenever possible or trusted products like Chomps that use thoughtfully-sourced ingredients.
Pair Your Proteins and Fats
The most satisfying zero carb snacks combine protein with healthy fats (like our beloved Chomps paired with some olives for example). This combo keeps you fuller longer and provides different nutrient profiles.
Hydrate
Sometimes what feels like hunger is actually thirst. Drink water before reaching for carb free snacks and you might find you weren't actually hungry after all.
Don’t Forget Portion Control
Even the best no carb snacks can lead to weight gain if you're eating too many calories overall. A handful of nuts can quickly turn into a meal if you're not paying attention!
Our final thoughts on the best no carb snacks
And there you have it! Time to keep rocking away at life with these zero carb snacks. Remember that winning at dieting all comes down to consistency. Be realistic about how strict you can be on grams of carbs and work your way down to a level that produces the results you want.
Chomps Meat Sticks make it easy to stay on track.
Made with 100% grass-fed and finished beef, our thoughtfully-sourced protein snacks deliver 10g protein, 0g carbs, and 0g sugar per stick. With bold flavors that satisfy cravings, our beef jerky sticks are Whole30, gluten-free, paleo, and keto-approved.
Whether you're going strictly no-carb or just keeping things low, get quality fuel for your journey. Start by checking out our trial pack today.
