25 Low-Carb Snacks to Beat Hunger Pangs

Snacking gets a bad rap, but here’s the truth—hunger pangs between meals aren’t a character flaw. They’re your body telling you it needs fuel. The problem isn’t snacking itself. It’s that most snacks are basically just sugar and refined carbs masquerading as food, leaving you hungrier than when you started.

I’ve been down the rabbit hole of terrible snack choices. Granola bars that might as well be candy bars. Pretzels that disappear in 30 seconds and do absolutely nothing for actual hunger. Trail mix that’s 90 percent chocolate chips. These 25 low-carb snacks are what I actually keep around when I need something to tide me over without derailing my entire day. They’re real food, they taste good, and most importantly, they actually work.

Why Low-Carb Snacks Actually Matter

When you eat carb-heavy snacks, your blood sugar spikes fast and crashes even faster. That crash makes you hungrier than before you ate anything, which leads to eating more carbs, which leads to another crash. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps you constantly looking for your next fix.

Protein and fat-based snacks break this pattern. They digest slower, keep your blood sugar stable, and actually satisfy hunger instead of just temporarily distracting from it. According to research on satiety and food intake, snacks higher in protein significantly reduce subsequent meal portions and overall daily calorie consumption compared to high-carb alternatives.

Plus, when you’re snacking on real food instead of processed junk, you’re getting actual nutrients instead of empty calories that do nothing for your body.

The Protein-Packed Snacks

1. Hard-Boiled Eggs with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Boil a dozen eggs on Sunday, keep them in the fridge, and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning when you need a snack. Each egg has about 6 grams of protein and enough fat to keep you satisfied.

I use this egg cooker that makes perfect eggs every single time—no green rings, no guessing when they’re done, just consistent results.

2. Beef Jerky

Get the good stuff without added sugar. Real beef jerky with simple ingredients keeps forever, travels well, and delivers serious protein. Check the labels though—lots of brands sneak in tons of sugar.

This is what I throw in my bag when I know I’ll be out for hours and need something that won’t go bad without refrigeration.

3. String Cheese

Grab-and-go protein that requires zero prep. Keep a stash in your fridge and your work fridge. Each stick has about 7 grams of protein and just enough fat to actually count as a snack.

Pair it with some almonds if you need more calories, or just eat two sticks if one isn’t cutting it.

4. Deli Roll-Ups

Spread cream cheese on deli turkey or roast beef, add a pickle spear, roll it up. Make a bunch at once and keep them in the fridge for easy snacking. Get Full Recipe.

These are basically portable protein delivery systems. The cream cheese adds fat that makes them way more satisfying than just plain deli meat.

5. Rotisserie Chicken

Buy a rotisserie chicken, pull the meat off the bones, portion it into containers. Grab some whenever you need a snack. It’s pre-cooked, it’s already seasoned, and it’s way cheaper than buying pre-packaged chicken.

Sometimes the simplest option is the best option. Cold rotisserie chicken straight from the fridge is weirdly good.

If you’re looking for more protein-forward snacks, try these [high-protein meal prep ideas] or check out this [keto-friendly jerky guide] for even more options.

The Crunchy Satisfiers

6. Pork Rinds

Yeah, they sound gross until you try good ones. They’re pure protein and fat with zero carbs, and they scratch that chip-craving itch perfectly. Season them with ranch powder, buffalo sauce powder, or just eat them plain.

FYI, texture matters here. Some brands are light and airy, others are dense and crunchy. Try a few different ones to find your preference.

7. Cheese Crisps

Pile shredded cheese in small mounds on a baking sheet, bake until crispy and golden. They’re basically legal Doritos. Get Full Recipe.

Make a batch and keep them in an airtight container. They stay crispy for days and satisfy that need for something crunchy and salty.

8. Pepperoni Chips

Lay pepperoni slices on a baking sheet, bake until crispy. Dip them in marinara or ranch. It’s like eating mini pizzas without the crust dragging you down.

These are so good that you’ll question why anyone bothers with regular chips. The fat renders out and they get ridiculously crispy.

9. Roasted Chickpeas (In Moderation)

Okay, chickpeas have carbs, but they’re also packed with fiber and protein. Roast them with spices until crunchy. Just watch your portions—a small handful is a snack, the whole pan is a meal.

These satisfy that popcorn craving when you’re mindlessly watching TV and need something to munch on.

