Diet | The Artful Gourmet :: Food Stylist | Photographer | Blogger

June 29, 2020December 10, 2022

Favorite #Keto + Low Carb Snacks

Now that #Summer has finally arrived, it’s back to #Keto and #lowcarb eating! Of course that includes lots of salads, no sugar, plenty of grilled steak, chicken, burgers and veggies. But what about the snacks on those days you’re craving something sweet? Or salty? And don’t feel like cooking and making your own low carb munchies? Here’s my shortlist of fav #snacks that will help you stay on your keto/low carb journey all Summer long. You can find most of these on Amazon or the brand’s websites – I’ve attached links below for easy shopping! Stay tuned for my next post with my favorite Keto and Low Carb recipes on the list this month. Enjoy. 🙂

FBOMB Keto Krunch

FBOMB Keto Krunch – made from 100% real cheese and baked into perfect crunchy cheesy bites of goodness. Gluten-free, sugar-free, hormone-free and high in fat and protein and they’ll keep you full all day long. They come in Buffalo, Chili Lime, Cheddar, Parmesan, Salt + Vinegar, Garlic + Herb flavors. buy

FBOMB Nut Butters

FBOMB Macadamia Nut Butter – these are great when you need a quick hit of some extra healthy fat on the go. The macadamia nut butters are only 1 net carb per serving and have 22g of fat to keep you full and satisfied when you’re craving something sweet. The flavors are great too: Macadamia Pecan with Sea Salt, Macadamia with Sea Salt, Salted Chocolate Macadamia, and Macadamia with Coconut. Super delish and packable. buy

Quest Protein Chips

Quest Protein Chips – when you have a serious craving for potato chips or tortilla chips – these are the next best thing! They have both options as a low carb chip in flavors like Nacho Cheese, Spicy Taco, Cool Ranch, and BBQ, Chili Lime, Cheddar and Sour Cream, Sour Cream and Onion, and Original. With a whopping 18g of protein and only 4g of net carbs, they’re perfect for dipping and crunching without the guilt. buy

Blue Diamond Almonds

Blue Diamond Almonds – perfect snack when you’re craving something crunchy and salty instead of chips. They have a variety of amazing flavors too like Sriracha, Dill Pickle, Smoked, Habanero BBQ, Sweet Thai Chili and Wasabi and Soy. They also have a Gourmet collection of flavors including Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, Rosemary, Black Truffle, and Garlic Herb and Olive Oil. Low carb (3g) and high in protein (6g) per serving. buy

fat snax cookies

Fat Snax Keto Cookies – these low carb keto-friendly cookies are sugar-free, gluten-free and only 2g net carbs each. They come in Chocolate Chip, Lemony Lemon, Peanut Butter and Double Chocolate and taste great! buy

Chef's Cut Jerky + Sticks

Chef’s Cut Jerky and Meat Sticks – These are great when you’re craving some quick protein and fat to fill you up but don’t have time to cook. Their premium jerky and meat sticks come in great flavors too like Original, Teriyaki, Sweet and Spicy, Jalapeño, Ghost Pepper, Buffalo and Sugar Free. Gluten-Free, Nitrite-Free, Chef-crafted and High in Protein (7g) and only 100 calories each. buy

Folios_Cheddar

Lolito Folio Cheese Wraps – these lightly baked cheese wraps are super delicious and come in three flavors: Parmesan, Cheddar and Jarlsberg all natural cheese and have zero carbs and only 180 calories. Perfect substitute for regular tortillas and wraps – make tacos, quesadillas, savory tarts, sandwich wraps, stuffed pasta substitute and more. buy

Coco Lite Pop Cakes

Coco Lite Pop Cakes – these super light and airy pop cakes are great! You can top them off with ricotta cheese, olive oil, chile flakes and herbs, use them for dipping instead of crackers, or break them up and throw them in a salad in place of high carb croutons. They come in Original, Multigrain, Maui Onion, and Chocolate Lace (a great low carb sweet treat!) and also have PopCHIPZ which are bite sized pop cakes great for just snacking right out of the bag. Only 16 calories and 5g net carbs. buy

EPIC pork rinds

EPIC Himalayan Sea Salt Pork Rinds – for a super crunchy snack with lots of protein (16g!) and fat these are the perfect Keto/low-carb option to potato chips. They’re great for dipping or just eat them alone. buy

