Trader Joe’s is well known as snack food heaven, but people with diabetes, or on a special diet such as keto or Atkins, have to watch out for the treats that come loaded with carbohydrates. If you know what to look for, though, you can find plenty of low- and no-carb snack foods in the aisles here. These are some of the best.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: The 29 Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s
Full Cooked Uncured Bacon
Carbs: 0g $4.99
Who can resist a little bacon now and then? This is precooked, so just a few seconds in the microwave gets it thin and crispy with none of the usual mess to deal with.
Mediterranean Style Hummus
Carbs: 3g $3.99
Hummus has always been a go-to at TJ’s, and this large tub topped with pine nuts, olive oil, and spices is rated as one of the best you can buy.
Smoked Sockeye Salmon
Carbs: 0g $6.49
There are several smoked salmon products to choose from at Trader Joe’s. The sockeye variety is always bright in color, firm in texture, and relatively inexpensive, making it one of the best.
Seasoned Kale Chips
Carbs: 8g $3.99
This bag of kale chips is vegan, gluten free, and very low carb. They’re seasoned with cashew butter and tahini for a nutty, savory flavor. Reviewers say they’re just as crispy and satisfying as potato chips.
Related: 20 Foods Americans Eat Now That They Never Heard of 20 Years Ago
Creamy Cashew Fiesta Dip
Carbs: 2g $3.49
Vegan, creamy dips made with cashews are really popular right now. This is Trader Joe’s plant-based version of a spicy queso, and while it’s thicker than queso, it’s really delicious.
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String Cheese
Carbs: <1g $2.99
Really, almost the entire cheese section at Trader Joe’s is great for carb watchers, but the products designed for snacking include the classic string cheese, made with a mild mozzarella and packaged individually to last longer.
Roasted & Salted Fancy Mixed Nuts
Carbs: 5g $7.99
A handful of mixed nuts is a great low-carb snack. This mix is roasted and salted for flavor and contains fancy stuff such as Brazil nuts and hazelnuts.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Carbs: 2g $2.99
This dip is potent. But if you love onions and garlic, you’ll want to spread it on everything. It’s been called one of the best products at Trader Joe’s.
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Chunky Spicy Guacamole
Carbs: 3g $3.49
This guacamole is flecked with cilantro and peppers, and comes in a shallow tray that’s totally acceptable to serve from.
Fully Cooked Pork Belly
Carbs: 0g $6.49
Pork belly — bacon’s big, meaty brother — is also available in the refrigerated section. You can crisp it up in one big chunk then slice it, or slice and then brown. It’s equally great on a salad or in soup. Reviewers love how tender it is.
Fire Roasted Red Peppers
Carbs: 3g $1.99
These sweet, seeded red peppers are thick and meaty, not mushy. They’re great to eat with cheese and salami, with eggs, and to add flavor and color to all kinds of dishes.
Natural Turkey Summer Sausage
Carbs: 2g $3.99
Everyone loves summer sausage, whether it’s on a holiday appetizer platter or sliced thin in the deli. This turkey version has very few carbs and less fat than most pork or beef versions.
Sharp Cheddar Snack Pack
Carbs: <1g $3.49
If you prefer your cheese to have a bite, grab a bag of these sharp cheddar chunks. They’re also individually wrapped, and just a little more sophisticated than their stringy brethren.
Spinach Dip
Carbs: 2g $3.49
Cold spinach dip is a retro favorite that’s never really gone out of style. This version is extra chunky and just the right consistency, making it the winner of a recent taste test.
Prosciutto
Carbs: 0g $4.99
Trader Joe’s has a number of prosciutto options, and they’re all good bets. The paper-thin cured pork sliced are great wrapped around a piece of cheese or draped on a fancy meat and cheese board for a party.
Red Pepper Spread With Eggplant and Garlic
Carbs: 4g $2.69
This thick spread is similar to Spanish romesco, but a bit spicier. It’s a TJ’s pantry essential, and it’s great with goat cheese or as a condiment for lamb or beef.
Avocados
Carbs: 12g $1.29
How about an avocado snack? It’s relatively low in carbs and high in fiber. Sprinkle a little lime juice and salt on it and call it a day.
Tzatziki
Carbs: 2g $3.49
Greek tzatziki dip is a fresh vegetable’s best friend. It’s loaded with cucumbers, mint, dill, and garlic. And while it may be an easy dip to make yourself, this version has been called one of the best Greek items to buy at Trader Joe’s.
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip
Carbs: 2g $2.99
Bacon, cheddar, and ranch in a creamy dip — it makes even the saddest snacks taste better.
Spanish Brand Deli Selection
Carbs: 0g $4.99
This package of meat is an assortment: Spanish salami, dry-cured ham, and chorizo. It’s super snackable just as it is, but you can also turn it into a fancy charcuterie board. Because it’s a variety pack, it’s cheaper than buying each separately.
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Carbs: 2g $2.99
When cold spinach dip just won’t do, this frozen version is waiting: It comes in a little cup, so all you have to do is heat it and dip away. It was even named Trader Joe’s favorite appetizer by customers.
