Low Carb Snacks for Kids

Snacks not only play an important role in managing kids' hunger, but they also boost nutrition and energy. Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy. However, instead of eating sugary snacks like candy, chips and soda, which provide empty calories and contribute to being overweight or obese, provide kids with healthy low-carb snacks. Low-carbohydrate foods made from fruits, vegetables and whole grains are a healthy snack option, especially for obese and diabetic children.

Tomato Basil Pizza

• Pizza contains a lot of carbohydrates. However, there is a way to make it a healthy low- carbohydrate snack for kids. Use one-half whole wheat English muffin, low-sodium tomato sauce, skim mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and tomatoes to make a quick tomato basil pizza. It contains 154 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrates. You can add ham or chicken to provide more protein.

Taco Popcorn

• Taco popcorn is an after school or movie snack that has 9 grams of carbohydrates. It takes 15 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to bake in the oven. Cumin, garlic powder, onion and cayenne pepper add a spicy flavor. This low carbohydrate snack serves six, has 45 calories, 1 gram of fat and 2 grams of fiber.

Strawberry Cheese Tart

• Sweet snacks do not have to be avoided if they are made with healthy and nutritious ingredients. This strawberry cheese tart contains 109 calories, 4 grams of protein and 11 grams of carbohydrates. It uses light margarine, reduced-fat cream cheese, fat-free yogurt, egg substitute and fresh strawberries. Frozen strawberries are also a healthy option.

Banana Yogurt Popsicles

• Teaching kids how to cook can be a way to help them learn about healthy eating. Children can make this snack alone or with little supervision. They only need two bananas, low-fat vanilla yogurt, Popsicle sticks, wax paper, a plate and a blunt knife. This recipe serves four and contains 75 calories and 16 grams of carbohydrates.

More Low Carbohydrate Snacks

• There are a variety of foods that can make healthy low-carb snacks for kids. Try these snacks that contain less than 5 grams of carbohydrates: three celery sticks and 1 tbsp. of peanut butter, five baby carrots, one hard-boiled egg, one string cheese stick, and 1 cup of cucumbers or five cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp. of ranch dressing. These snacks have about 10 to 20 grams of carbohydrates: one-half cup of almonds or other nuts, one small apple or orange, 1/3 cup hummus with 1 cup of raw, fresh vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cucumber, celery, cauliflower or a combination of these, and 1/2 cup tuna salad with four whole wheat crackers.