If you’re looking to reduce your child’s daily carbohydrate intake, one way to do so is by replacing their conventional snacks with low-carb items that taste equally delicious. You also need to make sure that these snacks are packed with fat, protein, and micronutrients that keep them energized and healthy.
Choosing the best low-carb snacks doesn’t have to be difficult. Here’s a list of convenient and homemade options that can be enjoyed after school or on the go.
What Are the Benefits of Low-Carb Snacks for Kids?
Snacking on low-carb foods instead of white bread, french fries, and potato chips helps them gain better control over their blood sugar levels. This is particularly useful for kids who have diabetes or may be at risk for it.
Another benefit is that low-carb snacks is that they support a healthy weight while satisfying your child’s hunger, thanks to their protein and fat content. Some snacks are also high in fiber, which supports digestion and increases gut microbiome diversity.[*]
Try These 9 Low-Carb Kid-Friendly Snacks
Whether your child craves something crunchy, savory, sweet, or creamy, here’s a list of delicious snacks for a low-carbohydrate diet.
1. Cheese bites
Cheese doesn’t just taste wonderful, but it’s nutrient-rich and provides notable benefits, such as bone strength and the prevention of osteoporosis (for parents).[*] Unless kids have a dairy intolerance, cheese bites are safe and healthy snacks! Cut assorted cheese and serve on a kid-friendly charcuterie board or grab one of Käze Cheese’s flavor infusions made from real cheese.
2. Berries with whipped cream
Blueberries contain only 9 grams of net carbs while strawberries have only 5 grams of net carbs per ½ cup serving. That’s why berries are considered keto-friendly. For a delightful snack, serve a handful of fresh blueberries or strawberries (or combine them) and add heavy whipping cream. Heavy whipping cream is a source of saturated fat, which may have a positive effect on heart health, according to recent research.[*]
3. Dark chocolate
Add dark chocolate to your list of low-carb after-school snacks. Yes, it can definitely fit into a low-carb, high-fat diet as long as it comprises at least 70% cocoa. The higher the percentage of cocoa solids, the less sugar it has. Replace regular milk chocolate with Lily’s dark chocolate variety pack with roasted almonds, sea salt, and cocoa butter.
4. Deviled eggs
Deviled eggs or stuffed eggs as afternoon snacks help them to stay full until dinner time. Add mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika to the egg yolk and mash them. Make it even more interesting by cutting red pepper and green pepper into different shapes or animal faces and assembling them on the yolk. Your kids will love them.
5. Bento box of their low-carb favorites
What are some good low-carb snacks for picky eaters? Make your own bento box with assorted treats. Depending on the number of compartments, add some egg muffins, almond nuts, avocado slices, cucumbers, broccoli, Greek yogurt, and Käze Cheese bites. Bento boxes are portable and they add an element of fun to low-carb snacking.
6. Strawberry avocado smoothie
Summertime or not, a low-carb fruit smoothie is always a good idea. Here’s a delicious recipe that combines fresh strawberries, avocado, and almond milk. For sweetness, add stevia or allulose. Keto-friendly nut butters are also tasty add-ins to thicken the smoothie, boost its flavor, and increase its fat content.
7. Almond butter
With only 5 grams of net carbs per serving, this vanilla-flavored almond butter can be used as a dip for freshly cut veggies, an ingredient for smoothies, or eaten straight out of the pouch. It also provides 15 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein for satiety. If you’re looking to replace your kids’ high-carb and sugary treats with a keto-friendly alternative, this will work!
8. Homemade fat bombs
Fat bombs are bite-sized snacks that provide lots of fat in one serving. If your child is on a keto diet, they can consume fat bombs to get an energy boost at any time of the day. With no baking required, combine and blend almond butter, pecans, almonds, and almond milk. Cocoa powder or chocolate chips are also an option if you want to achieve a chocolate flavor.
9. Salad topped with cheese bites
Salads can also be kid-friendly diabetic snacks as long as they combine the right ingredients that don’t spike blood sugar. Low-carb ingredients include shredded lettuce, chicken breast, diced cheese, hardboiled eggs, mustard, and mayo. For an extra crunch, sprinkle some of our cheese bites on top!
The Bottom Line
These are just some of the best low-carb snacks for kids to choose from. As you can tell, finding or making healthy snacks from scratch doesn’t have to be difficult, even with picky eaters. Whenever they need an energy boost but you don’t want to give them unhealthy treats, offer one of these instead.
For more low-carb snacks, check out our article about the best keto travel snacks, best keto salty snacks, best keto movie snacks, and the best low-carb snacks for busy people.
