Popcorn in paper bag on wooden table ()
Whether you are trying to lose a few pounds or just trying to eat more protein/fiber and less sugar, there are some tasty low-carb treats out there. These featured treats contain less than 15 net carbohydrates (carbs). Net carbs are carbohydrates absorbed by the body and can amount to fewer than the “total” amount of carbohydrates in food and drinks.
*I am not a doctor or a nutritionist; always talk to your doctor when you change your diet or exercise program. These are just some yummy treats that I enjoy.*
1. IQ Bars
I recently discovered these tasty treats. They come in a variety of flavors such as lemon berry, matcha chai and almond butter chip. I am currently working my way through the seven-flavor sample pack, and I have yet to be disappointed. These bars cater to a variety of lifestyles: They are vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly. The bars’ contents vary by flavor, but the Almond Butter Chip bar contains three net carbs, 12g of plant-based protein and 1g of sugar.
My spouse and I recently began a re-watch of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, and nothing goes better with those two-hour-plus movies than some crunchy popcorn. However, traditional microwave popcorn has a lot of butter and salt, and it is easy for me to eat an entire bag by myself as I mindlessly ponder with Jack Sparrow where all the rum went. I get the 100-calorie individual bags, so I don’t overindulge. Each 100-calorie bag contains eight net carbs, 1g of protein and 0g of sugar.
I like to have a variety of salty and sweet flavors in my meals. These little trays of nuts, cheeses and dried fruits satisfy that need. My Balanced Break of choice is the sharp white cheddar cheese, cashews and raisin medley. It pairs great with my morning cup of coffee for a filling breakfast. This Balanced Break contains 12 net carbs, 7g of protein and 8g of sugar.
Whether you were a Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs or maybe Peanut Butter Crunch kid, Catalina Crunch can help you satisfy that childhood nostalgia without tons of sugar. I like to end my day with a bowl of these cereals topped with almond milk (also lower-carb). Like the IQ bars, these cereals are vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly. A bowl of Cinnamon Toast Catalina Crunch contains five net carbs, 11g of protein and 0g of sugar.
5. Quest Cheddar Blast Cheese Crackers
These tasty, crunchy, cheesy squares go well with lunch or make a great treat when you are craving something salty. I like to pair them with pickles and sandwiches made with low-carb bread or tortillas for a quick, easy and yummy lunch. They contain five net carbs, 10g of protein and 1g of sugar.
Bonus: Lower-Carb Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato
I love a delicious Frappuccino or pumpkin spice latte; however, in their unaltered state, these tasty treats are loaded with sugar. While there are plenty of articles on the internet to help you order lower-carb Starbucks drinks, I used the Starbucks Nutrition Calculator to help me navigate this one. There are Starbucks drinks with fewer carbs and grams of sugar than this one, but this is one of my personal favorites. This caffeinated treat contains roughly 14 net carbs, 0g of protein and 16g of sugar. You can use the app to customize your drink or tell the barista:
Grande Iced Caramel Macchiato *Sub coconut milk* *One pump of vanilla syrup* (the standard is three) And, yes, you get to keep the caramel drizzle on top (just don’t order extra).
For DoD ID holders in the KMC area, I have found these items in the on-installation commissaries and coffee shops or had them delivered to my APO address.
