Healthy eating is often discarded in modern life because ideas can seem time consuming and difficult-it seems easier to put a ready meal in the microwave, open a packet of crisps or reach for a sugary snack bar. Some quick and easy snacks can be prepared in minutes though.

1) Houmous and breadsticks-my first suggestion may cause you to inhale sharply and wonder why something known for its fat content is number one on my list. Firstly, I would suggest getting the low fat version but the fact is our bodies need fat to survive and I would rather get the fat from something so natural, which is satisfying than a pie or packet of crisps! I use houmous as a substitute for where I would have eaten cream cheese back when I ate dairy products. Carrots can replace the breadsticks if you’re being careful of wheat intake.

2) Rice-whether you get plain or lightly season rice in pouches to heat in the microwave or choose to cook it yourself on the stove (1 part rice, 2 parts water for around 15 minutes and your rice should be perfect) this is a very satisfying snack easy on your stomach and can set you up for a good few hours. Have when you might have chosen a dehydrated noodle snack or something similar.

3) Fruit-an obvious but much neglected choice. Many people on diets just cut out snacks-I always wonder why when an apple or other piece of fruit can provide a low calorie snack which is doing you some good nutritionally would seem the better option. Try and get a good variety of fruit each day…so don’t eat 5 apples, try and mix different coloured fruit for maximum benefit

4) Smoothie-variation of 3 for when chewing is too much work and you’d rather have a drink!

5) Raw veg-so much more nutritionally valid than when cooked. I don’t like cooked sprouts or garden peas but love them when raw-most raw vegetables have a nice, refreshing bite/tang to them. Some favourites of mine are raw cauliflower, sprouts and garden peas (fresh from the pod!).