If you are a parent of a child living with type 1 diabetes, you are likely aware of everything your child is eating. The more carbs your child consumes, the trickier it becomes with counting carbs and matching the timing and dosing of insulin. Yes, it can be done, but offering kid-approved low-carb snacks in the home can provide your child with great healthy options while making blood sugars easier to manage.
Here is our list of top the 20 low-carb and kid-approved snacks:
-
- Vegetable slices dipped in hummus. Don’t limit yourself to carrot sticks. Celery slices, boiled broccoli and cauliflower florets, and cherry tomatoes taste good with hummus, too.
- Lettuce wraps or boats with your favorite protein. Lettuce goes well with any stir-fried or saucy chicken, pork, fish, or seafood dishes.
- Assorted nuts. Have your kids make their trail mix using pecan, peanuts, pine nuts, macadamia, and walnuts, all of which have less than 5 g of carbohydrate per a 28-gram serving. Add in cacao nibs for a bitter, chocolatey flavor.
- Low-carb fruits. Watermelon, avocados, strawberries, honeydew, cantaloupe, and peaches have less than 10 g of carbs for every 100 g. With their natural sweetness, your kids can finish their share without complaining. Add some sugar-free cool whip to add some excitement to your fruit salad.
- Smoked salmon cucumber bites. No cooking required; simply slice cucumbers, spread the cream cheese mixture, and top it with salmon. It’s light, creamy, easy to prepare, and always a hit.
- Chia pudding. Chia seeds are recognized as a superfood with the nutrients and vitamins you get for just an ounce (28 g) of serving. Most of its carbohydrates are fiber, which doesn’t raise your blood sugar.
- Salted edamame. Just boil, steam, or microwave these protein-loaded goodies and that’s it. You can also shell them and add seasoning for more flavor. Either way, that’s no-fuss preparation for a nutritious snack option.
- Greek yogurt. Serve it with fresh raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries to help mask the bitterness of the yogurt. You can also use it as a good base for calcium-rich fruit smoothies.
- Eggs. Fried, hard-boiled, omelette — you can have it any time of the day. You can also get creative and make egg muffins if you want to sneak in spinach, bell pepper, and other vegetables into your snacks.
- Low-carb vegetables with dressing. Cherry tomatoes with a balsamic drizzle, cucumbers with ranch dressing, and raw carrot slices with sesame dressing are some options you can easily whip up for your kids.
- Celery and peanut butter. They make a perfect combination for a nutrient-rich snack. Kids love anything crispy and creamy, and this option satisfies their preference without the unnecessary sugar from store-bought sweets.
- Meat and cheese kabobs. Skewer cubes or slices of meat, cheese, pickled or fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives, and you have a yummy rainbow on a stick.
- Cheese sticks. You can’t go wrong with the assortment of cheese sticks offered these days. Level it up by turning them into mozzarella sticks using almond flour.
- Chocolate Smoothie. Have kids take control and add their favorite fruit and flavored greet to create this healthy refreshing snack. Add a scoop of protein to make it even more health beneficial.
- Burnt Cauliflower and blue cheese dip- If your child likes wings and blue cheese, they are sure to like this for their new sporting event viewing!
- Buffalo chicken wings. Whether using a conventional oven or an air fryer to get that extra crisp, naked chicken wings tossed with buffalo sauce and butter (served with ranch or blue cheese and perhaps some celery sticks) are sure to be a protein-rich hit.
- Beef Jerky. Another protein-packed snack that is easy to eat on-the-go!
- Avocado/Berry Smoothie. Take advantage of the creamy texture of avocado (as well as the nutrient and heathy fats boost!) and incorporate some of this fruit into your next smoothie. Add in some almond milk and berries, or get even more creative with it.
- Muffin in a mug. Who doesn’t love muffins? In just about a minute in the microwave, you can create your own delicious snack. Try this or this recipe to start, and then have fun making your own variations!
- Chaffles. If you haven’t yet heard of a Chaffle, you need to try it. With so many different variations, this fun snack, with nutrient- and protein-packed eggs as the star player, is sure to be a winner.
All of these snacks are great options to enjoy while in the home or even at school or while socializing at a friend’s house. Having low-carb tasty options will reduce the stress associated with managing blood sugars and allow your child to focus on having fun!
About the Author
Allison Caggia is a content marketing specialist who currently serves as the Editorial Director at Diabetes Daily. Allison spent nearly a decade in publishing at Hearst Corporation and Time Incorporated, among others. After being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2013, Allison became an active member and expert in the Diabetes Online Community, educating herself while providing daily support to others with diabetes and their loved ones. Allison is passionate about health and fitness, an avid CrossFitter, and has participated in type 1 athletic events around the country. Allison is married with two children and resides in Long Island, New York.
