If you struggle to find healthy snacking options, you're not alone! Snacks can add up to a lot of food over the course of a day and can often be a source of absent-minded eating (i.e. we may be doing other things at the same time and aren't fully aware of what we're eating or how much we are eating).

If you are often finding yourself reaching for junk food or other convenience foods and want something that's better for your body, here are some healthy snacking substitutes.

Instead of: A packet of chips

Opt for popcorn. A handful of air popped plain popcorn is the best option, but we're realistic enough to know this doesn't appeal to everyone. More calorie-dense popcorns include caramel corn (lots of sugar) or super buttery popcorn (higher in fat), while at the other end of the scale you've got popcorn with a light sprinkling of salt or other herbs/spices.

Instead of: Milk or white chocolate

Have several squares of dark chocolate. The thing that makes milkier chocolate moreish tends to be the sugar content. Dark chocolate has more health properties and you're less likely to want a lot of it.

Instead of: Juice or soft drinks

Eat whole fruit. You'll get vitamins, nutrients, phytochemicals and dietary fibre which will help you feel more full than liquid drinks (plus fibre is essential for digestive system health).

You could have one larger piece - such as an apple, pear, banana or orange, or a handful of smaller fruit - such as blueberries or grapes.

Instead of: A chocolate bar

Try two or three bliss balls (also called raw energy balls). Often made solely from fruit and nuts, these are a great option for filling you up, giving you a quick hit of energy, and providing healthy fats, fibre and protein.

Just be aware that if you're buying a readymade snack pack of these, they often hold more than one serving.

Other snacking ideas

Some more ideas to keep you going between meals include:

• Hummus with celery or carrot sticks
• Greek yoghurt with fresh fruit
• Cherry tomatoes
• Pretzels - just need to watch it on the salt content so eat in moderation (as with everything else!)
• Edamame beans
• Trail mix
• Nuts - so much variety! Brazil, cashews, macadamias, almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios
• Seeds - Sunflower, pumpkin

Or... you could always just snack on what you like but stick to the correct portion sizes that are right for your body and practice your healthy eating habits such as eating slowly and mindfully.

Something to think about: Is constant snacking a problem?

Some people are grazers and snacking throughout the day just fits in well with their lifestyle and metabolism - if this works for you, have a think about whether it's something that really needs to be changed.

If you're still keen to do something about it, you could focus on quality, nutritious snacks, or alternatively look at upping the protein and fibre content in your main meals to help keep you fuller for longer.

Image / DepositPhotos