In this guide, we put the spotlight on the best high-protein, low-carb snacks available today. Learn the best all-day energy foods to fuel your active lifestyle.
1. Steve’s Grass-fed Zero Carb Beef Jerky
2. Steve’s Buffalo Chicken Jerky
3. EPIC Provisions Beef Liver Bites
4. Moon Cheese “Cheddar Believe It” Snack Bites
5. Shrewd Food Baked Cheddar Protein Puffs
Scientific studies show that adding more protein to your diet can help you stay full longer, reduce cravings, boost your metabolism, and support lean muscle mass[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18469287/][https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566799/].
And keeping your carb intake in check helps prevent sugar crashes, high blood sugar, and weight gain[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16436102/].
But like any healthy habit, eating the right foods consistently can be challenging. When you’re busy or on the go, the convenience factor can seem like a good reason to reach for unhealthy ultra-processed snack foods or stop for low-quality fast food — even if you know better.
The best solution is to keep healthy whole food snack options on hand so there’s simply no need to resort to unhealthy options.
In this guide, we put the spotlight on the best high-protein, low-carb snacks available today.
All of the products included for review have:
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At least 10 grams of high-quality protein per serving (up to a whopping 24 grams!)
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Less than 3 grams of net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) per serving with zero sugar added
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Bold flavors and satisfying textures (healthy doesn’t have to mean bland or boring!)
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No artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, or questionable ingredients
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Ethical, sustainable, and trustworthy sourcing
Keep reading to learn the best all-day energy foods to fuel your active lifestyle when you need it the most!
1. Steve’s Grass-fed Zero Carb Beef Jerky
Our company is a family-run business with a focus on high-quality, whole food ingredients. We got our start over a decade ago making healthy, delicious snacks for athletes and active people.
We donate a portion of our proceeds to our nationwide sister nonprofit, Steve’s Club, to support the mission of helping disadvantaged kids build authentic self-worth and life skills through strength training.
Steve’s Grass-fed Beef Jerky is a handcrafted, small batch jerky with zero added sugar and a simple ingredients list. It’s made from sustainable New Zealand beef ethically and humanely raised on Silver Ferns Farms.
Nutrition Facts (per 57g serving):
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Calories: 123 kcal
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Protein: 24 grams
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Carbs: 0 grams
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Total fat: 3 grams
Ingredients: Beef Jerky (Grass-Fed Black Angus Beef, Sea Salt, Paprika, Beet Powder, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder).
What customers are saying about Steve’s Grass-fed Jerky:
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“In all my 40 years, I’ve never tasted beef jerky that I liked. Until now. I’m in the process of a sugar detox, so I figured I’d try it. One package (2oz) is supposed to be one serving, but I actually split it up into two snacks with a small piece of fruit each time. It’s delish!! Because there’s no artificial anything in this jerky, it doesn’t have that gross chemical taste. It was so good, I’ve already ordered more. Based on the flavor and quality, it’s worth it.“ -Amy (Verified Buyer)
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“Great taste and I feel great eating it! I’ve ordered this jerky many times, love it! Mildly spicy, nice flavor, thick and meaty. I like to keep it with me wherever I go to get a boost of protein. I tend toward hypoglycemia and this grass-fed jerky is just the ticket. I’ve just reordered to always have it on hand.” -Will (Verified Buyer)
Bottom line: With 24 grams of high-quality protein, Steve’s Grass-fed Jerky is satisfying and perfect for supporting a healthy lifestyle. It’s 100% free of preservatives, MSG, soy, and other ingredients to avoid.
Start with the most popular Original Jerky with Sea Salt, or try our Spicy Zero-Carb Jerky if you’re feeling adventurous. If you follow a low-carb, high-fat (keto) diet, add some Original Nut Butter to hit your ketogenic macros perfectly on the go.
2. Steve’s Buffalo Chicken Jerky
Steve’s Buffalo Chicken Jerky is our flavorful, keto-friendly take on classic buffalo chicken wings. With all the spice and none of the mess of the restaurant favorite, it’s an ideal choice for busy days when you’re craving something bold, or if you prefer to limit your red meat intake.
