If you’re anything like me, you can’t make it through the day without snacking. And if we have even more in common, the word “gluten-free” kind of makes you queasy. Have you ever had gluten-free pasta? It’s definitely nowhere close to being as tasty as real pasta.
Sadly, food with gluten does bother my stomach. So, I’m constantly on the lookout for gluten-free meals that still satisfy my snack cravings. I’ve discovered some snacks that are delicious and accessible at most grocery stores. These gluten-free alternatives taste great, and they don’t have scary ingredients listed in their nutrition facts.
1. Hummus
I usually pair hummus with baby carrots, which is always a go-to favorite. Hummus tastes so good, and there are so many different flavors you can get—my favorite is roasted red pepper. You can use alternatives to baby carrots, too. Try your favorite veggie or some gluten-free chips.
2. Popcorn
Boom Chicka Pop is my favorite brand. I always go for the purple bag, which carries its Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn. Trader Joe’s also has organic, olive oil popcorn that I’d highly recommend.
3. Granola Bars
I specifically recommend KIND bars. They’re filling, and they come in a wide variety of flavors. Plus, the ingredients are trustworthy.
4. Granola
I usually eat my granola in a bowl with almond milk or with plain Greek yogurt and honey. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of granola, it’s still good plain. Make sure to check the that your preferred brand is gluten-free because some are not!
5. Chocolate Chip Cookies
I have a really bad sweet tooth, so cookies are perfect for satiating it. Tate’s cookies are thin and crispy, and they have gluten-free options that taste exactly like their regular cookies. Emmy’s Organics also has tasty gluten-free and vegan cookies, but you’d have to go to Whole Foods for those.
6. Gluten-free Chips
Most potato chips are gluten-free, but just because something doesn’t have gluten, it doesn’t mean it’s good for you. I recommend the brand “Food Should Taste Good.” They’re gluten and dairy-free and have healthier ingredients. I like to eat these chips with hummus. I also like Terra chips because they’re a fun change-up from your average potato chips. Terra carries blue potato chips and root vegetable potato chip mixes. Pop chips are also good—they are also a healthier option to regular potato chips.
7. Dried Seaweed Sheets
Frankly, I’m still not totally sold on these. However, my sister and some of my friends eat these all the time, and they’re super low in calories. I’d buy Trader Joe’s Roasted Seaweed Snack if you’re into trying this gluten-free snack.
8. Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is a great gluten-free snack that can help satisfy sweet cravings. I love getting dried mango, but you can find almost any of your favorite fruits dried.
9. Dried Snap Peas
I originally tried these because my little cousin was snacking on them, but now I just buy them for myself. Harvest Snaps is a popular brand you can find at your local grocery store. Plus, they’ve expanded to carry different flavors and new products, like dried lentils and black beans!
10. Cheese and Crackers
Make sure to get gluten-free crackers made of rice or almond flour. If you’re sensitive to dairy, cheeses like cheddar and parmesan are low in lactose.
The important thing to keep in mind is that gluten-free does not necessarily mean healthy. Make sure to check the nutrition facts for a product’s ingredients. If you can’t pronounce its ingredients, it’s probably not that good for you. Also, always check the packaging of products, because sometimes things you expect to be gluten-free can actually contain gluten. Happy gluten-free snacking!