The silly season is coming to an end, and we all know what that means—it's time to try to convince ourselves and our friends that this year we're definitely sticking to our new year's resolutions. These new year resolutions inevitably take the form of 'read more, drink less and lose weight'. And while there's not much we can do to help with the first two, we can definitely help you out with that third goal.
With new year's resolutions fresh on people's minds, it's a great time to start exploring different diet options, and one that has been enjoying some popularity in recent years is the keto diet.
Now, we're not dieticians, so we're not advocating for any particular diet. That is something for you to explore, preferably with the help of an expert, but if that is the path you're going down, you're going to want to know about high protein keto snacks.
What is keto?
It's an extremely low-carb diet that aims to force the body into a state of ketosis. This is a metabolic state in which the body is deprived of carbohydrates, forcing it to draw on your fat reserves for energy. It's therefore seen by some to be a very effective way to lose weight.*
*Results vary, and we do not recommend undertaking this diet without guidance from a qualified doctor or dietician.
How is ketosis achieved?
It's achieved by eliminating carbs from your diet, such as breads, grains and sugars. It also involves keeping a very close eye on other foods such as milk, broccoli and other vegetables as they also contain small amounts of carbs.
Instead, high protein foods form the basis of the diet, including foods that are rich in healthy fats. Ultimately it's a pretty restrictive diet because after eliminating all foods with carbs, you're really only left with meat, eggs, cheese, nuts and vegetables. People therefore need to get creative with recipes and snacks to keep their food interesting.
So let's take a look at some delicious high protein low carb keto snacks that you can use to keep your diet fresh and interesting.
Veggie sticks with nut butter
Using veggies like carrots, celery and capsicum as sticks for dipping has always been a staple at parties, but most dips aren't keto-friendly snacks. However, replacing regular dips with peanut butter, cashew butter, or almond butter will make this snack suitable for a keto diet. Nut butters are a good source of healthy fats, making them a great keto snack.
Just be sure to check the label of the nut butter that it contains 100% nuts with no added sugar.
Keto sushi rolls
As you can probably imagine, these are just like regular sushi rolls but without the rice. Fish is a great source of protein and healthy fats, so simply fill your seaweed sheets with fresh veggies and smoked salmon or another protein of your choice and you have a delicious keto snack. Just be careful with marinades and dipping sauces as some of them do contain sugars.
Beef jerky
Is beef jerky keto compatible? You betcha! Provided it's good quality, real beef jerky made from MSA grade topside beef, then it is absolutely compatible with the keto diet. Many store bought beef jerky brands do not make keto suitable products though. Check out our blog on beef jerky vs candy jerky to learn the difference. Candy jerkies are often full of sugar and other additives so it's essential you avoid them and instead stick to the proper stuff.
How much protein is in beef jerky? There are almost 7 grams of protein in every 10 grams of beef jerky, so it's one of the best high protein low carb snacks available. In fact, whatever diet you may be on, beef jerky is the perfect snack when you're trying to achieve weight loss or boost your protein intake.
Hard-boiled eggs
It's a humble snack, but it gets the job done. There's really no nonsense when it comes to hard-boiled eggs. Protein-rich and full of healthy fats, eggs are a healthy addition to anyone’s diet. Sprinkled with a little sea salt, or perhaps dipped in your favourite hot sauce, it's as pure a snack as you can have.
Greek yoghurt with fruit, nuts and pumpkin seeds
You do have to be a little careful with this one if you're on a keto diet. Fruits are generally high in sugars, however there are a handful which are considered keto-friendly.
These include strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Add a sprinkle of nuts and seeds and this makes for a delicious breakfast or snack, as well as boosting your protein and calcium intake.
Shop our Keto-friendly beef jerky online now!
Whether you’re going full blown keto, or are just on the hunt for some healthy, filling snacks, we hope this article has helped you. As long as you opt for low carb ingredients, there are plenty of ways you can put together high protein snacks that are compatible with a keto diet. Here at The Jerky Co, we pride ourselves on making high quality beef jerky and biltong products that won't conflict with your dietary requirements, so jump on our online store and grab yourself a delicious snack that won't ruin your new year's resolution!