6 Snacks Nutritionists Always Have on Hand

A sharper mind and better stress-control are just a few of the benefits chocolate may deliver; while almonds are one of the most satisfying snacks you can eat. Put them together and you've got one of Eat Complete author Drew Ramsey, MD's top between-meals bites; his favorite: dark chocolate-covered almonds).

For nutritionist Megan Wolf, whose new book is called Great Meals with Greens and Grains, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches contain her three must-haves for a healthy snack: good fats, fiber and protein. She makes herself a half-sandwich using whole grain bread, low-sugar jelly and a peanut butter containing just two ingredients: peanuts and salt.

If you're experiencing carrot-stick-dunked-in-hummus ennui, try this twist from Los Angeles dietitian Marie Feldman. She cuts a cucumber in half, lengthwise, scoops out the seeds with a spoon and cuts each half in two, crosswise. Then, she fills the trough with hummus, or goat cheese, for a fresh-tasting, protein-filled snack.

Wolf loves to keep a bag of popcorn around for when she's craving something crunchy; plus, she can eat a lot of it (as much as three cups!) while staying within the parameters of a nutritious snack (her homemade version has 93 calories, 1 gram of fat, 4 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein). She starts with air-popped popcorn, then often adds some sliced, or chopped, nuts to up the protein quotient.

The bites that San Francisco nutritionist Rebecca Katz keeps within arm's reach would be just as appropriate at a cocktail party as they are at home on the couch. The author of Clean Soups loves to munch on olives, finding them very satiating (plus, the unpitted varieties can take a while to eat, so it's hard to pop them like candy); as well as toasted pumpkin seeds, which are a nutritious alternative to potato chips, especially if you make them yourself.

Dr. Ramsey says a small, red organic apple is one of his go-to snacks because it's inexpensive, transports well and can't be scarfed down in 30 seconds. In fact, he tries to take a full five minutes to eat an apple, stepping away from whatever he's doing, taking a few mindful breaths and just enjoying the sweet fruit. The fiber fills him up and the break from his day leaves him feeling recharged.