Jackson Free Press

In my journey to health, I've discovered that the key to any diet change is snacking. It keeps you full so your mind doesn't wander to the cake, cookies and chips. When you're used to a diet filled with lots of bread, protein, processed foods and sugary drinks and, of course, not enough fruits and vegetables, changing is a big task. You might feel hungry more than usual, because, let's be honest, a healthy salad isn't as filling as a giant slice of pizza.

If you're going through a major diet change like I am, snacking is your best friend, and they don't all have to be boring. Here are a few of my favorite easy-to-prepare, delicious and clean ones.

Laerabars—These are mostly vegan, non-GMO and gluten free, and they're worth 1/4 cup the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommended fruit intake. The wonderful part is that they taste really great.

Cucumbers and quick maple mustard —Dress sliced cucumbers with a sauce of spicy brown or Dijon mustard with maple syrup. Use a 2:1 ratio to start out and adjust to your tastes.

Dark chocolate—Did you know that cocoa is actually a superfood? Dark chocolate is high in vitamin and minerals, including potassium and iron. It's also filled with antioxidants and other good things that rid your body of toxins and make you happy. Remember, the higher the percentage of cocoa, the less you find ingredients like sugar and soy lecithin. Remember to only indulge in small amounts of sweets.

Homemade Popsicles—If you find yourself hungry on a hot day, these are easy to grab. You can find Popsicle trays at local grocery stores. Juice whatever fruit you want, add it to the tray and freeze. You can also cut fruit and put it in coconut water for good flavor, a decent amount of vitamins and a cold, sweet bite.

Melon and prosciutto—Salty and sweet is my favorite flavor combination, so this hits the mark. Use a melon such as honeydew or cantaloupe. Don't make the mistake I did and eat the meat with watermelon. The contrasting textures are strange.

Strawberries and hazelnut butter—I use organic hazelnut butter. It's more expensive, but it tastes better than regular brands and is healthier.

Dried fruits While fruit is an easy snack to carry around, it sometimes leaks into your lunch bag or goes bad quickly. If you want the benefits of fruit while not having to lug around a container of mango, invest in some dried fruits. You can make these yourself with a dehydrator (it's expensive, though) or you can find dried fruit not covered in tons of sugar or salt. Look for the organic kind at places like Rainbow Co-op (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602).

Nuts I keep a bag of pistachios at my desk to snack on when I need a little protein in my life. They're easy to carry around and a great snack to have, although I would limit the amount you eat. One cup of natural almonds has 45 grams of fat, and if you get them roasted, salted or anything else like that, you only add more fat and processed elements. You can find organic nuts at Rainbow Co-op in serve-yourself bins.

If you work or go to school every day, invest in a bento box or plastic to-go containers and an eco-friendly lunch bag. This way, you'll have everything with you and can just get it when you need it, instead of waiting until mealtime to eat. The important thing is to keep yourself from being hungry by snacking a little throughout the day.