Your success on the keto diet is completely reliant on your consistency to its restrictions. You will be able to reach your weight-loss and health goals by being committed to both your planning and new restrictions. There’s no downplaying the importance of planning your meals to avoid hiccups in your progress. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to meal prep for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, but it does mean you should have a pretty good idea what you will be eating for each meal. Everything you now put into your body should be for the sole purpose of pushing your body into becoming a fat burning machine. Maintaining this fat burning state, also known as ketosis, is the requirement to have success on the keto diet. If you want to reap the many health benefits of the keto diet you need to be very conscientious of what you’re consuming, even if it just a midday snack. So what can you snack on guilt-free?

The keto diet includes you eating many satiating foods, or foods that will get you full and keep you there. As a result of those satiating foods required by the diet, you may find you’re not craving snacks as much as you usually do. But when the snack cravings strike (and if you’re a snacker like me, you know they eventually will), it’s best to have a sound plan in place. Especially because your favorite snacks such chips, candy bars or any of the processed packaged foods in your office vending machine, will erase your previous hard work and kick you right out of ketosis. Many of these popular snack foods nowadays are loaded with way too many carbs or sugars to fit into your new diet plan. This can be particularly frustrating when you’re trying to ward off that morning or afternoon between meal hunger. If you’ve found yourself in this nutritional predicament, don’t you worry! Your solution? Keep a bunch of easy snacks in the back of your mind so you’re prepared when hunger hits. Here are some of my favorite snacks to help me fight midday hunger, while keeping me responsibly in ketosis.

1. Nuts

Nuts are some of the most convenient and quick keto snacks available. Appropriate for almost any occasion, nuts are full of protein, fat, fiber, and plant compounds that offer a variety of health benefits. In fact, some research associates a higher intake of nuts with a reduced risk for heart disease and cancer-related death. Remember some nuts are much higher in carbs than others (like peanuts, cashews, and pistachios). Nut butters can be a health-fat alternative to nuts, but stay away from any nut butters that have added polyunsaturated oils or vegetable oils. Almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, and pecans are some of my favorite options for a keto-friendly trail mix (just be careful not to eat the whole bag!).

2. Jerky

Fat? Protein? Low carbs? Beef jerky checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s another quick and convenient keto option you can easily bring along with you for most occasions. It’s important to warn you this one off by saying, please don't buy the type of cheap jerky at your local gas station. Make sure the brand you choose includes zero or very low-carb with very few added ingredients. Be cautious of anything with added sugars, as that will kick up the carb content. Make sure to check out the various options are your local market, and don’t be afraid to try new brands!

3. Olives

If you’re looking for a snack that needs zero preparation, look no further than an olive jar. The perfect salty and fat filled snack to power you through to your next meal. Olives have long been praised for their rich supply of heart-healthy fats, which is just one reason why they make a great keto snack. Stuff a few in your mouth between emails, or combine them with your favorite meats and cheeses for a keto macro-rich snack.

4. Pork Rinds 

There’s nothing I miss more to snack on than some of the most convenient snacks ever; potato chips. Obviously, it's important to stay away from the carb filled bags of potato chips we all grew up with when partaking in keto, but this transition may become easier if you can find a keto-friendly alternative. Hello pork rinds! Pork rinds are the perfect snack for when you’re craving something crunchy, quickly. They’re very high in fat and low in both carbs and protein. Keep in mind that many pork rinds are low-quality and fried with nasty oils so look for your best option.

5. Hard Boiled Eggs 

Eggs are a phenomenal keto snack because they have one of the lowest energy-to-nutrient-density ratios of any food. They’re rich in good fats (make sure you don’t skip the yolk!) and a solid source of high-quality protein. Each egg has 5 grams (g) of fat, 6 g of protein, and 0 g of carbohydrates keeping you well within your macro restrictions and actively still in ketosis. The best part about hard boiled eggs is their convenience. Hard boil a bunch over the weekend and keep them in your fridge for any occasion. Grab one or a couple for breakfast on the go!

6. Cold Cut & Cheese Rolls

Love cold cuts? Love cheese? Then I’ve got the perfect quick and easy snack just for you! Simply roll some of your favorite fat-rich cold cut lunch meat around a full-fat cheese, and then wrap that around a nice piece of lettuce (I like to add very little mayo and mustard as well). This works well for a quick keto snack or for a lunch idea!

7. PBH Snacks 

It doesn't get any quicker, or easier than this. Delicious freshly baked, keto-friendly goodies that can be delivered right to my door? Sign me up! There is nothing I miss more since starting keto, than freshly baked treats. It’s torture for me to see the honey buns and poptarts that litter the vending machines at work. Thankfully, PBH has made it possible for me to enjoy all of my favorite best-tasting desserts that I thought I had to give up. With delicious options like keto toaster pastries and donuts, you’ll never have to stare at the vending machine jealous anymore! You’ll absolutely love our keto-friendly cookies as well! Check out our website to view all of our keto-friendly goodies we can ship right to your door!

What are some of your favorite convenient and keto-friendly snacks?