Just because something is called a “snack” doesn’t necessarily make it unhealthy. You have lot of snack choices that fall well within “healthy” diet guidelines.

So what can you use to substitute for the chips and candy? Here are some healthy snack ideas.

Whole grain crackers and pretzels are a good place to start. Whole grains are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and fiber. This combination will help give you lasting energy and keep you feeling full longer.

The next foods on my list are fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re also good sources of complex carbohydrates and fiber and also have varying amounts of certain vitamins and minerals. Fruits and veggies are good choices when you’re watching your weight since they’re low in calories and have no fat.

Another choice would be nuts and seeds. They’re both good sources of protein and healthy fats, but they’re also pretty high in calories. As long as you eat them in moderation, they make an excellent snack.

The last choices on my list (but definitely not the least) are reduced fat cheese and yogurt. There are tons of things you can do with these foods - cheese and crackers or yogurt and berries are some of my favorites. Just be sure to stay away from the flavored yogurts. They’re very high in added sugars.