Quest Hero Bars

Quest HERO Bars – these are great when you’re craving sweets and also a good replacement for a low carb meal or snack. They’re gluten free, only 3-5g net carbs and come in tons of flavors like Blueberry Cobbler, Caramel Chocolate Chunk, Maple Waffle, Peanut Chocolate Chunk, Birthday Cake, Vanilla Caramel and more. buy

pyure hazelnut spread

Pyure Organic Hazelnut Spread – made with real hazelnuts and cocoa and organic stevia, this spread is the perfect option when you have a sweet tooth and are craving chocolate! It’s got only 2g net carbs, gluten-free, vegan and no palm oil. Super delicious! buy

Kbosh Cauliflower Crusts

Kbosh Keto Pizza Crusts – so anyone else craving pizza except for me? These keto pizza crusts are awesome and come in tons of flavors like Cauliflower, Broccoli, Kale, Italian Spinach, Pumpkin Zucchini, Mexican Zucchini and more. Top them off with all your favorite toppings and then bake them in the oven for a super delish option to carb laden pizza! Only 1g net carbs and 40 calories for 1/3 pizza (1 serving). Bring it on! buy

PBFit PB Powder

PBFit Organic Peanut Butter Powder – yes it sounds weird but it’s delicious! It’s simply made with ground peanuts, organic palm sugar and salt and when you mix it with water you have a low carb, low sugar option to peanut butter! Throw some in a smoothie with almond milk or make a dip for celery, apples or a low carb chip. buy

Protein Puffs

Twin Peaks Protein Puffs – these are like super high protein (42g!) Cheetos without all the carbs and they come in 3 flavors – Garlic Parmesan, Pizza and Mesquite BBQ. Only 3g net carbs and 130 calories per serving. buy

Enlightened Keto Ice Cream

Enlightened Keto Ice Cream – Who doesn’t love ice cream in the Summer? But on a low carb keto diet it’s a definite no-no. This brand has a variety of flavors like chocolate peanut butter, mint chocolate chunk, butter pecan, coffee and cream cookie dough, and lots more to choose from! They are gluten free, soy free and no sugar added. 1g net carbs per serving. They also have Keto ice cream bars in yummy flavors too. Score! buy

January 19, 2019March 15, 2023

Fat Head Pizza {Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free}

So you can take a girl out of New York but you can’t take the New York Pizza out of the girl. True story. New York #pizza is one of my favorite things in the world but I’ve been doing my #lowcarb/#keto diet the past 2 weeks and its definitely not on the list of acceptable foods, and is one of those things I truly miss.

This Fat Head Pizza has only 10g of carbs and is really easy to make (and really tasty too!) The crust is made with almond flour, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg and white balsamic vinegar, and pre-baked in the oven for 10-12 minutes before adding the toppings. I made a traditional pepperoni pizza because I was starving last night and wanted to keep it simple, but next time I’m definitely going to experiment with some other fun ingredients now that I have the base crust recipe.

I also found a great low sugar/low carb pizza sauce at Publix called La Famiglia DelGrosso (Pappy Fred’s Old Style Pizza Sauce) that has only 3g net carbs per 1/4 cup and it’s really good! You have to be careful with premade and jarred or canned sauces because there are usually a lot of hidden sugars in them which will blow your carb count if you’re trying to stick to 20-25g per day on #Keto or #Atkins Induction phase 1..

Feel free to switch up the toppings to whatever veggies (onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc.) or proteins you wish (sausage, chicken, bacon, ham, etc.) and if you want to make a white pizza just use Alfredo sauce instead. Top with any garnishes you like (fresh herbs, arugula, pepper flakes) and enjoy pizza without the guilt!

Enjoy! xx, kristen

Fat Head Pizza {Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free}

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: Serves 2

Serving Size: 1/2 pizza (2 slices)

Super delish low carb pizza crust made with almond flour, cheese, egg - topped with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese and lots of pepperoni! With only 10g of carbs, it's a great way to satisfy your pizza fix on a low carb/Atkins or Keto diet!

Ingredients

Crust
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp sour cream (or cream cheese)
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup almond flour
1 tsp white balsamic vinegar
1 egg
½ tsp garlic salt
olive oil (for hands)
Toppings
1/2 cup low carb/low sugar pizza sauce (DelGrosso brand)
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Pepperoni
Any other additional toppings you like (veggies, sausage, etc.)
Red pepper flakes, garnish
Italian seasoning, garnish
Parmesan cheese, garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Heat mozzarella and sour cream and parmesan cheese in a small bowl in the microwave oven for a minute, stir together, heat for another 30 seconds, stir together until melted.
Measure out the almond flour, balsamic vinegar, egg and garlic salt into a mixing bowl and add the melted cheese/sour cream mixture.
Moisten your hands with olive oil and pat the dough out into a 6-8 inch circle onto a greased baking pan. You can also use a rolling pin to flatten the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and remove the parchment before baking. Try to pat or roll out the dough evenly and patch up the thin spots on the edges or they may get too dark/burn.
Prick the crust all over with a fork, and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
Spread the sauce on to the baked crust and add the pepperoni or desired toppings.
Bake the pizza for 10 minutes. Remove, and turn the heat on broil, up to 450/500 degrees.
Broil the pizza for another 2 minutes until cheese is bubbly and pepperoni is crispy.
Garnish with red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning and additional grated parmesan cheese.
Serves 2.