Nutrition Facts (per 57g serving):
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Calories: 105 kcal
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Protein: 24 grams
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Carbs: 0 grams
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Total fat: 1 gram
Ingredients: Chicken Jerky (Free-Range Chicken Breast, Sea Salt, Paprika, Beet Powder, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Vinegar).
What customers are saying about Steve’s Buffalo Chicken Jerky:
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“As a busy single dad doing his best to raise a family on a healthy diet, this one is a must-have to keep on hand.” -Dorian (Verified Customer)
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“Before I went low-carb, I was something of a flavor junky. That meant that in the past I would pretty much follow my taste buds, which didn’t usually lead me to healthy choices. This is honestly the only keto-friendly snack I’ve found that meets my macros, and of course can also satisfy my occasional need for a spicy taste treat.” -Rachel (Verified Customer)
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“I keep it in my purse as a backup snack in case any unexpected cravings hit (disclaimer: if you work with others, be sure to also keep a toothbrush and paste or some zero sugar mint gum, because the seasoning is STRONG).” -Susan (Verified Customer)
Bottom line: If anyone tells you that eating healthy is boring, they haven’t tried this jerky. And a full 24 grams of protein per serving is plenty to provide lasting feelings of fullness and support recovery, even for the most active individuals.
Try Steve’s Buffalo Chicken Jerky risk free with our “no questions asked” 60-day money back guarantee, or stock up with the economical 16-ounce Buffalo Chicken Jerky pack— guaranteed to satisfy even the most extreme cravings.
3. EPIC Provisions Beef Liver Bites
EPIC Provisions is an Austin, Texas-based, high-protein meat snack company founded by Taylor Collins and Katie Forrest, “recovering vegetarians” who became unwell after eating a plant-based diet low in fat and high in soy.
After seeing the error of their ways, Taylor and Katie began offering innovative snacks including Beef Liver Bites and Maple-glazed Salmon Bites (which unfortunately didn’t make the cut here because the maple syrup glaze has too many carbs — too bad).
EPIC Beef Liver Bites Nutrition Facts (per 6 pieces or 28g):
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Calories: 90 kcal
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Protein: 10 grams
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Carbs: 2 grams
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Total fat: 4.5 grams
Ingredients: Grass-fed beef, grass-fed beef liver, sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, cultured celery powder, garlic powder.
What customers are saying:
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“These are so good and so good for you! I carry a bag in my purse and snack throughout the day for the energy it gives me. I can’t stand the taste of beef liver cooked, but I want more beef liver in my diet for the B12, intrinsic factor and bioavailable copper (there’s good copper and bad copper, look it up!). I’ve been taking dessicated beef liver pills, but nothing makes me feel as good as these bites.“ -SBL
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“First of all, I was looking for an all natural way to add the liver in my diet for the health benefits without having to cook and eat just liver or take pills. These have a hint of liver flavor not too much as to ruin the flavor but also a tad bit of spice jerky taste that is pretty darn good without too much heat because I don’t do well with a lot of spicy. They are not tough to chew like some jerky is which is a plus for me.” -MJM
Bottom line: Liver isn’t for everyone, but don’t knock these bites until you try them. They’re flavorful and extremely nutrient-dense, and we think companies like Epic Provisions deserve tons of respect for offering a healthy, innovative product that supports regenerative grazing practices.
4. Moon Cheese “Cheddar Believe It” Cheese Snack Bites
Moon Cheese sells dehydrated cheese snack products, which are tastier than they may sound at first. Their name is apparently a double pun based on the fable that the moon is made of cheese, and astronaut food. Their motto is “Answering the call of hunger with a healthy crunch.”
Sitting directly at the intersection of indulgent snack foods and low-carb keto-friendly options, the “Cheddar Believe It” snack bites deserve their place on this list because they’re made from real cheese with no unnecessary ingredients and offer a respectable ratio of protein to carbs and fat.
Nutrition Facts (per 30g serving):
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Calories: 170 kcal
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Protein: 11 grams
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Total carbs: 1 gram
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Total fat: 14 grams
Ingredients: Cheddar cheese (Pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, annatto (vegetable color)).
