The Best Examples of Low-Carb Snack Ideas for Weight Loss

Real-life examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss

Let’s skip the theory and start with the fun part: actual food. Here are real examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss that people use every day to stay satisfied between meals.

Think of these as mix-and-match building blocks rather than a strict plan. You can adjust portions to fit your calorie needs, but the basic idea stays the same: high protein, moderate healthy fat, low in refined carbs and sugar.

Some of the best examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss include things like Greek yogurt with nuts, veggie sticks with dips, and simple cheese-and-protein combos. We’ll break these down with details so you can see how they fit into your routine.

High-protein dairy and dairy-style snacks (examples include Greek yogurt & cottage cheese)

If you like creamy, filling snacks, dairy is your friend. Here are examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss built around high-protein dairy:

Plain Greek yogurt with toppings
Choose plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt (2% or full-fat tends to keep you fuller). A typical 5.3 oz (150 g) single-serve cup of plain Greek yogurt has around 6–9 grams of carbs and 15–18 grams of protein.

Stir in:

• A small handful of walnuts or pecans
• A sprinkle of chia or flax seeds
• A few raspberries or sliced strawberries for flavor

You’re getting protein plus healthy fat, with far fewer carbs than a flavored yogurt full of added sugar. The NIH notes that higher-protein diets can support satiety and weight management when paired with an overall calorie-controlled approach: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4258944/

Cottage cheese snack bowls
Cottage cheese is another workhorse. A half-cup serving of full-fat cottage cheese gives you about 12–14 grams of protein and roughly 3–5 grams of carbs.

Try these combos:

• Cottage cheese + cucumber slices + everything bagel seasoning
• Cottage cheese + cherry tomatoes + a drizzle of olive oil and black pepper
• Cottage cheese + a few berries + unsweetened coconut flakes

These are all excellent examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss that feel more like mini-meals than diet food.

Cheese sticks or cheese slices
String cheese or pre-sliced cheese is easy to pack. Pair one or two sticks with:

• A few slices of turkey or chicken breast
• A small handful of almonds or pistachios

You get a satisfying mix of protein and fat that can steady your blood sugar and help with appetite control.

Veggie-based examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss

Non-starchy vegetables are naturally low in carbs, and they give you volume, crunch, and fiber for very few calories.

Crunchy veggie sticks with dip
Slice up:

• Bell peppers
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Radishes
• Cherry tomatoes (a bit higher in carbs, but still reasonable in snack portions)

Pair them with:

• Guacamole
• Hummus (watch portions if you’re very carb-sensitive)
• Greek yogurt ranch dip (Greek yogurt + ranch seasoning or herbs)

These are simple, everyday examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss that you can prep once and eat all week.

Mini “sandwiches” with cucumber or bell pepper
Skip the bread and use veggie slices instead:

• Thick cucumber rounds topped with tuna salad or chicken salad
• Bell pepper strips wrapped around deli turkey and a smear of cream cheese

This style of snack gives you the feeling of a sandwich without the carb-heavy bread.

Olives and pickles
Olives and dill pickles are low in carbs and make a salty, satisfying side. Pair a small serving with cheese, hard-boiled eggs, or leftover chicken.

Protein-forward snack examples: eggs, meat, and seafood

Protein is your best friend when you’re trying to lose weight without feeling constantly hungry. Here are real examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss centered around protein.

Hard-boiled eggs
Two hard-boiled eggs give you around 12 grams of protein and less than 2 grams of carbs. Keep a batch in the fridge and grab them with:

• A few cherry tomatoes
• A small piece of fruit if your carbs for the day allow
• A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning or hot sauce

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that protein-rich foods can help increase satiety and support weight management when part of an overall healthy pattern: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/

Deli roll-ups
Use nitrate-free deli turkey, chicken, or roast beef if possible. Roll slices around:

• A cheese stick
• Sliced avocado
• A thin smear of cream cheese and a pickle spear

These are one of the best examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss when you need something quick that feels like “real food,” not diet food.

Grilled or baked chicken bites
Use leftover chicken breast or thighs. Cut into bite-sized pieces, season with salt, pepper, and herbs, and store in a container. Grab a small portion with:

• A few baby carrots or cucumber slices
• A spoonful of guacamole or salsa

Tuna or salmon salad
Mix canned tuna or salmon with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, mustard, celery, and spices. Serve it:

• In lettuce cups
• On cucumber rounds
• With a side of sliced bell peppers

These are classic examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss that travel well and pack a lot of protein.

Nut, seed, and fat-focused snack examples (great for on-the-go)

Fat doesn’t make you fat; overeating does. Including healthy fats can help you feel full and satisfied, which may make it easier to stick to your calorie goals.

Nuts and seeds
Almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are all low in carbs compared to chips or crackers. A small handful (about 1 oz) usually contains 4–7 grams of net carbs.

To avoid mindless overeating, pre-portion into small containers or bags. Pair nuts with:

• A cheese stick
• A hard-boiled egg
• A small piece of very dark chocolate (85% cacao or higher) if it fits your plan

Nut butter packets
Single-serve almond butter or peanut butter packets are convenient. Squeeze them onto:

• Celery sticks
• Sliced strawberries or apple (watch portions for carbs)
• A few low-carb crackers

These are portable examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss that work well for travel or long workdays.