Oven Baked Cheese Bites
Carbs: <1g $2.69
These little cracker- or chip-like snacks are made from 100% cheese, and they’re pretty universally loved. The salty, crunchy bites have almost no carbs, and also no gluten.
Epic Bars
Carbs: 2g $29.88
Epic Bars are protein bars on steroids. Instead of being made with lots of sugar, they’re made with meat. (Think of them like a big, thick jerky bar and it seems a little less weird.) Because they’re made from a whole lot of meat, these are not inexpensive at more than $2 per bar, and you may benefit from knowing the chicken Sriracha version is generally better liked than the bison.
Fresh Pickles
Carbs: 1g $5.49
These refrigerated pickles are big, crunchy, and firm in the New York deli style. They’re super fresh and perfect for snacking.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Carbs: 2g $4.99
Buffalo chicken dip, on the other hand, is much more involved to make at home. So this low-carb, high-protein version is great in a pinch. You can eat it cold or warm it up, and serve it with celery.
Extra Hot Salsa
Carbs: 2g $3.29
For anyone out there who laughs at other commercial “hot” salsas, this one is for you. Made with habaneros and ghost pepper powder, this salsa has a quick heat that’s great for snacking. Because it’s a refrigerated product, it’s also refreshing, at least for those who can handle it.
Beef Jerky
Carbs: 5g $5.99
Beef jerky is a classic low-carb, high-protein snack, and TJ’s version is very good, and pretty inexpensive. Reviewers love it because it’s moist, soft, and chewy with a good balance of flavors.
Giant Chalkidiki Olives
Carbs: 0g $2.29
Chalkidiki is a northern Greek state, and presumably we should be grateful to it for producing these olives. They’re plump, juicy, and soft, and because they’re so large, they make for great snacking — just watch out for the pits.
Queso Cheese Dip
Carbs: 3g $2.49
Not only is this queso dip low in carbs, it’s fat free. Somehow, it still tastes really good, and makes a great, no-fuss dip for tailgates or football parties.
Greek Kalamata Olives
Carbs: <1g $2.99
This jar is full of big, purple kalamata olives. Since they’re pitted, they’re great for snacking right from the jar, or adding to an antipasto tray.
Vegetable Root Chips
Carbs: 16g $2.99
If you find yourself craving potato chips, give these vegetable root chips a shot. The bag includes sweet potato, taro, and parsnips in a colorful mix that’s healthier than straight-up white potatoes.
Cauliflower Tabbouleh
Carbs: 6g $3.69
Tabbouleh, a fresh Middle Eastern salad, is normally made with bulgar wheat. This version replaces it with finely chopped cauliflower for a low-carb alternative. It’s got a fresh, citrusy flavor and happens to be gluten free.
Genoa Salame and Provolone Cheese
Carbs: 1g $2.49
This product is like a mini adult Lunchable that also happens to be low carb. The individual packs contain slices of high-quality salami and cheese, and are ready to go with you anywhere. They even make great airplane snacks.
Related: 20 Snacks to Pack to Avoid Airport Rip-Offs
Salame Sticks
Carbs: 1g $1.79
Along the same grown-up snack-pack lines, these salami sticks come in packs of two. Each pouch has a bunch of the most adorable, tiny, and very snackable sausage sticks inside.
Sunflower Seed Spread
Carbs: 4g $4.99
Unlike sunflower seed butter, this sunflower seed spread doesn’t have any added sugars, so it’s very low carb. That makes it great for anyone on a keto diet, as well as for kids who can’t take peanut butter to school.
Roasted Seaweed Snack
Carbs: 1g $.99
Roasted seaweed snacks are not for everyone. If you like the nori in sushi, you’ll probably like these. They’re low carb, low calorie, and satisfying if you like to crunch on something mindlessly. They’re also really cheap at 99 cents, so you might as well give them a try.
Party Size Mini Meatballs
Carbs: 7g $4.99
Designed to be a party snack, these mini meatballs are made with beef and pork, and have a slight meatloaf flavor. That means you can cook them up plain and dip them into Trader Joe’s red pepper spread, or heat them in a slow cooker with your favorite sauce for a crowd.
Chomps
Carbs: 0g $1.69
Chomps is a brand of meat snack sticks that fits into a range of special diets, including low carb. They have a pretty loyal following and are often compared to Slim Jims. They come in beef, turkey, and jalapeño beef varieties, and you can buy them individually or by the box.
Pistachio Cranberry Bites
Carbs: 7g $3.99
It’s hard to find low-carb sweets, so these pistachio cranberry bites deserve a spot on this list. The individually wrapped squares are made mostly with nuts and dried cranberries held together with agave and brown rice syrups. They’re even great for sending to camp with your kids.
Crispy Crunchy Broccoli Florets
Carbs: 12g $2.99
Broccoli florets get the kale chip treatment with these crispy little guys that are bursting with flavor. They’re hard to stop popping in your mouth, but dipped in queso would be the crunchiest, low-carbiest cheesy broccoli ever.