What customers are saying:
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“I love this cheese. I’ve had other brands that were tasty, but they incorporated egg white and were hard. They far-surpassed crunchy and were just hard. The texture of this brand is softer yet still crunchy, and there are no other ingredients. Just cheese. It’s a bit pricey for what it is, though good cheese, itself, has always been pricey. It’s a nice protein snack to have now and then. Definitely good for travel,and gluten-free.” -S.K. Harrell
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“My snack craving is always something crunchy like potato chips, Cheetos, nuts and things in those categories and I love cheese. A friend introduced me to Moon Cheese at her place during an afternoon of movies on a snowy day and I came home and went straight to order. They are crisp, delicious and healthier than my usual snack choice. The problem is, I can’t just ‘snack’ on Moon Cheese, I can’t stop until the bag is finished. It’s an expensive habit but so good.” -Sparkle
Bottom line: Cheese snack bites are basically just cheese in an extremely convenient form, which is both a strength and a weakness. It’s a strength because cheese is awesome, but it’s a weakness because cheese isn’t exactly a staple food for a healthy diet.
Enjoy, but be sure to round out your diet with other sources of protein, healthy fats, and veggies, and watch your calorie intake unless you’re following strict keto (in which case you can likely get away with eating your fill of high-fat cheesy foods).
5. Shrewd Food Baked Cheddar Protein Puffs
Shrewd Food is a keto-friendly snack company specializing in low-carb, high-fat replacements for foods that people sometimes crave on the keto diet. Their Baked Cheddar Protein Puffs are patterned after “the nostalgic cheese puff flavor from your childhood” (unless your parents didn’t allow you to eat cheese puffs, of course).
While it’s not always wise for everyone to seek out direct substitutes for junk food, the Cheddar Protein Puffs caught our eye because they contain added milk protein to provide a higher protein content than regular cheese, and their macronutrient ratios are legit.
Nutrition Facts (per 21g serving):
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Calories: 90 kcal
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Protein: 14 grams
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Carbs: 2 grams
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Total fat: 3 grams
Ingredients: Milk protein isolate, natural cheddar cheese seasoning (whey, cheddar cheese [pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], salt, natural flavors, butter, contains 2% or less of: annato & paprika extract (for color), yeast extract, non-fat dry milk, sodium phosphate, citric acid, lactic acid power, sodium caseinate, safflower oil, sunflower oil.
What customers are saying:
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“I LOVE these! They are very similar in texture to a cheese puff but even crunchier. But not overly crunchy like Moon Cheese is. The flavor is amazing, doesn’t taste ‘diet’ at all. It’s measured by weight but my first package had 27 nice sized puffs which makes it 3.3 calories per puff. Amazing for anyone on a diet especially keto. Will definitely be buying more.” -Sarah
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“I’m on a low carb diet, but I need chips in my life. Nuts work just fine, but sometimes you need that crunchy, salty, delicious bite of a chip. The crunch of this product is great, the taste is really good, and there’s more in a bag than you suspect. I end up eating just a few here and there throughout the day. My only negative is there is a bit of an after taste with these that is easily dispelled with a couple drinks of water.” -Wolf
Bottom line: We were skeptical at first, but adding milk protein to cheese snacks makes perfect sense, and customers love the texture and flavor. The amount of protein is impressive, especially considering there are only 90 calories per serving.
If we could change one thing, it would be to replace the safflower oil and sunflower oil (inflammatory omega-6 fats), but at least they’re only present in very limited quantities. As long as you balance them out with high-quality omega-3s, it shouldn’t be an issue.
Closing Thoughts
When you’re away from home or have time constraints, there are surprisingly few truly healthy options for low-carb, high-protein nutrition.
Of course, that’s not to say you can’t pack your own for an economical alternative to packaged snacks. Solid DIY choices include:
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Hard-boiled eggs (for three: 18 grams of protein, 0 carbs, 15 grams of fat),
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Plain full fat greek yogurt plain (per cup: 18 grams of protein, 5 grams of carbs, 10 grams of fat), or
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Uncured deli meat along with cheese, mixed nuts, or low-carb nut butter.
However, none of those options are as portable, convenient, or tasty as our top picks for high-protein, low-carb snacks.
For the best of both worlds, you really need to combine a solid meal prep strategy with strategic stashes of snacks so you have healthy options available no matter whatever life throws at you.
Can’t make up your mind about which snacks to keep on hand? Our delicious Jerky Sampler Pack is a great deal, and you’re guaranteed to love it or your money back — return any time within 60 days of purchase, no questions asked.