Notes

Feel free to switch up the toppings to whatever veggies (onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc.) or proteins you wish (sausage, chicken, bacon, ham, etc.) and if you want to make a white pizza just use Alfredo sauce instead. Top with any garnishes you like (fresh herbs, arugula, pepper flakes) and enjoy pizza without the guilt!

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2019/01/fat-head-pizza-low-carb-keto-gluten-free/

Recipe adapted from original Fat Head Pizza

January 7, 2019March 6, 2020

Bacon, Onion + Cheese Frittata for the New Year

So the New Year has arrived, and we all know what that means…time for resolutions and committing to good habits and breaking bad ones, including our diets and fitness routines, getting rid of the old and bringing in the new.

So I’ve decided to start with my #lowcarb #keto diet this week and I’m so excited about it – really! Every time I eat this way, everything else seems to fall into place…working out, sleeping better, more energy, better moods, less aches and pains and just feeling fantastic overall.

One of my other goals this year is to cook meals that can last throughout the week so I’m not cooking every meal from scratch every day..and making food with less ingredients (but still quality!), and preferably in one pot for easier prep and cleanup – ovenproof sauté pans, Dutch ovens, my Crock pot and Instant pot. So here goes my recipe for Low Carb/Keto Diet Day 1 – a simple and delicious Bacon, Onion and Cheese Frittata.

This baby will last me at least a couple of days – just cook it up in a big pan, slice it and it’s perfect for breakfast-on-the-go. AND it’s low carb/keto and #gluten-free made with only #eggs, half and half, sweet onion, #bacon, butter, cheddar #cheese, salt and pepper and some dill seasoning. Super delicious, filling and full of protein (and yes, fat, butter, bacon and cheese are totally fine on low carb (like Atkins and South Beach diets) and the Keto diet (which is pretty much the same except super high fat, medium protein and super low carb)…so no shame there, friends 🙂

BOOM! #2019, I’m ready for ya…bring it on!

Bacon, Onion + Cheese Frittata

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Yield: Serves 6-8

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 or 1/8 of frittata)

An easy, delicious frittata made with eggs, cream, bacon, sautéed sweet onions and cheddar cheese, baked in the oven - perfect for breakfast or brunch or an alternative to dinner. Low carb, keto and gluten-free!

Ingredients

5-6 pieces natural smoked, uncured bacon
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 sweet onion, diced
6 eggs
1 cup half and half or whole milk
Deliciously Dill Spice Blend (The Spice Hunter)
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 F.
Place bacon on a baking rack over a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes- flip bacon after 15 minutes and bake an additional 10 minutes until bacon is crispy. Drain the bacon grease on paper towels, chop into pieces. Reduce oven to 350 degrees.
Melt butter in a large ovenproof sauté pan over medium heat and cook onions for about 5 minutes or so until lightly golden and translucent and soft. Add bacon back into the pan and stir together.
Whisk eggs with the half and half or milk, dill spice blend, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
Add eggs into the pan with the bacon and onions, stir in the shredded cheese. Cook over medium low heat for about a minute or so.
Bake the frittata in the oven uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Notes

You can also substitute prosciutto, pancetta or canadian bacon or ham for the bacon (or turkey bacon!) Feel free to experiment with other cheeses as well such as mozzarella, monterey jack, colby or parmesan. You can also add some sautéed peppers or mushrooms to add more veggies into the mix (or make it totally vegetarian by skipping the bacon altogether!)

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2019/01/bacon-onion-cheese-frittata-for-the-new-year/

April 14, 2014March 21, 2015

Going Low-Carb & Healthy for Spring! Grilled Parmesan Zucchini Beef Burgers & Sauteed Lemon Garlic Squash

Well, Spring is FINALLY here and the weather in NYC has been absolutely gorgeous this past week. I get so motivated when the weather warms up to go walking in the park, get moving around town, and most of all start eating healthy and maybe drop a few pounds or two to get ready for Summer. Plus, with all the gorgeous fresh fruits and veggies at the farmers markets – it’s hard to resist dreaming up some healthy, light recipes to get excited about making.

