Following a keto diet means avoiding carb-rich popular snack foods, and it can be particularly frustrating especially when you’re trying to ward off that hunger in between meals.
If you’re following a keto diet and experiencing this nutritional predicament, you need not worry anymore. Fortunately, there are various healthy, low-carb, and tasty snack options for you!
Best Keto Snacks on the Go
Here we give you the best delicious and healthy keto snacks on the go to include in your next meal plan. Whether you’re looking for keto snacks to buy or to make at your home, this article is for you.
1. Cajun shrimp and bell pepper kebabs
Unlike other types of seafood, shrimp have lower mercury and are a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 fats, making them one of the best snack options for keto dieters.
To make your Cajun shrimp and bell pepper kebabs at home, simply place the Cajun shrimp on skewers, alternating with fresh bell pepper slices.
You can either grill or bake the kebabs until the seasoned shrimp is fully cooked and the sliced peppers are tender and crisp. Then serve right away or store in the refrigerator for later.
2. Meatball sliders
Since meatball sandwiches are obviously high-carb because of the bun, you can use lettuce instead to make keto meatball sliders.
To make these keto-friendly meatballs,
- Simply mix ground meat with eggs, parmesan cheese, garlic, and herbs
- Shape them into balls
- Bake
You can eat them right away or store in the refrigerator for later. When you’re ready to eat, place them in the lettuce buns for a low-carb, protein-rich snack. You can also add a tomato-garlic aioli for dipping to add an extra dose of fat.
3. Veggie sticks with nut butter
One of the easiest, nutrient-rich snacks you can make at home is lightly cooked or fresh veggie sticks paired with your favorite nut butter.
Being one of the many healthy fat sources, nuts are also found to support weight loss and blood sugar management.
A 32-gram nut butter, without added oil, holds 16 grams of fat. Simply dipping celery and raw carrots in almond butter makes a tasty keto snack.
If you don’t have homemade nut butter and have to buy it at the store or online, don’t forget to check the label before putting it into your basket, as some have added sugar. The healthiest nut butters only require nuts.
4. Salmon salad celery boats
Aside from it being a good source of protein and omega-3 fats, Salmon is also rich in vitamin D—a nutrient which you may not get enough of.
A 100-gram canned salmon holds over half of the daily value for vitamin D. It can thus quickly be made into a keto-friendly salad.
To make this simple keto-friendly salad, simply combine cooked salmon with mayonnaise. You can also add some spices, lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs if you want.
5. Keto sushi rolls
Another excellent nutrient-rich snack for keto dieters are Keto sushi rolls. They can come together in just 15 minutes. You just need to prepare fish or meat and some uniformly chopped veggies (like cucumber, carrots, bell pepper, and avocado) to use for filling, and a pack of nori seaweed sheets. Adding a cream cheese can boost its fat content.
6. Collard green sandwich wraps
Collard greens are rich in folate, calcium, and vitamins K, C, and A.
To make collard green sandwich wraps,
- Simply place the collards in a pot of boiling water for about 30 seconds.
- Remove them from the pot.
- Place into a bowl of ice water for a few seconds.
- Dry them with a clean towel.
- Make and fill your wraps with fresh herbs, roasted veggies, avocado, tuna salad, chicken salad, sliced turkey, and cream cheese.
7. Mini frittatas
Mini frittatas also make a great keto-friendly snack. They are fully customizable and easy to prepare. You just need a dozen eggs, standard 12-cup muffin pan, a mixing bowl, and an oven.
To make mini frittatas,
- Simply beat the eggs seasoned with little salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Evenly distribute the egg mixture between each muffin cup.
- Add your preferred low-carb ingredients, such as spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and cheese.
- Bake at 180°C and wait until set (about 15–20 minutes).
Depending on the ingredients you add to your recipe, a 170-gram frittata may contain up to 320 calories, 21-gram fat, and 14-gram protein.
8. Caprese salad skewers
Caprese salad skewers is a tasty, keto-friendly, portable snack for keto dieters. What’s more, it can be prepared easily!
Simply alternate pieces of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves onto skewers.
It can be eaten plainly or mixed with a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dipping.
A 100-gram Caprese salad, without the dipping sauce, may contain ~ 139 calories, 11-gram fat, and 7-gram protein.
9. Avocado egg salad
Avocados are rich in heart-healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory compounds.
In fact, some research found that avocados may promote healthy aging.
Avocados are a great substitute for mayonnaise in traditional egg salad. It boosts the nutritional content of this keto-friendly snack.
Combine mashed avocado, minced red onion, a few diced, hard-boiled eggs, and a bit of salt and pepper then serve with celery sticks, lettuce wraps, and thick slices of radish and cucumber.
10. Mixed nuts
Nuts are rich in fiber, healthy fat, protein, and plant compounds with a variety of health benefits.
In fact, some research found that people with higher intake of nuts have reduced risk of cancer- and heart disease-related death.
A 28-gram mixed nuts contain ~ 15 grams of fat, 2 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein.
You can either build your own mix with your favorites (walnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews, almonds, and Brazil nuts) or buy pre-packaged mixed nuts.
If you prefer the latter, don’t forget to always check the label for any added ingredients that are not suitable into your diet. Other nutritious additions are cacao nibs, coconut, hemp hearts, and sunflower seeds.
11. Fermented vegetables
Fermented vegetables also make a great snack option for keto dieters. Research found that fermented foods containing beneficial bacteria may be beneficial for digestive function and may reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
You can either purchase fermented vegetables or make your own at home. Almost any type of vegetable can be fermented, such as cabbage, cucumbers, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, and beets.
You can pair your fermented vegetables with herbed full-fat crème fraiche to add more fat to your diet.
12. Keto smoothies
Are you one of those keto dieters who thought smoothies would be always off limits? Well this must be a great news for you!
Not all smoothies are high-carb. You can also make keto-friendly smoothies using nut butter, avocado, and coconut as a base to provide a creamy texture and boost fat content.
You can also use low-carb fruits, including lemon, lime, or berries, in small amounts. But make sure to include nutrient dense veggies like kale, jicama, cucumber, or spinach.
Other flavorful additions include cacao, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and flavored protein powders.
You can also add a keto-approved sweetener, such as monk fruit or stevia, if you’re looking for something sweet.
13. Olives
Olives are rich in heart healthy fats, making them a great snack option for keto dieters. Not only that, they also contain fiber, vitamin E, and several other health-promoting plant compounds that may potentially prevent chronic diseases like osteoporosis, as well as reduce inflammation.
A 100-gram serving of olives contain 145 calories, 14 grams of carbs, 15 grams of fat, and the rest come from fiber.
They can be eaten plain or, if you want, you can also stuff them with gorgonzola cheese for extra fat.
14. Coconut yogurt
It being a great source of probiotics, coconut yogurt may help promote healthy digestive function.
This is a popular dairy-free alternative to the traditional yogurt, making them perfectly suitable for keto dieters.
15. Fat bombs
Fat bombs are low-carb, dessert-style energy bites perfectly suitable for keto dieters looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. These bites are often made with avocado, nut butter, cream cheese, or coconut oil as the base. Then you can add in other ingredients to make delicious flavor profiles.
Although the possibilities are limitless, peanut butter and dark chocolate make the most known combination.
These sweet keto bites can either be bought at the store or made at home.
Conclusion
Keto dieters may find it difficult to find tasty and healthy snacks considering the fact that they also need to limit their carb intake.
The list above provides various delicious and healthy homemade and store-bought keto snacks. You can try all these keto snacks on the go or choose the ones that best suit your lifestyle.