With the new year just around the corner, so come the New Years Resolutions and the promise of diets changed for the better. Of course, it is never too early to get a head start on your health. An underrated aspect of a good diet is the presence of whole grains rather than refined grains. Studies agree that whole grains offer many benefits including reducing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. So here are five great whole grain snack foods that you can place into your diet for better health, and a more filling feeling.

Cherry Chocolate Bars

These snack bars are nut free, instead using flavorful and chewy dried fruit and chocolate mixed in with the oats. Dried cherries work best in this wicked combination, but cranberries and similar dried fruit also work. Don't forget to add seeds for a crunchy touch.

Cheese Popcorn

To dress up your dry popcorn, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese and pepper over the top. You can try lemon pepper or for something spicier, cayenne pepper. Both work well with the Parmesan to produce a great taste along with the health benefits of corn as a grain.

French Dip Sliders

A very easy - but equally appetizing - sandwich to make is the French Dip Slider using only some sliced roast beef heated in beef consomme, some slices of provolone cheese and the golden brown coney buns found at places like Klosterman Baking Company. Use the leftover broth as a dip for the sandwiches.

Teff Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

Teff is a naturally sweet flour that mixes with both chocolate and nuts, so that wonderful combination of peanut butter and chocolate can be made into snack sized cookies which also offer the health benefits of whole grains and the downright tastiness of chocolate chip. Optionally, you can add some maple syrup for a bit of extra sweetness.

Oatmeal and Fruit Smoothie

That's right, you can really shake things up and get your whole grains in the form of a tasty drink. All you have to do is quickly cook a blend of quick oats with apples, honey, cinnamon and cranberries. After you let it cool add it to a blender batch of milk, yogurt and bananas. You get all those nutrients - fibers and potassium and calcium - in a fast and ready-to-go drink that can be had morning or afternoon.

There's plenty more whole grain foods you can turn into a snack - such as rice, quinoa, and wheat - all possessing the sort of long-term health benefits that you're going to want in a well-rounded diet. Try out the above recipes and see which snack you like best.