10. Almonds and Other Nuts

Raw or roasted almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamias—whatever you like. Nuts are portable, shelf-stable, and loaded with healthy fats and protein. But they’re also calorie-dense, so measure out portions instead of eating from the bag.

I use these small snack containers to pre-portion nuts for the week. Makes it way easier to grab a reasonable serving instead of accidentally eating 500 calories of almonds.

11. Celery with Almond Butter

Slice celery stalks, spread almond butter in the groove. It’s crunchy, it’s creamy, and it’s got that sweet-savory thing going on. Peanut butter works too, but almond butter has a bit more nutrients and slightly fewer carbs.

The celery is basically just a vehicle for eating almond butter, but at least it adds some crunch and makes you feel like you’re eating a vegetable.

For more crunchy options, explore these [keto-friendly chip alternatives] or try this [spicy roasted nuts recipe] when you want something with more flavor.

The Dairy-Based Winners

12. Greek Yogurt with Nuts

Full-fat Greek yogurt topped with a handful of nuts. The yogurt has tons of protein, the nuts add crunch and healthy fats. Skip the low-fat versions—they’re loaded with sugar to compensate for removing the fat.

This is what I eat when I want something that feels like dessert but actually has nutritional value.

13. Cottage Cheese and Cucumber

Dice cucumber, mix with cottage cheese, add salt, pepper, and maybe some dill. It’s fresh, it’s filling, and the cucumber adds crunch without adding many carbs.

Some people can’t get past cottage cheese texture. If that’s you, just skip this one—no amount of convincing will help.

14. Cheese and Olives

Cube some cheddar or gouda, grab a handful of olives, call it a snack. The cheese provides protein and fat, the olives add salt and that satisfying briny flavor.

This is my go-to afternoon snack when I’m working from home and need something fast that doesn’t require cooking.

15. Mozzarella Balls with Cherry Tomatoes

Fresh mozzarella balls with cherry tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. It’s basically a caprese salad in snack form. Simple, fresh, and way more satisfying than you’d expect.

Keep these ingredients on hand and you can throw together a decent snack in under a minute.

The Veggie-Forward Options

16. Cucumber Slices with Cream Cheese

Slice cucumbers thick, top with cream cheese and everything bagel seasoning. The cucumber adds crunch and freshness, the cream cheese makes it actually filling.

This is one of those snacks that feels light but somehow keeps you satisfied for hours. The water content in cucumbers is surprisingly hydrating too.

17. Bell Pepper Strips with Guacamole

Cut bell peppers into strips, dip in guacamole. The peppers are crunchy and slightly sweet, the guacamole adds healthy fats from avocado. IMO, this combo is better than chips and guac.

I use this avocado tool to pit and slice avocados without the knife accidents—makes fresh guacamole way less annoying to prepare.

18. Cherry Tomatoes with Mozzarella

Skewer cherry tomatoes and small mozzarella balls together. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic. It’s fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a random Tuesday afternoon.

Make a bunch at once and keep them in the fridge for grab-and-go snacks all week.

19. Zucchini Chips

Slice zucchini thin, toss with olive oil and salt, bake until crispy. They’re not exactly potato chips, but they’re crunchy and satisfying in their own right. Get Full Recipe.

The key is slicing them thin enough and not overcrowding the pan. You want them to crisp up, not steam.

20. Cauliflower Hummus with Veggies

Regular hummus has chickpeas which have carbs. Cauliflower hummus uses roasted cauliflower instead and tastes surprisingly similar. Dip bell peppers, cucumbers, or celery in it.

This is what I make when I’m craving hummus but want to keep my carb count lower. It’s not identical, but it’s close enough to satisfy the craving.

Speaking of veggie-based snacks, you might also enjoy these [low-carb dip recipes] or try this [roasted vegetable platter] when you need something for entertaining.

The Sweet Treats (That Won’t Spike Blood Sugar)

21. Dark Chocolate Squares

Get chocolate that’s at least 85 percent cacao. Two or three squares satisfy sweet cravings without the sugar crash. The higher the cacao percentage, the less sugar and more antioxidants.

This isn’t the candy aisle chocolate you grew up with. It’s bitter, it’s rich, and you can’t eat a whole bar in one sitting even if you tried.