Avocado-based snacks
Half an avocado with salt, pepper, and lime juice is simple and filling. You can also mash avocado on:

• Cucumber rounds
• Slices of hard-boiled egg
• A small low-carb tortilla (if it fits your carb target)

Avocado provides fiber and heart-healthy fats, which may support overall health when used in place of saturated fats. The American Heart Association discusses the benefits of unsaturated fats here: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats

Store-bought examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss

You won’t always have time to cook or prep. That’s real life. Here are store-bought examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss that you can grab when you’re busy.

Beef sticks or jerky
Look for options with:

• No added sugar or minimal sugar
• Short ingredient lists

Pair jerky with a small piece of cheese or a handful of nuts to round out the snack.

Ready-to-drink protein shakes
Choose shakes with:

• 15–30 grams of protein
• Under 8–10 grams of net carbs
• Limited added sugar

These can be especially helpful after a workout or when you’re stuck in traffic and starving.

Pre-portioned hummus or guacamole cups
Dip veggie sticks or a few low-carb crackers into single-serve cups. These are easy to keep in an office fridge or pack for travel.

Low-carb yogurt cups
Some brands now offer lower-sugar yogurts sweetened with stevia or monk fruit. Always read labels: some “keto” products still pack more carbs than you’d expect.

These packaged options are practical examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss when cooking isn’t in the cards.

How many carbs should a low-carb snack have?

There’s no single perfect number, but for most people aiming for weight loss on a low-carb style of eating, a snack in the range of 5–12 grams of net carbs is reasonable.

A few guidelines:

• If you’re doing a very low-carb or ketogenic approach, you might aim for snacks closer to 2–6 grams of net carbs.
• If you’re moderately low-carb, you might be comfortable with 8–15 grams of net carbs per snack.

The CDC emphasizes that weight loss comes down to an overall calorie deficit, not just carb count, but low-carb patterns can help some people control appetite and blood sugar: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/index.html

This is why so many examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss focus on protein and fat: they help you stay full on fewer carbs and, often, fewer total calories.

Building your own examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss

Once you understand the formula, you can create your own snacks without a recipe. Think of it like a simple equation:

Protein + Fiber + Healthy Fat = Satisfying Low-Carb Snack

Here’s how to apply it:

Step 1: Pick a protein base
Eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, deli meat, tuna, chicken, tofu, tempeh, protein shakes.

Step 2: Add low-carb fiber
Non-starchy veggies (cucumber, celery, peppers, leafy greens), a small serving of berries, or chia/flax seeds.

Step 3: Add a little healthy fat
Avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil, olives, full-fat dairy.

For example:

• Greek yogurt (protein) + chia seeds (fiber) + walnuts (healthy fat)
• Hard-boiled egg (protein) + celery sticks (fiber) + guacamole (healthy fat)
• Deli turkey (protein) + bell pepper strips (fiber) + a smear of cream cheese (fat)

All of these are simple, realistic examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss you can throw together in minutes.

2024–2025 trends: what’s new in low-carb snacking?

Low-carb eating isn’t new, but the snack world keeps evolving. Here’s what’s trending right now:

Higher-protein, lower-sugar yogurts and puddings
More brands are offering yogurts with 15–20 grams of protein and 5–7 grams of carbs, often with added probiotics.

Keto-style snack foods (with a big caution sign)
You’ll see “keto” chips, cookies, and bars everywhere. Some can fit into a low-carb plan, but many are highly processed and easy to overeat. They might be okay as an occasional backup, but whole-food examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss—like eggs, yogurt, nuts, and veggies—are usually better for satiety and overall nutrition.

Plant-forward low-carb options
More people are blending low-carb with plant-based eating. Think:

• Roasted chickpeas (moderate carbs, but high fiber)
• Tofu sticks with peanut sauce
• Edamame (in the pod, lightly salted)

If you’re vegetarian or just trying to eat more plants, these can be workable examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss, especially if you keep portions in check.

FAQs about examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss

Q: What are some quick examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss I can eat at night?
Good nighttime options include Greek yogurt with a few berries, cottage cheese with cucumber, hard-boiled eggs with everything seasoning, or deli turkey roll-ups with a slice of cheese. These snacks are low in carbs but high in protein, which can help you feel satisfied without a blood sugar spike.

Q: Can you give an example of a low-carb snack under 100 calories?
Yes. A simple example of a low-carb snack under 100 calories would be 1 hard-boiled egg plus a few cucumber slices, or 10–12 almonds, or ½ cup of cucumber and bell pepper strips with 2 tablespoons of salsa. These are small but can take the edge off hunger.

Q: Are protein bars good examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss?
Some are, some aren’t. Look for bars with at least 10–15 grams of protein, fewer than 8–10 grams of net carbs, and limited added sugar or sugar alcohols. They can be convenient in a pinch, but whole-food examples—like nuts, eggs, or yogurt—are usually more satisfying and less processed.

Q: Do I have to snack at all to lose weight on a low-carb plan?
No. Some people do better with three solid meals and no snacks, especially once their appetite stabilizes on a low-carb pattern. Others find that 1–2 planned snacks help them avoid overeating later. Listen to your body and use these examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss as tools, not rules.

Q: Are fruits off-limits for low-carb snacks?
Not necessarily. Lower-sugar fruits like berries can fit into many low-carb plans in small portions. For example, a ½ cup of strawberries with Greek yogurt is a reasonable low-carb snack for many people. Just be mindful of portion sizes and your daily carb target.

If you treat these examples of low-carb snack ideas for weight loss as a menu rather than a strict checklist, you’ll have plenty of variety without feeling deprived. Start with two or three favorites, keep the ingredients on hand, and rotate them through your week. Over time, you’ll naturally come up with your own combinations that fit your taste, your lifestyle, and your goals.