For every diet, there comes a time when you must decide between that piece of fruit and that decadent piece of cake, that salad and that steak, restraint and indulgence. For some, that moment is just a daily part of dieting. For others it is only an occasional siren. The fact is, you will face that challenge. Fortunately, you have some friends in the diet challenge. They are: baked potato chips and chili roasted chick peas.

If you’re the type of dieter who enjoys a nice crunch to their snack foods – the kind of crunch that typically emanates from something that leaves a heap of oil and salt on your fingers – welcome to the club. There is something so satisfying about that crunch. If your diet were a block of wood, the sound would be something like what happens when Jackie Chan’s fist comes thundering down upon it. In a word, ecstasy.

If you want to indulge your craving for crunch and your soft spot for the savory while still staying true to your healthy meal plan, check out these tasty and healthful crispy snack recipes.

Chili Roasted Chick Peas

1 cup dried chickpeas
2 teaspoons chili powder
1.5 tsp salt
1 tbsp lime juice

Wash the chickpeas and cover them with water about 2 inches abve the chickpeas. Soak them in this way overnight. Drain the chickpeas and place them in a pot with water covering them. Bring the pot to a boil. Once the pot is boiling, reduce the heat and add 1.5 tsp chili powder. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, drain and place in a bowl. Toss the chickpeas with lime juice. Preheat the oven to 400F. Place the chickpeas on a baking sheet so that none are piled on each other and brush them with lime juice and chili powder. Place them in the oven and let them cook for about 50 minutes.

Baked Potato Chips

Medium Russet potato
Parchment paper
Salt
Seasonings: chili powder, creole seasoning, sea salt

Use a mandolin or v slicer to slice the potato into nearly identical wedges and place on parchment on the turntable of your microwave. Microwave at full power for 4-6 minutes or until brown spots start to appear on the potatoes. Turn off the microwave for one minute then turn back on full power until potatoes are golden brown.

Just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you have to give up that glorious feeling of crunching something between your mandible and maxilla. Enjoy these crispy snack recipes to add a little crunch to your daily routine.

Source:

• “9 healthy crunchy snacks”, Best Health Magazine

Better meals begin with better planning. We can help.