Quick and healthy snacks for folks on the go

Fast food restaurants and snacks like chips and cheese puffs are popular for a reason. In part because -- and let's face it -- most of us think they taste fantastic. But these fatty foods with very little nutritional value are also favored by millions because they're quick, easy and satisfying for people who have too much going on in their lives to sit down to three square meals a day.

Just because you're busy though, doesn't give you an excuse to eat garbage. If you're in a hurry, why not try some of the following snacks that are full of nutrients we all need.

• Nuts, seeds, dried fruit and cereal provide your body with iron, which is essential for supplying oxygen to red blood cells .
• Grab a handful of peanuts, walnuts or sunflower seeds (or use avocado as a sandwich spread) to increase your consumption of heart-healthy folate.
  
• A lot of people think they should stay away from cheese, but the truth is the tasty, quick and simple snack is full of calcium, which is great for strong bones and teeth.
• We all know why fiber is important -- it prevents the risk of some cancers as well as the risk of constipation -- so up your fiber intake by snacking on fruits and veggies or by eating a high-fiber cereal for breakfast (some fiber cereals also taste good when added to a cup of yogurt).

For more information on tasty, low-calorie and-fat alternatives to typical snacks, as well as suggestions for eating healthier at a fast food restaurants, take a look here.