What are some of the best low-carbohydrate snacks?Good question! Let’s start off by saying that snacking can be a good thing when it comes to weight loss and eating healthy. Snacking between meals helps to stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep your energy and motivation high – extremely important when it comes down to losing weight. For most of us, it's hard to stay focused on activities when you have no energy!
So what should you snack on? What are the best low-carbohydrate snacks to choose from? If you're looking for low-carb foods, non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, cucumbers, celery, cauliflower, green beans), low-fat cheese or cottage cheese, nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews), or peanut butter are some options. Of course, you need to remember that portions count and even though it may be a low-carbohydrate food, it does have calories. It's important to keep that in mind and not overdo consumption in terms of calorie intake.
Snacks or small meals should focus on low-calorie, balanced snack options. Try to include snacks that have high nutritional value and don’t fill you up with simple sugars or excess calories.
My recommendation is if you are looking for low-carbohydrate snacks, keep the carbohydrate intake on the lower side and balance it out with protein and healthy fat. Snacking this way will help to keep your blood sugar from fluctuating up and down and provide your body with the protein (helps your muscles) and fat (provides satiety) it needs. In addition, by including vegetables, whole grains and fruits, you’ll get the added benefit of fiber.
For simple low-carb snacks, try these combinations:
-- Cottage cheese with almonds
-- Peanut butter with celery or a few slices of apple
-- Low-fat cheese with nuts
-- Slice of low-sodium deli meat and low-fat cheese
-- Tuna salad and veggies
We have a lot more snack ideas and recipes on www.ediets.com. Talk with our Nutrition Support Team for more snack options or help with your meal plan. There are so many foods out there to enjoy and work into your plan!
Have a diet question for Pam? Email askpam@ediets.com and check back to see if your question is picked! And if you missed a previous column, click here to see the archive.
When it comes to losing weight, the more you know, the more you lose. eDiets has more than 20 personalized plans and a team of nutritionists and fitness professionals ready and eager to tackle your extra pounds. Click here for a FREE diet profile and see how to lose the most weight!
Pamela Ofstein, eDiets Director of Nutrition, is a registered and licensed dietitian responsible for the development, design and implementation of eDiets nutritional components, including product offerings, nutrition programs and media publicity. She received her B.S. in Food and Nutrition from Florida State University and M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University. Leading a team of nutrition professionals, she continues to widen and enhance eDiets.com personalized services setting the standards to provide credible information to consumers.
Labels: dieting, healthy snacks, low-carb, nutrition
Comment: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 2:38:00 AM - 
said...
I am a diabetic, what is the best diet, low cal orlow carb
Comment: Thursday, April 02, 2009 11:59:00 PM - said...
i too am diabetic and would like to know how i cam curb night cravings..
Comment: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:14:00 PM - said...
To anonymous.
I'm also a diabetic.According to the dietian I saw recently, your daily calorie intake is based on you current wieght and activity. It is best that you take in a certain amount of protein, carbs, fats, fruits and vegetable.
Your intake cannot be too low, you don't want to pass out and you want to lose fat not muscle. Try Breakfast,lunch & dinner with small snack in between.
***Meals and snacks need to be healthy***
***You need to do some exercise, could be 10 minutes here or there.(12 lbs in a little over 3 weeks)
RSS/XML
