Top 4 Snacks for Healthier Eating (Keto-Friendly!)
Do you ever get that irresistible urge to snack on something delicious and crunchy in between meals, but are worried about weight gain that comes along? We’ve got you covered! Keto-friendly snacks are perfect solution as they have far less calories compared to carb-packed snacks, but they are just as delicious…
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Keto is short for the term “ketosis”. In a nutshell, ketosis means that your body has made a major switch in its energy source. If there is a severe lack of carbs and sugars in the diet, it soon starts burning your fat reserves for essential fuel instead with the use of ketones. A long time ago, this happened quite often due to the periodic times when there was a lack of food available, thus it kept people alive for weeks. Luckily, times have changed dramatically. Our brains and bodies, however, are hardwired for survival and have retained this ability to go into that state of ketosis.
Years of extensive studies and research have found that, if done correctly and responsibly, forcing your body into ketosis in conjunction with daily exercise is very effective with significant weight loss, especially if you’re very overweight. Snacking on keto – friendly and low carb options is also very helpful for diabetics and pre – diabetics as well.
Time to get your snack bowls ready. Listed below are some of the most well loved keto and low carb friendly snacks that are a great combo of yummy, healthy, easy to make and guilt free.
Flaxseed Crackers With Cheese
You may have believed that all crackers are off limits on the keto diet, but the good news is, that’s entirely untrue. Ground flax seeds are not only very low in carbs, they’re also loaded with fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which makes them a great option for keto-friendly crackers. Pair the crackers with sliced cheese or cream cheese, and you’ve got a healthy and delicious keto snack that requires minimal preparation. You can make flax crackers yourself or skip the baking process and buy a bag instead.
Alternatively, if you don’t like the taste of flaxseed, you can try buying or baking almond flour based crackers instead. Also, if you’re lactose intolerant, natural organic peanut butter or chicken strips would make great options as well.
Veggie Sticks With Guacamole
Guacamole and veggie sticks to dip into it can make a great and super healthy keto snack. Avocados are loaded with good HDL fats, fiber, and an impressive dose of essential nutrients. In fact, on average, avocados provide you with 15 grams of fat and 24% of the DV of fiber per 3.5 ounce cup (100-gram) serving. For the veggie sticks, you have a variety of choices, such as sweet bell peppers, carrots, red radishes, celery, or broccoli.
It’s easy to make guacamole in your own kitchen – all you need to do is mash up one perfectly ripe avocado, combine it with lemon or lime juice and chopped red onion, along with some salt and pepper. If you enjoy a good amount of spiciness, fresh jalapeño makes an excellent addition to the guac dip too.
If you’re in a pinch or don’t have any avocados ready to mash up, you can find pre-made and individually packaged guacamole at a market or health food store instead. If you’re not a fan of avocados, you can use tahini or melted cheese.
Roasted And Salted Trail Mix
It can be hard to resist that enticing bowl of salted and buttered popcorn, but if you’re serious about Keto, then that’s off the menu. Instead, why not try a mix of roasted, salted and buttered nuts? Nuts are particularly rich sources of protein, fat, fiber, and plant compounds that offer a variety of health benefits. In fact, some research has found that a higher intake of nuts can reduce risk of heart disease and cancer-related death.
Just 1/4 cup (28 grams) of mixed nuts provides approximately 15 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, and 2 grams of fiber. You can buy pre-packaged mixed nuts or create your own mix using your favorites. If you do go for the premade option however, don’t forget to first check the label for any added sugar and other bad ingredients that aren’t compatible with your diet plan.
Almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, pistachios, walnuts, and pecans are all good options for your own customized keto-friendly trail mix. Other nutritious additions to your “healthy popcorn” include sunflower seeds, hemp hearts, cacao nibs, and coconut.
Mini Egg, Cheese And Veggie Muffins
Mini egg muffins, also known as frittatas, are another fantastic keto-friendly snack that’s fun, tasty, easy to prepare and fully customizable. All you need to get started is:
● a dozen eggs
● standard 12-cup muffin pan
● mixing bowl
● mixing spoon
● an oven
First, beat the eggs in a bowl and season with a little salt and pepper. Then, pour and distribute the egg mixture evenly between each muffin cup and add your preferred low-carb ingredients. Some excellent choices include spinach, mushrooms, red onions, tomatoes, and any cheese you desire. Then bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 15–20 minutes.
Exact carb count and nutritional value of each frittata varies, depending on what you add to your recipe. One frittata (170 grams) typically provides up to 320 calories, 14 grams of protein, and 21 grams of fat. Be sure to store them in the refrigerator so you can easily grab a few on your way out, or bake a few batches and freeze them for another occasion.
Alternatively, if you prefer, you can fill your frittatas with chicken or turkey instead of cheese.
