• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Grocery List for Low Carb Snacks & Food

O

Omnipod

Well-Known Member
Messages
533
Location
West Sussex
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi All.
I need to go low carb but have no idea what to buy off the shelf snack wise.

Im also looking for easy meals.

What items do you buy from Tesco that does not take any prep or cooking?
 
Low carb snacks are typically things like
- olives
- cheese
- nuts
- seeds
- pepperami
- pork scratchings

But, I am interested, as a Type 1, why do you NEED to go low carb?
I was diagnosed 20 years ago, have no complications, a HBA1C of 40 and do not allow diabetes to dictate my diet - I eat the same as someone (e.g. my partner) without diabetes.
 
It's quite hard work. My levels go through the roof in the middle of the day if I eat carbs but plummet at about 4 if I have insulin on board so low carb lunches help.

Making your own helps but otherwise cheese, slices of ham, nuts (some of the nut based protein bars are ok), eggs, chicken legs.
 
Omnipod said:
Hi All.
I need to go low carb but have no idea what to buy off the shelf snack wise.

Im also looking for easy meals.

What items do you buy from Tesco that does not take any prep or cooking?
Click to expand...
It would probably help if you mentioned the sorts of snacks you prefer because, even on LC there are LOTS of options out there.

I’m not a slacker, so my personal knowledge will be limited, but there are lots of folks out there familiar with all sorts of protein bars and such like.
 
Here's some things on my keto shopping list:
- Greek yoghurt (10% fat - important it is Greek, look for <4g/100g carb content)
- Peanuts (important to check, should be ~7g/100g carbs, some have flavours that add significantly)
- Almonds/Hazelnuts/Macadamias/Walnuts; avoid cashews (~20% carbs!) and pistachios
- Raspberries or blackberries
- tuna mayo
- Boiled eggs
- most cheeses
- double cream for coffee as a treat
- Prawns/smoked fish
- Salami (check some as a few have carbs added, avoid meatballs and similar as often 10% carbs)
- cut meats
- pork scratchings/chicken skins
- avocados
- bacon
- meats/fish

Obviously many of these you cannot buy off the shelf, but some pre-cooked options you can find in places more frequently now (cooked meats/smoked fish; boiled eggs, etc)
 
jddukes said:
Here's some things on my keto shopping list:
- Greek yoghurt (10% fat - important it is Greek, look for 100g carb content)
- Peanuts (important to check, should be ~7g/100g carbs, some have flavours that add significantly)
- Almonds/Hazelnuts/Macadamias/Walnuts; avoid cashews (~20% carbs!) and pistachios
- Raspberries or blackberries
- tuna mayo
- Boiled eggs
- most cheeses
- double cream for coffee as a treat
- Prawns/smoked fish
- Salami (check some as a few have carbs added, avoid meatballs and similar as often 10% carbs)
- cut meats
- pork scratchings/chicken skins
- avocados
- bacon
- meats/fish

Obviously many of these you cannot buy off the shelf, but some pre-cooked options you can find in places more frequently now (cooked meats/smoked fish; boiled eggs, etc)
Click to expand...
Thanks for your great advice
 
@Omnipod - your Id suggests your a pump user - when its working right, you should be able to cope with most foods Ok without big peaks (assuming you're not eating high carb all the time.

There are a list of reasons that may not be working for you:
1. Basal rates set wrongly
2. I:C ratio incorrect
3. not pre-bolusing
4. infrequent site rotation (so insulin is resisted)
Low carb does help get round a problem with the insulin not working well (as you need less insulin to do its 'thing' and return you to normal levels) and has loads of other benefits - but if you're having trouble with high BGs as a pump user, the main problem could be somewhere other than just diet - just a thought.
 
Omnipod said:
Hi All.
I need to go low carb but have no idea what to buy off the shelf snack wise.

Im also looking for easy meals.

What items do you buy from Tesco that does not take any prep or cooking?
Click to expand...
I am not Type 1 but my go to snacks areusually a small handful of either Walnuts or Pecans or a square of Lindt 85% dark chocolate :)
 
Hi
Just a thought.......

Have a look at what time you take your insulin in relation to the peaks and troughs of your bg levels.
If levels go v high then drop quickly take your insulin earlier to balance it out.

Also theres no mention of what you are doing in the afternoon activity wise?

I'm on my feet alot in the afternoon due to work so have to factor this in.

I only mention this as many of the food products listed can be quite expensive.

Please dont think i'm criticising as i'm just giving you an alternative view.

I wish you well

Tony
 
Back
Top