Coming up with fun and healthy snacks at this time of year can sometimes be difficult. But with a bit of preparation it can be done while still enabling you to stick to your weight loss goals. Last minute shopping  trips can often lead to calorie-laden purchases. So take your time, plan out the ingredients you need and get cooking.

These snack recipes are so delicious that your guests won’t even realize they are super healthy, low carb snack options. And best of all, you can stick to your weight loss diet and maintain your calorie intake.

Please contact us if you have questions or want to learn more about our weight loss programs or Botox and Fillers: 

• To reach our AZ Clinics call 602-374-7226 (3 Clinics in Mesa, Phoenix, and Scottsdale) 
• To reach our NM Clinics call 505-888-9575 (3 Clinics in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe)
• Or visit us online to schedule an appointment: http://fitmedicalweightloss.com/ 

Zesty Nacho Kale Chips

Yields 4 Servings

1 serving has 108 calories, 7 g carbs, 14 g fat, & 3 g protein

Delicious and healthy, these kale chips are a perfect snack option at any time of the day. Warning, one batch of these might not last very long as they are so tasty!

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch kale
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• ​1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 cup avocado oil
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• Additional salt if required

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Trim kale and tear into 2 inch pieces. Wash and dry thoroughly.
2. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, sea salt, pepper and salt.
3. In a large bowl, toss kale with avocado oil. Sprinkle with spice mixture and nutritional yeast. Toss well to combine.
4. Spread in a single layer on one or two baking sheets.
5. Bake 10 minutes and then turn off oven and let stay inside until crisp, another 2 to 5 minutes. Remove and let cool and repeat with any remaining kale. Add more salt if necessary.

[You can view the original recipe on All Day I Dream About Food] 

Sugar Free Spiced Almonds

Yields 8 Servings

1 serving (1/8 cup) has 104 calories, 4 g carbs, 9 g fat, & 3 g protein

For those times when you need a little spice, this sugar free spiced almond recipe is ideal. Almonds are jam-packed with goodness including magnesium, protein and Vitamin E.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole almonds
• 2 teaspoon egg whites
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
• 1 teaspoon granulated stevia (or sweetener of choice to taste)

Directions

1. Whisk the egg whites until frothy with a fork in a shallow bowl.
2. Pour the whole almonds into the egg white mixture and stir with the fork until they are completely coated.
3. Leave the almonds to sit for a while until most of the egg white has soaked into the almonds. The almonds should be coated and sticky, ready for the spices.
4. Place the spices and stevia in a cup and stir to combine evenly, then sprinkle over the sticky almonds.
5. Turn gently with the fork so the almonds are coated with the spices.
6. Line a baking tray with non stick liner or non stick baking paper.
7. Place the spiced almonds on the lined baking tray making sure they are evenly spaced.
8. Bake at 130 C/260 F for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.
9. Store in a sealed glass jar for up to one month.

[You can view the original recipe on Ditch The Carbs] 

Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rolls

Yields 10 Servings

1 serving (2 rolls) has 102 calories, 2 g carbs, 7 g fat, & 4 g protein

Eating dairy can often cause the calories you consume in one day to skyrocket. While this recipe does call for cream cheese, supplementing with low fat cream cheese is the recommended alternative. Eating a snack such as this in fine in moderation – after all it is the holiday season! Just don’t forget to count those calories to stay on track with your weight loss program. 

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 6 ounces smoked salmon
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 english cucumber, ends trimmed and very thinly sliced
• 1 to 2 tablespoons capers
• Additional sprigs of fresh dill for garnish

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, smoked salmon, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper. Mash together using a fork until well combined.
2. Place 1 tablespoon of filling at the end of each slice of cucumber. Add a few capers and roll tightly. Secure it with a toothpick if necessary.
3. Garnish with a small piece of dill and another caper.

Low-Carb Gingerbread Men

Yields 50 cookies

1 serving (1 cookie) has 74 calories, 4 g carbs, 6 g fat, & 2 g protein

This is a holiday favorite and a fun snack to offer to others. While the low-carb gingerbread recipe does call for artificial sweeteners, remember that you can always supplement with your sweetener of choice.

Ingredients

• 4 cups almond flour
• 1 cup sweetener
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 2 tablespoons ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ​1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

​Royal Icing

• 1/2 lb powdered sweetener
• 1 1/2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons arrowroot starch or 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1/4 cup lukewarm water (more if needed to thin out)

Directions

1. For the cookies, preheat oven to 275 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, sweetener, coconut flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, xanthan gum, salt and cloves.
3. Stir in eggs, coconut oil, molasses and vanilla extract until dough comes together.
4. Divide dough in half and turn out first half onto a large piece of parchment paper. Top with another piece of parchment and roll out about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes and gently loosen and lift with an offset spatula. Place onto prepared baking sheets.
6. Gather up scraps and reroll until too little is left to roll out. Repeat with second half of dough.
7. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown and just firm to the touch. Remove and let cool 5 minutes on pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. For the royal icing, in a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sweetener, meringue powder and arrowroot starch or xanthan gum.
9. Add water and stir until smooth. Add more water 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved.
10. Pipe icing onto cooled cookies and let set 30 minutes or longer.

[You can view the original recipe on All Day I Dream About Food] 

Please contact us if you have questions or want to learn more about our weight loss programs or Botox and Fillers: 

• To reach our AZ Clinics, call 602-374-7226 (2 Clinics in Mesa and Phoenix) 
• To reach our NM Clinics, call 505-888-9575 (3 Clinics in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe) or 575-222-4994 (Las Cruces)
• To reach our TX Clinic, call 214-296-0269 (Dallas)