Low Carb Snack Ideas

If you’ve read any of my previous articles, you might already know that my Hidradenitis triggers are gluten and processed sugar (besides stress, anxiety, and depression). Whenever I have anything with gluten or processed sugar, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be flaring within the week. It may sound awful, but honestly, I feel very lucky to know my triggers and even more lucky that there are just two major food ones. Oh, elimination diet, you are tedious but damn effective.

Since gluten and processed sugars are my no-gos, I still have a lot of wiggle room with what I can eat and I have personally benefited greatly from going low carb and doing the keto diet. You may be thinking, “What’s the difference between low-carb and keto?” and “what do you eat when you’re doing them?” Well, let me tell you! In this article, I’ll discuss the difference between low-carb and keto and also my favorite low-carb snacks!

What is the difference between low-carb and keto diets?

Please remember that everybody is different and what are triggers for me might not be triggers for you and vice versa. Like I said, I feel very lucky to only have gluten and processed sugar on my food trigger list and also that I am able to benefit from keto.

Since gluten and processed sugar are the enemy, I consume a lot of nightshades, poultry and fish, red meat, fats, dairy, and spicy food. A lot of my snacks will involve these things which might potentially be triggers for you. Please proceed with caution and remember that Hidradenitis is not one rule that fits all.

“So, what’s the difference?” you’re probably wondering. Well, it’s all about fats, carbohydrates, and protein count!

Keto is short for ketosis, which is the state your body gets in when it starts burning your stored fat because it doesn’t have enough carbs to burn. In order to put your body in ketosis, you need to have below 50 grams of carbs in a day, while having a diet that’s high in fats and moderate in protein.

Low carb means that you are having a low carb count, but your body doesn’t go into the state of ketosis. Being low carb is considered to be consuming between 50-150 grams of carbs in a day.

What foods don't trigger my hidradenitis suppurativa?

I can’t lie - I am a huge snacker. Before my Hidradenitis diagnosis when I would eat the world and not care, I would consume so many potato chips, Cheez-its, cookies, cakes, and really if it was in the snack aisle, I wanted it! Well now that all those things are my triggers, I had to find other things I could have! Here are some of my favorite snacks when I’m doing low-carb/keto.

Green bell pepper with cream cheese and hot sauce

Seriously, don’t knock it until you try it! I cut a green pepper in half, clear out the seeds, and then schmear cream cheese on it as if it was a bagel. Hot sauce on top. It is so good and probably my go-to!

Snack bars

They make so many low-carb/keto snack bars and they really help my chocolate, granola, or fruity fix! Some of my favorite brands are Atkins, Good-to-Go, and Munk Pack. I definitely recommend the Good-to-Go Raspberry Lemon bar! It tastes just like a Fiber One bar and I don’t understand how it’s keto, but thank goodness it is!

Almonds

I love salted almonds. They’re quick, easy on the go, and super filling!

Keto ice cream

That’s right! They have low-carb ice cream out there! Enlightened and Rebel make great flavors and you seriously won’t even realize you’re having something low-carb. Enlightened Butter Pecan and Rebel’s Cookies and Cream are insanely good!

Cold cut roll-ups

Super easy and it reminds me of when I was in kindergarten. What could be better or more wholesome? I just take a piece of salami, ham, or turkey, put a piece of American cheese on it, and then roll it up altogether. Dipping in mustard is optional, but encouraged.

Cold cut green pepper sandwich

A green bell pepper will never be bread, but it doesn’t make me flare, so I’ll have it stick around for a little while longer, methinks. But seriously, repeat the first few steps of the cream cheese/hot sauce pepper from above. But instead of cream cheese and hot sauce, put cold cuts with mustard or mayo! So good and so flare-proof.

String Cheese

Does this even need an explanation?

Other HS-friendly foods:

• Beef jerky
• Yogurt (Ratio brand)
• Quest protein bars and chips
• Pickles
• Olives
• Pepperoncini’s

Comment below with your favorite HS-friendly snacks!

What triggers your HS flares?