Snacking is one of my favorite things to do during the day. I'm classified as one of those "grazers." Eating at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.? No way. Try every hour.... I also don't want big meals. Furthermore, I try to eat healthy as often as I can, but sometimes I don't want an apple or grapes. Two foods come to mind.

I really like Pop Chips, which I will soon be writing a review of. They have many different flavors and they are delicious. They're not fried like other chips, so they are the healthier option. Since Doritos have removed wheat from their ingredients, I've become slightly addicted to them... but we all know they are not the most healthy snack in the world. Pop chips are the next best thing in my opinion, and they even have a nacho cheese tortilla chip similar to Doritos.

If I was only given one option though, I'd have to say my number one choice would be hummus and Glutino original bagel chips. For some reason the combination of the smooth hummus and the crispy, crunchy bagel chips is a party in my mouth! Hummus is naturally gluten free and good for you. The varieties out there are great. Of course, I stay away from pine nuts or any other nut varieties, but spinach and artichoke, roasted red pepper, lemon, garlic, eggplant, and olive?! You cannot go wrong! Not a bagel chip person? You can dip anything in hummus from other crackers to any vegetable. I think it's the perfect snack, and have even turned it into a complete lunch :) Another plus about hummus-- you can get it cheaply at your local grocery store, or make it easily at home. No need for a special trip to a health food store or deep pockets.

I have never tried Glutino bagel chips, but I love, love, LOVE hummus! I make my own often! Where do you typically find the bagel chips?

I love snacks, so does my son. I'm pretty sure snacks, to us, imply a leisurely and fun time. We went to the beach today, I packed a cooler full of snacks. We go to the park- my son likely enjoys the snacks as much as he does the playground. Parties? Snacks. Happy hour? Snacks. No matter how much you plan menus for the week, meals each day, snacks have to happen.

Whether you ask my son or me, our definitions of the ideal snack vary greatly. My son, hands down, would choose some sort of sweets or a baked good as a snack. Typically we bake together every week. Cakes, muffins, breads... you name it. My son loves sweets, as well as helping me in the kitchen! Just this morning we made a batch of carrot/zucchini/blueberry muffins (I have him trained to think they're sweets). When he's not looking for a baked good though, he's typically looking for a yogurt. So Delicious makes a coconut milk yogurt my son craves! Maybe it's because there wasn't a comparable "safe" yogurt years ago, when he first was put on a GF/CF diet, or maybe it's because he loves the independence of helping himself to a snack he can get himself, without asking mommy to cook it. If my son had his druthers, he would likely consume about 3 cartons a day. Being on a VERY restrictive budget however, this mommy tries to ration his yogurts to just one a day (usually in his lunchbox at school).

Me, on the other hand... I'm not really a fan of sweets. I tell everyone, "I save all my carbs for wine", and I mean it. I love bold flavor. I love spicy. When I feel the urge to eat something, it's always hearty and spicy. I'm not your typical girl who loves chocolate.

When I first decide to watch my weight (it happens every bikini season, which is very long here in Florida), I give myself one last hurrah with my eating. I can't even count how many times this indulgence was corn tortilla chips and hot salsa. I'm not saying these items can't be gluten-free either. I'm just saying when I'm aware of what I'm ingesting, these items are usually on the list of "limited". We all have our weaknesses, and chips and salsa is definitely mine! If I welcome one or two chips, next thing I know I'm downing half the bag... I absolutely need guidelines!

Where my son and I meet in snackland? Fresh fruits and vegetables are always welcome! Although it's not either my son's or my first choice, when you nibble on whold foods you can't go wrong. I'm trying to train my son, while he's still young, to eat whole, non-processed foods whenever he can. I recommend the same to anyone, especially those of us who are trying to go gluten-free. With a little time and acceptance, you too can learn to love snacks that won't hurt you.