22. Berries with Whipped Cream

A handful of strawberries or blueberries with real whipped cream. Berries are the lowest-carb fruits, and the whipped cream adds fat that slows down sugar absorption.

Make your own whipped cream—it takes two minutes and tastes infinitely better than the canned stuff full of stabilizers and weird additives.

23. Sugar-Free Jello with Whipped Cream

Make sugar-free Jello, top with whipped cream. It’s basically zero carbs and scratches that dessert itch when you need something sweet after dinner.

Yes, it’s got artificial sweeteners. No, it’s not a health food. But it’s a reasonable option when you want dessert without actual dessert.

24. Keto Fat Bombs

Mix cream cheese, butter, cocoa powder, and sweetener. Roll into balls and freeze. Pop one when you need something sweet and rich. They’re called fat bombs for a reason—they’re pure fat with minimal carbs.

These are clutch for satisfying chocolate cravings. One or two is plenty—they’re incredibly rich and filling.

25. Frozen Berries

Freeze blueberries or strawberries, eat them frozen. They’re like little fruity ice cream bites. The freezing process makes them last way longer and changes the texture in this weirdly satisfying way.

Keep a bag in the freezer and grab a handful when you want something cold and sweet but don’t want to make an actual recipe.

For more sweet snack ideas, check out these [keto dessert bites] or try this [sugar-free chocolate bark] when you need something you can share.

Building Your Snack Strategy

Here’s the reality—snacking only works if you actually plan for it. Waiting until you’re starving and then trying to make good decisions is a recipe for disaster. You’ll end up eating whatever’s convenient, which is usually not the stuff that serves you well.

Prep snacks in advance. Hard-boil eggs, portion out nuts, make cheese crisps, prep veggie sticks. Keep everything in clear containers in the fridge so you can see your options. When healthy snacks are as easy to grab as junk food, you’ll actually eat them.

Keep snacks at work, in your car, in your bag. Life happens in inconvenient places at inconvenient times. Having backup options means you’re not stuck choosing between starving and hitting the vending machine.

Pay attention to what actually works for you. Some people need crunchy snacks. Others need something sweet. Some people do fine with small portions of nuts, while others will eat the entire bag without thinking. Figure out your patterns and plan accordingly.

The Snacking Mindset Shift

After months of eating these snacks instead of carb-heavy options, I’ve noticed my relationship with food has changed. I’m not constantly grazing because I’m actually satisfied when I eat. The protein and fat combo keeps hunger at bay in a way that pretzels and crackers never did.

Snacks should tide you over, not replace meals. If you’re eating so many snacks that you’re not hungry for dinner, you’re snacking wrong. The goal is to maintain stable energy between meals, not to eat all day long.

I’m also way less interested in junk food now. When you get used to eating real food for snacks, the appeal of processed garbage diminishes. That bag of chips your coworker is offering? Not even tempting when you’ve got cheese and pepperoni in your desk drawer.

Your taste buds adjust faster than you’d think. Things that used to taste normal start tasting too sweet or too salty. Real food starts tasting better. It’s wild how quickly your preferences shift when you stop eating ultra-processed foods constantly.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more snack inspiration? Here are some recipes that complement these low-carb snacks perfectly:

More Savory Options:

• [Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers]
• [Crispy Parmesan Zucchini Fries]

Sweet Treats:

• [No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies]
• [Chocolate Avocado Mousse]

Meal Prep Snacks:

• [Weekly Keto Snack Prep Guide]
• [Portable Low-Carb Snack Packs]

Party-Friendly Snacks:

• [Keto Charcuterie Board Ideas]
• [Low-Carb Party Appetizers]

Bottom Line

Low-carb snacks that actually beat hunger aren’t complicated or expensive. They’re real food—protein, healthy fats, and vegetables—that keep you satisfied without spiking your blood sugar and leaving you hungrier than when you started.

Start by keeping a few of these options on hand. See what you actually reach for when you’re hungry. Some of these will become staples, others won’t work for your taste preferences or lifestyle. That’s fine—find what works for you and stock your kitchen accordingly.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s having good options available when hunger hits so you’re not white-knuckling it until dinner or making choices you’ll regret later. When snacking becomes a conscious decision instead of a desperate scramble, you’re way more likely to choose foods that actually serve you.

Now go stock your fridge with real snacks. Your future hungry self will thank you for having options that don’t come in crinkly packages covered in health claims that are basically lies.