High Protein Low Carb Snacks – Will Snacking Sabotage Your Weight Loss?
Hi Fellow Low Carbers!
Today I want to talk to you about snacking in between meals. There are lots of delicious high protein low carb snacks you can eat in between meals. But should you snack in between meals? Will it affect your weight loss efforts? Some people say yes, others say no.
In my experience, snacking in between meals, has always left me obsessed with food. On the other hand, not snacking in between meals has left me hungry and afraid that I won’t make it to the next meal. Now, this may not be the experience of others, but it was my experience.
Still…
For some people, snacking in between meals is a necessity. Since I refer to Atkins a lot (my favorite low carb diet), I’d like to tell you what Atkins suggests. Atkins suggests having 3 meals per day and 2 snacks. Here’s why.
Why Snacking In Between Meals Is Helpful
According to Atkins, snacking in between meals helps:
- Prevent you from eating everything in sight at dinner
- Stop you from hijacking the doughnut cart at 4 p.m.
- Prevents blood sugar dips – which causes cravings
Do You Have To Snack?
No. But at a minimum, you should be eating 3 meals per day. Try adding 2 snacks initially. Some people do best with 4 to 5 meals per day. Others do well with just 3. So try having your high protein low carb snacks initially. Then do an experiment. Try eliminating 1 of those high protein low carb snacks and see how you feel.
If you’re not hungry, try eliminating the 2nd snack. If you find you’re fine with just 3 meals, then do that.
Will Snacking Sabotage Your Weight Loss Efforts?
Not necessarily. For some people, like me, snacking in between meals always left me obsessed with food. So snacking doesn’t work for me. Also, it depends on what kinds of snacks you’re eating and how much. If you’re eating high protein low carb snacks in between meals (and not huge portions) then snacking won’t sabotage your weight loss efforts.
What Kinds of Low Carb High Protein Snacks Should I Eat?
Well, there are so many, but I’ll list a few here. I’m also going to post a separate page of high protein low carb snacks that I think you’ll enjoy! But here are a few. Some require minimal cooking, while others don’t need cooking at all.
- Bacon Jalepeno Wrapped Poppers
- Chicken Zoodle Soup
- Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
- Pepperoni Slices and Cheese Cubes
- Bacon and Cream Cheese Bites
- Italian Sub Roll Ups
- No Crust Pepperoni Pizza
- Copycat Cheese It Crackers
- Pickle Roll Ups
- No Crust Pizza Bites
I hope this answers your questions about snacking in between meals. You really have to find what works best for you. Please leave your comments below. Does snacking work for you? Did you try making any of these high protein low carb snacks? How did you like them? I love hearing from my readers.
Megan
I have found a great snack for work when I hit the 3pm slump – greek yoghurt, fresh passionfruit and mango! Yummo – yesterday I was eyeing off the cake in the work lunchroom but instead went to the fridge to get this snack out. After I had eaten it, the cake held no appeal! I don’t know what I’m going to do when mango season ends.
shalisha
@Penelope: You’re right! Snacking does help some people stay on track!. Thanks for stopping by.
Penelope
I think snacking is a great way to STAY on a diet plan, too – it’s just like putting gas in a car or watering a plant. We’ve gotta take care of our bodies so they take care of us, and food is fuel. Simple, right? thanks for all the great recipe ideas!
Megan
I hear you on snacks! I find when I am on a “diet” that I am obsessed with food. I dream about it and just want to devour everything. What I find works best for me is having a clear menu-plan with everything pre-prepared so I don’t grab the wrong snacks. Do you have any high protein, low-carb vegetarian snacks to recommend?
shalisha
@Melody: Great point! Some people can do it with ease, and others can’t. But not snacking in between meals is definitely doable.!
Melody Hatampa
Eating 3 meals a day is simple. It takes a little more planning if you work out during the day, like make sure your lunch is a little later if you plan on going to the gym after work. I don’t snack, but if I did, they would be weighed just the same as my other food as to not get into mindless eating.