Let’s face it: the typical office “snack rack” sucks. It's riddled with cheap carbs (e.g., corn, oats, rice), packed with sugar or sugar equivalents (e.g., dextrose), and offers little-to-no nutritional value. In other words, it's a Keto DISASTER!
But hope is not lost. Here are 10 snacks that spare you the “2:30 feeling” – you’ll just likely have to bring them in yourself!
Roasted Seaweed
As long as it isn’t saddled with added ingredients that contribute carbs, roasted seaweed is a super low calorie, nutrient dense keto snack. It’s also great for the brain due to its DHA Omega-3, folic acid, and magnesium content.
Raw Nuts
Virtually all nuts are great for Keto, but we’d recommend two in particular. Almonds are packed with unsaturated fats, vitamin-E and magnesium, and walnuts are an Omega-3 powerhouse. Plus, both are highly energy-dense and satiating – a few handfuls will keep you going for hours.
Jerky (For Non-Vegan Snackers)
Meat jerkies are high in protein, and many (e.g., turkey and chicken jerky) contain brain-boosting amino acids like L-tyrosine, which helps us produce dopamine, a chemical critical for alertness and memory. Just make sure to look for jerkies with short ingredient lists and carb counts of zero (or something close to it)!
Dark Chocolate
Instead of reaching for a third cup of coffee, eat a small portion of dark chocolate to boost your energy through natural flavonoids and caffeine. Just make sure you’re chocolate has little-to-no sugar or is sweetened with a non-glycemic sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. Or just eat a Chocolate Sea Salt IQBAR!
Above-Ground Veggies
Above-ground vegetables like peppers are far lower-carb than below-ground vegetables like potatoes, and thus far more Keto-compliant. Try slicing up a few vitamin-rich peppers and dipping the slices in some high-healthy-fat guacamole!
Pro tip: Store your veggies in a glass jar to maximize freshness.
Berries (In Moderation)
Berries are some of the lowest-carb fruits out there, and are also packed with brain-protecting compounds like flavonoids. Plus, they’re packed with fiber, which slow the impact of the carbs they contain. In moderation, we recommend blueberries in particular – or you can try our Wild Blueberry IQBAR.
Zucchini Chips
If you’re really craving potato chips, try zucchini chips as a healthy alternative. Zucchini is low-carb and mild in taste so you can mix up the topping flavors with every batch. Because zucchini is a rich source of B-vitamins, it can help to boost energy production in the body and reduce fatigue.
Salted Sunflower Seeds
Salted sunflower seeds help you achieve several nutritional needs at once. First, the salt will help you replenish electrolytes (a major issue for Keto dieters). Second, the seeds will keep you energized with healthy unsaturated fats and provide your brain with fortifying vitamin-E.
Half an Avocado
Avocados are nature’s lowest-carb fruit. They’re super high brain-health unsaturated fats, and fiber to keep you full. To spice up your avocado, try topping it with ginger, garlic, or a pinch of sea salt. Or, try adding some olive oil into the hole in the middle!
IQBARs
Of course, we had to include IQBARs on our list! IQBARs are packed with 5 brain-functional nutrients, 12 grams plant protein, and just 2-3 grams net carbs - which means no more afternoon crashes and sustained cognitive energy throughout the day. Try a sampler pack here.
