50 Easy, Low-Carb Homemade Snacks for Diabetics (Below 15g Carb)

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Enjoy snacks for diabetics with just 15g carbs, 2-4 simple ingredients, and ready in under 5 minutes—easy, delicious, and blood sugar-friendly!

Struggling with cravings and hunger even after meals? It’s easy to grab the wrong snacks, leading to blood sugar spikes that leave you feeling worse.

Store-bought options may seem convenient, but many hide extra sugars and carbs, making them less than ideal for blood sugar control.

That’s where my homemade snacks for diabetics come in—they’re low in carbs and sugar (just under 15-20g per serving) and, best of all, can be whipped up in 5 minutes or less, so you can snack guilt-free while staying full and energized.

These snacks for diabetics are designed to satisfy cravings without the blood sugar spikes, keeping you fueled and in control.

Still love the convenience of store-bought snacks but not the hidden sugars? Check out my top 40 low-carb picks—high protein, high fiber, and blood sugar-friendly.

I’ve checked the labels, so you don’t have to!

Choosing the Right Snacks

To make it easy to understand, let’s break it down into quantity and quality.

Quantity: How many carbs for a diabetic snack?

There’s no magic number for how many carbs are best for diabetes snacks—I wish there was! It would make a diabetic diet so much more straightforward.

But the ideal amount depends on your body size, activity level, appetite, and hunger cues.

However, I’d suggest starting with this:

I’ve included portion sizes in my list below to help you enjoy snacks without going overboard.

Once you’ve measured your blood sugar and can tolerate 15g of carbs, you can gradually increase to 20g and measure again.

This step-by-step approach helps balance blood sugar while avoiding overly strict carb restrictions.

You should also consult your dietitian for a more personalized plan.

Not sure what a 15g carb serving looks like? No prob! This picture has all the info you need!

Learn more: How to Count Carb for Diabetes (by American Diabetes Association)

Quality: What is the best snack for a diabetic?

Now that you know you can start with 15g of carbs, keep in mind that 15g of bad snack choices can still spike your blood sugar.

The best snacks for diabetics are balanced, combining complex carbs, protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep blood sugar steady and keep you full longer.

Protein, healthy fats, and fiber slow the digestion of carbs, leading to a gradual release of sugar into your bloodstream. This helps prevent sharp spikes and keeps your blood sugar more stable for longer-lasting energy.

1. Maintains Steady Blood Sugar Levels – with up to 40% reduced spikes
2. Boosts Energy Levels
3. Promotes Long-Lasting Satiety
4. Curbs Cravings

You’ll see that all my 50 snack ideas are simple 2-4 ingredient combos with protein, carbs, healthy fats, and fiber.

50 Low Carb Homemade Snacks for Diabetes

What is the best snack for diabetics?

Vegetables

1. 1/2 cup roasted edamame with a sprinkle of sea salt
2. 1/4 cup guacamole with 5 bell pepper strips
3. 1/4 cup hummus with 5 celery sticks
4. 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms with garlic and 1 tsp butter
5. 5 cucumber rounds with 1/4 avocado, mashed, and a sprinkle of hemp seeds
6. 5 cherry tomatoes with 1 oz feta cheese and fresh basil
7. 1/4 cup salsa with 5 baked tortilla chips
8. 5 cucumber slices with 1 oz smoked salmon and 1 tbsp cream cheese
9. 1/2 cup roasted cauliflower bites with 2 tbsp tzatziki sauce
10. 5 olives with 5 mini dill pickles

Fruits

11. 1/4 cup cottage cheese with a sprinkle of cinnamon and 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
12. 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with a few raspberries and 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
13. 1/4 cup guacamole with 1/2 apple slices for dipping
14. 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with 1 tbsp sunflower seeds and diced strawberries
15. 1 tbsp almond butter with 1/2 small apple, sliced
16. 1/4 cup ricotta cheese with a few blackberries and a dash of vanilla extract
17. 1/4 cup cottage cheese with 1/4 cup peach slices and pumpkin spice
18. 1 tbsp almond butter on 1/2 small pear, sliced
19. 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with a few blueberries and 1 tbsp chopped walnuts
20. 1/4 cup low-fat whipped cream with 1/4 cup fresh berries

Animal Protein

21. 2 oz beef jerky with 5 baby carrots
22. 2 oz tuna with 1 tbsp Greek yogurt and celery, served on 3 cucumber rounds
23. 3 turkey meatballs with 1 tbsp marinara sauce for dipping
24. 1 oz smoked salmon with 5 cucumber slices and 1 tbsp cream cheese
25. 1 hard-boiled egg with a dash of paprika and 5 cherry tomatoes
26. 1 small turkey burger patty with 1/4 avocado, mashed
27. 2 oz chicken breast with 2 tbsp salsa and 5 bell pepper strips
28. 1/2 cup shrimp cocktail (3 oz shrimp with 2 tbsp low-sugar cocktail sauce)
29. 3 slices turkey wrapped around 1 string cheese
30. 3 oz grilled beef strips with 5 cherry tomatoes

