http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/10-guiltless-gluten-free-snacks?page=7

Snacks–they can either help a diet or completely ruin one! With the right portion control, they can do wonders for keeping up your metabolism and staying satisfied to not gorge at the next meal. However, most tasty snacks are too good and too easy to eat. How many times have you been sitting at your desk or on your couch with a bag of potato chips and stopped at only a few chips?….um, never!

This is where we come in. We have found recipes of tasty snacks that are healthy and packed with FIBER! Snacks that will actually fill us up and not have us aimlessly munching. Craving salty or sweet? We have you covered!

Sweet Potato Fries
This one is easy as pie. (Sweet potato pie, that is.) Cut a sweet potato lengthwise, and toss the orange-hued wedges in oil, and spices for a new take on a hamburger’s BFF. Shhh, it’s a secret: A medium sweet potato has more potassium than a banana and five grams of fiber.

Edamame Hummus
A new take on hummus, this spread adds some color and fiber to your dipping delight. Bring a pot of water to a boil, and toss in 2 cups of frozen edamame (16 whopping grams of fiber!). Boil for three minutes, remove from heat, and drain. Combine edamame, 3 cloves of garlic, 6 tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt, cumin, paprika, cayenne, and a squeeze of lemon in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Serve with toasted pita bread or sliced veggies like carrots and cucumbers.

Quinoa Pizza Bites
These simple nuggets are full of flavor. Fresh basil and tomato paste make them really taste like pizza. The key fiber-filled ingredients, quinoa and kidney beans, also make for a stellar protein-packed snack. Protein powerhouse quinoa is one of the only grains or seeds that provide all the essential amino acids our bodies can’t produce themselves!

Chocolate Bran Crunchies
For a seriously fiber-filled snack, grab a box of bran cereal, which has 10 grams of fiber per ½ cup serving. Combine 1 cup of bran cereal with ½ cup of slivered almonds, and 4 ounces (3 to 4 squares, depending on the bar) of melted dark chocolate (melt in a microwave in 20 second intervals until smooth). Spoon tablespoon-sized mounds of the chocolaty deliciousness onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop it in the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes to set.

Kale Chips
We’ll be honest here: These guys definitely don’t taste exactly like potato chips. But if you’re looking for a healthier (or more chic) way to crunch, kale chips are it. Preheat oven to 375. Rinse and dry 1 large bunch of kale, then remove the stems and tough center ribs. Rip the kale into large pieces, toss with a little olive oil, then sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a large parchment lined baking sheet (careful not to overlap). Bake until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes, checking frequently (they can burn easily!).

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Considering my love affair with chocolate and peanut butter as separate entities, a combo of the two really knocks it out of the park. Plus, these snack bites are actually healthy and you only need three ingredients to make ‘em. Mix 3 scoops of chocolate protein powder, ¼ cup of ground flax seed, and ½ cup of peanut butter (look for the unsalted variety). Form the mixture into small balls and pop in the freezer to set before eating.

Chocolate Crunch Mix
This is the ultimate homemade Chex mix. Combine 1 cup of Chex cereal, 1 cup of pretzel sticks broken in half, and ¼ cup of roasted almonds. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of melted dark chocolate (to melt: microwave for one minute, stir, and continue heating in 20 second intervals until completely melted). Spread the mixture on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate sets. For a little extra fiber, sprinkle in some sesame seeds.

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Crunchy roasted chickpeas are becoming pretty popular at grocery stores, but they can bare a hefty price tag. These chickpeas are a heckuva lot cheaper, easy to make, and have a kick to them. Drain and rinse 1 can of chickpeas and add to a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes at 450 degrees. Take them out and shake ‘em around before returning to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the chickpeas are brown and crunchy. Just half a cup of the little guys provides six grams of fiber and six grams of protein.

By Nicole McDermott

To check out more healthy snacks go to Greatist.com