Low Carbohydrate Snack Ideas for Diabetes

Children with diabetes often have to pay attention to how much carbohydrate they are eating throughout the day. Too many carbs could lead to hyperglycemia and require more insulin. Too few carbohydrates or too much insulin could lead to hypoglycemia. 

To keep things simple, insulin is dosed based on 15g units of carbs. This is why snacks with less than 15g of carbs can be great ways to get through the day without spiking or crashing the blood sugar.

Remember to watch for carbohydrates labeled as “total carbohydrates” on the nutrition label. If the food contains dietary fiber, you can subtract those grams to get the total. Click here for more on reading nutrition labels for diabetes.

deli meats and cheese

Snacks with ~0g of carbohydrate per serving:

1. Deli roll-ups: meat, cheese, pickles

2. Cheese sticks

3. Hard-boiled eggs

4. Sugar-free jello

Snacks with <15g of carbohydrate per serving:

These foods have small amounts of carbohydrates. Pay attention to serving size and total carbohydrates to make sure these snacks stay under 15g.

1. Mixed nuts

  • 20 pieces = 7g carbs

2. Veggies

Mix & match your child’s favorites

  • Veggies: bell pepper, celery, carrots
  • Dip: guacamole (3g), ranch (2g), hummus (6g), peanut butter (7g)
    • Grams of carbohydrates calculated for 2 Tbsp of dip

3. Popcorn

Most brands are under 15g of carbohydrates, but make sure to double-check the nutrition label for flavored varieties.

  • 1 cup = 3g carbs

4. Beef Jerky

This can feel like a more substantial and filling snack than others, so is great for between meals

  • 1 stick = 1-3 g carbs

5. Full-fat Yogurt

Plain yogurt has fewer carbohydrates, but most single-serve flavored yogurts are less than 15g of carbs as well. This is great for a sweet tooth after dinner or a mid-morning snack

  • 1/2 cup = ~ 5g carbs

6. Cottage cheese

A great source of protein and can be mixed with a variety of toppings

  • ½ cup = 3g carbs