Any healthy eating plan is not complete without some great healthy snacks included. Everyone wants a snack now and then, but the key is to make those snacks healthy and nutritious as well as delicious. In addition to that they need to be enjoyed without a feeling of guilt.

The following are 7 healthy eating snacks:

> A piece of fresh fruit, like an apple, orange or banana always makes a great snack.  Keep a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter or on the coffee table for easy access and it will also encourage to whole family to eat healthier.

> 2 rice cakes topped with low fat cottage cheese and pineapple.

> 2 small or 1 standard warmed pita bread filled with a mixture of salad leaves, cucumber, thinly sliced tomatoes, salad onions and a sprinkling of pepper. Tasty, healthy and very filling.

> Some of the tastiest and easiest fresh vegetable snacks include baby carrots or carrot slices, bite size vegetables such as broccoli florets, radishes and green peppers, fresh vegetable juice and fresh vegetable salads.

> Mix ½ cup smoked salmon trimmings with 1-2 tablespoons cream cheese or yogurt. Add 1 tsp finely chopped capers if desired, spread on wholegrain bread.

> Try using bagels, pita bread or tortilla shells with a tasty filling like chopped chicken mixed in low fat yoghurt with salad leaves and thinly sliced tomatoes and cucumber.

> A small handful of unsalted nuts and a small handful of raisins mixed together.

Replacing all those unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives is one of the best ways to keep snack cravings from sidetracking your healthy eating goals.