Low-Carb Snacks That Are Mom- and Kid-Friendly
It never fails. Your kids always get hungry at the most inopportune times like in the car or in the crowded waiting room at the pediatrician's office, which is why your purse is packed with fruit snacks, granola bars and crackers. But these high-carb, kid-friendly foods don't quite fit your low-carb meal plan. What's a low-carb mom to do when hunger strikes? The answer is simple: Revamp her arsenal of snacks to include low-carb options that she can enjoy too!
1. Cheese Snacks
Nothing is more fun than pulling apart string cheese. With 6 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of carb per serving, these tasty treats make a good low-carb addition that'll work for both you and your kids. In addition to coming in a variety of flavors, such as cheddar and Colby, these cheese snacks also come in various shapes including circles and triangles.
2. Nuts
Crunchy and savory, nuts make a tasty low-carb treat. Fill resealable containers with an ounce of your favorite nuts to keep in the cupboard for a quick grab-and-go snack as you're heading out the door to work. A 1-ounce serving contains 4 to 6 grams of protein and 3 to 9 grams of carbs. Brazil, pecans and walnuts are the most low-carb friendly nuts with 4 grams of carbs or less per serving.
3. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs keep for up to a week in the fridge, making them a good time-saving snack option for a low-carb diet. One egg has 6 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of carbs. Stock up on egg-coloring kits at the after Easter sales and turn your low-carb snack into a fun weekend activity for your kids.
4. Veggies With Dip
Bite-size pieces of carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoli and peppers make for a healthy, low-carb snack and are perfect for dipping. Cheese, onion and ranch dip with 3 grams of carbs or less per 2-tablespoon serving make tasty accompaniments to your veggies. Salsa and peanut butter also work. If you're looking for a carb-free dip for your veggies, guacamole is a good choice.
5. Turkey Roll-Ups
After the kids go to bed, likely all you want to do is relax and watch TV or read a good book. But you also might want a snack – and not one that takes a lot of time or effort to make. Why not simply roll turkey slices with lettuce leaves or julienne carrots? One roll-up has just 2 grams of carbs. Dip it in mustard for extra flavor. Sliced ham and roast beef make good roll-up meats too.
6. Zucchini Pizza
Everyone likes pizza. Make it low-carb and snack-size using zucchini slices as your crust. Slice zucchini into thick rounds, toss in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the zucchini rounds on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2 minutes, then flip over and broil the other side for 2 minutes. Take the zucchini rounds out of the oven, top with sauce and mozzarella cheese, and then return them to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly. One round has 2.5 grams of carbs.
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Writer Bio
Jill Corleone is a registered dietitian and health coach who has been writing and sharing her love of food, nutrition and health with anyone who'll listen for almost 20 years. Her work has been featured on the Huffington Post and Diabetes Self-Management.