I know what you’re probably thinking – sometimes “low-carb diet” is a taboo word. And I’ve tried a few of them that have worked in the past (Atkins and South Beach Diet), but once I started eating normal again, the pounds just came back. So I’m making over my diet for the long term with foods that are good carbs – fresh green non-starchy veggies, low-glycemic fruits like berries and melon and citrus, light dairy including cheese and Greek yogurt, and healthy lean proteins across the board with omega3-enriched eggs, turkey, chicken, fish, beef, pork and seafood. My main goal is to cut out sugar and refined carbs like flour, pasta, bread, crackers, processed foods. Oh, the sugar cravings start kicking in the first few days, but once I get through the first week – it’s amazing how those cravings just go away. And my palate changes to crave all the good, healthy foods that actually keep me full and keep those cravings at bay. Yes, I will miss chocolate dearly. And crackers, and bread and pasta. But at the end of the day, once I start eating healthy low-carb, I actually FEEL better. And SLEEP better. And my allergies and body aches GO AWAY.

I’m not talking about living on cheeseburgers, bacon and eggs my whole life. Just cutting down on the bad carbs that make me cranky. And tired. And have mood swings and blood sugar swings. It’s crazy how good I feel and hey, it doesn’t hurt to lose a few pounds along the way. So here goes – Day 1 of my Get Into Shape Low-Carb, Feel Good Diet for Spring. Let’s see if I can keep this going for a few weeks – who knows. I might not miss that chocolate as much as I think I will. And if I feel like cheating? Well a square of dark chocolate here and there (or a glass of wine!) might just have to happen. And I won’t feel guilty one bit. Especially when I’m feeling amazing in my bikini on the beach this summer 🙂

Parmesan Zucchini Burgers & Sauteed Lemon Garlic Zucchini

I whipped up this tasty recipe today for some grilled Parmesan Zucchini Beef Burgers & Sauteed Lemon Garlic Squash. The burgers are made with lean beef (but you can substitute ground chicken or turkey if you like), finely minced zucchini, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, garlic powder and red pepper flakes, then grilled to perfection, served over an arugula salad with a light vinaigrette dressing. I sauteed the zucchini and yellow squash in a lemon-infused olive oil, with some crushed garlic cloves, a pinch of dill and red pepper flakes, and that’s it! Light, healthy, filling and totally delicious. I think I could do this all the time. Enjoy! (and wish me luck!)

Going Low-Carb & Healthy for Spring! Grilled Parmesan Zucchini Beef Burgers & Sauteed Lemon Garlic Squash

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Serving Size: 4-6

Ingredients

Burgers:
1 pound lean ground beef
1/3 cup zucchini, diced fine
1 egg
4 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste (about 6 grinds for me)
Arugula, dressed with a light vinaigrette, for serving
-----
Zucchini Squash:
2 tablespoons lemon-infused olive oil
2 small-medium zucchini, sliced and halved
1 small-medium yellow squash, sliced and halved
4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dill (dried or fresh)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper (a few grinds is good, but adjust to taste)

Instructions

Heat a grill over medium-high heat.
Place all the burger ingredients into a large bowl and mix together well with hands, make 4-6 burger patties.
Grill burgers for 4-6 minutes (depending on how well done you like them).
Add a slice of melted provolone cheese on top and some hot sauce, if desired.
Serve burgers over arugula salad dressed in a light vinaigrette dressing.
-----
Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
Slice zucchini into small moon-shaped slices, peel and smash garlic.
Saute zucchini and squash and garlic cloves for about 5-7 minutes until soft and cooked through (but not mushy).
Add red pepper flakes, dill, sea salt and pepper, stir together.
Serve immediately with burgers and arugula salad.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2014/04/going-low-carb-spring-grilled-parmesan-zucchini-beef-burgers-sauteed-lemon-garlic-squash/

Parmesan Zucchini Burgers & Sauteed Lemon Garlic Zucchini Squash

July 3, 2012January 5, 2015

WTH Are You Eating? Demystifying Olive Oils with Joy Bauer from Everyday Health

There’s a new show in town and a it’s a huge hit at that! The new Joy Bauer YouTube show (which is part of the Everyday Health channel) “What the Heck Are You Eating?” is a great video series on food, health and cooking how to’s, chock full of advice from Joy on the insider myths, truths and history of food. Whether you want to know the health benefits of coconut water, what is really in that hot dog, the history of America’s favorite food (bagels!), whether to eat frozen yogurt vs. ice cream, or if diet sugar substitutes are safe – you’ll find a wealth of information and helpful advice on food, diet, and nutrition topics with a variety of short, fun and engaging videos in this web series.

Here’s the latest show on the nutritional value of olive oil and the main differences between them – enjoy!