Low Carb Grub

Snacking can be difficult when abiding by the low carb diet. Most snack foods are made of carbs, because of the sustainability and taste. While most of your common snack foods are off limits, like chips, pretzels, and bread, there are some that are a good substitutes. Here is a list of the top 10 low carb snacks.

10. Pork Rinds

If you do not know, pork rinds are made from pig skin. Although it sounds appetizing, these snacks taste great and make a great alternative to chips. They are crunchy and can be found in several flavors. They’re also great for dipping.

9. Protein Shake

The common protein shake comes in at number nine on our low carb snack list. Protein shakes make a great for breakfast for the low carber. To make your own, try using milk, peanut butter, and banana. There are also many powders on the market. These are usually whey or soy protein and can contain as few as 4g of carbs per serving and up to 30g of protein per serving.

8. Celery and Peanut Butter

The popular celery and peanut butter comes in at number eight. Celery is one of the lowest carb foods you can buy with 3g of carbs per cup. Combined with a good, natural peanut butter, you have a crunchy, salty snack that all ages will enjoy. Be careful when picking a peanut butter though, some have added sugars that will set you back on your low carb diet.

7. Veggie Dip

Veggie dip can be one of the easiest ways to get a low carb snack in. Most dips found at the grocer are naturally low carb, although making your own tastes much better. For a basic dip, try combining 8oz. sour cream with 8 oz. mayo, ½ onion chopped, and your favorite fresh herb. Cheese can also be added. Dips also store for a very long time in the refrigerator.

6. Eggs

Eggs are cheap and full of protein. Weighing in at 8g of protein and 2g of carbs, the egg comes in at number six. Eggs can be fried in a typical breakfast, but can also be made into egg salad, deviled eggs, or even quiche.

5. Cottage Cheese

Ever heard of curds and whey? Cottage cheese is the curds of the separated milk. This means that it is packed with protein. A cup of cottage cheese contains 6g of carbs and up to 30g of protein. Try adding some toppings if you get bored with regular cottage cheese. Add some berries, paprika, pepper, or even deli meat.

4. Jerky

Protein is the name of the game here. At number four on the low carb snack list, jerky is one of the most convenient snacks. Being dried, it will last for a very long time, and does not need to be refrigerated. You can even make your own with a dehydrator. Simply marinade strips of lean beef and dehydrate for 8 to 12 hours. Making jerky at home will also save you a lot of money.

3. Seeds and Nuts

Seeds and nuts are some great low carb snacks. Being salty and crunchy, they can satisfy that craving when you are grazing the cupboard. Try making your own trail mix, with different varieties of seeds and nuts. You can also buy raw nuts and add your own seasoning and bake them for a custom flavor.

2. Parmesan Crisps

Here is one you may have not heard of. At number two on the low carb snack list, parmesan crisps are easy to make and can be stored just like the chips they will replace in your cupboard. Simply bake small circles of grated parmesan cheese at 400 F for 4-5 minutes. Keep a close eye, they can burn easily.

1. Spinach Chips

Similar to parmesan crisps, spinach crisps take the number one spot. Simply toss some fresh spinach in a little oil, and garlic powder and bake in a 250 F oven for 10 minutes on a cookie sheet. You will not be able to keep these in the house, they go too quick!

Drinking is the easiest way to consume the carbs you need to avoid. Keeping an eye on this is necessary, especially when consuming alcohol. Alcoholic drinks vary in sugar, calories, and carbs. Knowing what to look for and order on your low carb diet is an essential part of the low carb diet. Beer, liquor and wine are the most common alcoholic beverages, and this article will focus on what all three mean to the low carb eater.

Carbs and Beer

Beer can be the worst, when looking at carb counts. Beer can have anywhere from 2g to 25g of carbs per 12 oz. serving. Why such a difference? Beer is brewed differently, so differently, that those same beers range in calories from 55 to 250. So what do you look for? The lighter end of beer is the 55 or 60 calorie beer that is marketed by Miller and Budweiser. Both of these contain around 2g of carbs. The micro brewed and stronger beers are at the higher end of the spectrum. Be careful when ordering these.