Nuts and Seeds

31. 1/4 cup almonds with 5 carrot sticks
32. 1 tbsp almond butter in 3 celery sticks, sprinkled with 1 tsp chia seeds
33. 1 tbsp peanut butter on 5 apple slices
34. 1/4 cup cottage cheese with 1 tbsp chia seeds and a few blackberries
35. 1/8 cup mixed nuts with 5 cucumber rounds
36. 1 oz walnut halves with a few carrot sticks
37. 1/4 cup cottage cheese with 1 tbsp chopped pistachios and 1/4 cup berries
38. 2 tbsp tahini as a dip for sliced cucumber or celery sticks
39. 1/8 cup granola with 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
40. 1 oz pecans with a sprinkle of cinnamon

Whole Grains

41. 3 whole-grain crackers with 2 tbsp cottage cheese and black pepper
42. 1/2 cup air-popped, unsalted popcorn with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast
43. 1 slice whole-wheat toast with 1/4 avocado, mashed
44. 5 baked tortilla chips with 1/4 cup guacamole
45. 2-3 whole-grain pretzels with a thin layer of Greek yogurt-based dip
46. 1/4 cup overnight oats with a few sliced strawberries
47. 3-4 whole-grain rice cakes topped with a thin spread of almond butter
48. 1/2 whole-grain pita with 1 tbsp guacamole or mashed avocado
49. 1 oz granola with 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
50. 1 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) with 5 almonds

(BONUS +7) High-Protein Beverages

51. Protein Shake
    • 1 scoop protein powder (whey, casein, or plant-based) mixed with 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or water.
52. Greek Yogurt Smoothie
    • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt blended with 1/2 cup spinach, 1/2 small banana, and water or unsweetened almond milk.
53. Chocolate Milk
    • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk with 1 tbsp cocoa powder and a scoop of protein powder mixed in.
54. Nut Butter Protein Shake
    • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 tbsp natural peanut butter, and 1 scoop of protein powder blended together.
55. Soy Milk
    • 1 cup unsweetened soy milk, which typically contains around 7-10g of protein.
56. Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
    • Blend 1/2 ripe avocado, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, and 1 scoop protein powder for a creamy drink.
57. Chia Seed Protein Drink
    • Mix 1 tbsp chia seeds in 1 cup unsweetened almond milk with 1 scoop protein powder and let sit for 10 minutes before drinking.

Tips for Managing Cravings

Managing cravings was tough for me!

I’m a big fan of McDonald’s fries (GI = 75), but with one medium serving hitting 50g of carbs—three times the recommended amount—letting them go wasn’t easy.

Here’s how I managed the transition.

1. Stay Ahead with Balanced Meals
   • If your main meals are satisfying, you’re way less likely to crave sugary or carb-heavy snacks later.
2. Gradually Transition to Healthier Options
   • Instead of cutting out your usual snacks all at once, start with one swap at a time or combine old favorites with new options.
   • I started with half French fries and half zucchini fries, then gradually cut down from there.
3. Hydrate First
   • Often, thirst is mistaken for hunger or cravings. Try drinking a glass of water when a craving hits.
4. Reach for Protein-Packed Snacks
   • Protein helps keep hunger at bay and stabilizes blood sugar. Like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or nuts.
5. Indulge a Little (Mindfully!)
   • Allow yourself a small portion of what you’re craving.
   • Indulging in a controlled way helps prevent feelings of restriction—and can stop cravings from growing stronger.
6. Distract Yourself
   • Sometimes cravings hit out of boredom or habit, especially in the afternoon or evening.
   • Take a quick walk, call a friend, or dive into a hobby you enjoy (not a very productive idea, but mine was computer games).
7. Opt for Healthier Alternatives
   • When a craving strikes, look for a healthy swap.
   • Craving chips? Try crunchy kale chips. Miss Oreos? Dark chocolate-dipped almonds. And frozen chocolate milk for ice cream.
8. Don’t Skip Meals
   • Skipping meals can actually make cravings worse by causing blood sugar to dip and then spike later.
9. Get Enough Sleep
   • Lack of sleep messes with hunger hormones, making you more prone to cravings, especially for carbs and sugar.
10. Practice Mindful Eating
    • Eating slowly and with intention makes it easier to enjoy the flavor and feel satisfied with a smaller amount.

Conclusion

I was always hungry, and those cravings hit HARD!

But these smart snacks for diabetics were my lifesaver. They kept me satisfied without spiking my blood sugar.

If you’re dealing with similar cravings, I highly recommend grabbing my Low Glycemic Index Food List, the most complete one you’ll ever find Google-wide!

It features 650+ foods, including vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, dairy, seasonings, sweeteners, and even common foods.

This list will help you make smarter snack choices and better manage your cravings while keeping your blood sugar in check.

Stay fueled and satisfied with the right options!

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