Liquor and Carbs

Most strong liquor does not contain any carbs. You heard it right, 0 carbs. The problem is no one wants to drink liquor straight, which is where mixed drinks come in. Diet pop can be used, as well as low sugar juices to cut those unwanted carbs. Most other mixers will contain carbs, including tonic water.


While straight liquor contains 0 carbs, there are diluted liquors that are sweeter, and have added flavors. These are common in mixed shots and some drinks. Flavored rums, vodkas, and even whiskeys can contain up to 22g of carbs per shot.

Water or Wine?

Even wine can be sneaky when counting carbs. While most regular wines are acceptable with 3-6g of carbs per glass, dessert wines and sweet wines are not so low. These can have up to 22g of carbs per serving. A general rule for wine is the more sugar the wine has, the more carbs.


All wines are based on a 5oz. glass.

It’s a hot summer day. You are about to enjoy it at one of the best pastimes of America, the cookout. So, what do you bring? Everyone is tired of those burgers and hotdogs, and you are feeling fancy. You decide to go with the steak. But what do you look for when buying one? Do you want the filet mignon, the king of cuts, at a premium price? Should you go cheaper because it may be tough to grill the filet perfectly? Do you wrap it in bacon? These can be a few of the questions a typical person might ask if they do not know much about cuts. Hopefully this guide will help you choose the right steak in the confusing world of beef cuts.

Buy Responsibly

Steak can range from $4.00/lb. to $30.00/lb. in any given grocery store based on the cut and grade. Grade is important because you can easily tell the quality based on what the USDA has labeled the cut without really handling it. At the top of the grades is prime. Prime beef is of the highest quality, which means better color, and flavor. About 3% of today’s cattle can be classified as prime. Next up is choice. Choice is still very good quality for a cut. It is generally slightly leaner than Prime, which may taste slightly less tender. Select is last up, with less fat and less flavor. This is still considered a “good” quality cut. There are several other grades after select, but for your sake, let’s just say if you don’t see any of these three grades, you should probably go elsewhere to grill a steak. Generally, the more you pay, the more tender the steak.

Know Your Cut

With grades out of the way, there is also many different varieties of steak based on the cut. The cut refers to what part of the body the cut came from. The cow can be segmented into sections, leaving distinct characteristics to each one. This video can give a better demonstration.

The Perfect Low Carb Plate

Letting your steak have the throne on your plate, you need to find a good low carb side to go with it. Naturally vegetables are a great choice over the baked potato. Try grilled asparagus, or a medley with a little butter and seasonings. Remember, you don’t want to out do your steak. If you have a lower quality cut, try making a sauce to add some flavor. A simple one consists of butter, worcestershire sauce, and a little whiskey melted together.

Kobe?

If you have ever heard Kobe used in a non-sport related conversation, they are talking about the holy grail of beef. Kobe beef is one of the more intriguing techniques to harvesting meat. A Japanese cattle rancher will put the cows through the most luxurious of lifestyles. The cow will drink beer, and get a daily message, all while relaxing in the field. The cows are so pampered, their fat content increases, and like we learned before, the more fat, the more flavor.


While you may have had Kobe beef in America, the true Kobe beef is only available in Japan, and a few other Eastern cities. American Kobe beef is from the same breed as the Japanese Kobe, typically bread with Angus. While these are not the true Kobe, they still have similar marbling and flavor. See for yourself.

Fast food can be tough if you are eating low carb. The convenience is too nice. A meal with 30 ingredients can be made for you in less than a few minutes. I will give it to Chipotle, they have it down to a science, like most other fast food joints. Here is an image of the low carb salad made at chipotle for your convenience. They do offer a honey vinaigrette with the salad that is very good. It is excluded from this salad because it does add another 12g. of carbs. Don’t forget the hot sauce!