7 healthy snack ideas without the guilt

So you decide to embark on cleaning up your diet, but it doesn't mean you have to forego all convenience food. There are plenty of clean snacking options now with minimal ingredients and free of inflammatory oils.

Sometimes we just need to grab something quick or prepare for a long travel day and having healthy options in our pocket is a must. Here are some of my favorite snacking options that don't derail my efforts to eat healthy and feel great!

Epic Bars: These are my favorite healthy protein bar option and keep me satisfied for hours.

I grab these for when I'm hiking, need a quick breakfast, or pair with a piece of fruit as a meal replacement when I can't get to my kitchen.

My favorite flavor is the beef apple bacon but they have an array of options. I can find these at most health food stores as they are quickly gaining popularity.

Jackson's Honest Chips: When I first started cleaning up my diet I figured the days of chips and dip were long gone. Most commercial chips are cooked in processed oils and have a long list of unrecognizable ingredients.

So naturally I was thrilled when I discovered Jackson's Honest Chips that boast just three ingredients: sweet potatoes, coconut oil, and salt.

They have since expanded their offerings to include such classic flavors as barbecue, sea salt, and even tortilla chips.

Grab your favorite dip and give these healthy chips a try!

Coconut Butter packets: Something about eating an apple and peanut butter gives a sense of nostalgia and a snack we all know well. But with nut allergies on the rise and many people avoiding peanuts, many are confused on how to recreate this classic snack.

There are many options for nut butters today but one of my favorites is coconut butter. It provides satiating healthy fat but also the natural sweetness that comes from coconuts. These packets make it convenient to eat (and not tempt yourself to eat straight form the jar!)

Substitute coconut butter for any way you'd use peanut butter or just eat it on it's own for an afternoon pick me up. The options really are endless.

Apple chips: One of my favorite fruit to eat fresh and dried, is an apple. They are a great source of healthy carbohydrate and can be used in sweet and savory dishes alike.

These make for a great convenient food option that you can find in almost any grocery stores. My favorite variety are the ones that are coated in cinnamon.

Dried apples are also great because they can come in crunchy or chewy texture, whichever you are craving at the moment.

Plantain chips: I consider plantains to be my favorite food find in recent times. In my quest to find healthy carbohydrate sources, I stumbled upon plantains and was immediately hooked.

They have a neutral flavor, much like potatoes, that can be used in a variety of ways. Dip them in guacamole, crumble them over a salad, or just satisfy your snack craving.

These are cooked in sunflower oil, which is a safer oil than the more inflammatory ones such as canola or soybean.

RX Bars: These bars are the perfect substitute to any conventional granola bar filled with preservatives and artificial ingredients. RX Bars list their real food ingredients in big bold letters so there is no second guessing.

Using dates as a sweetener, these bars also incorporate egg whites and nuts for a source of protein. The best part of this brand is the multitude of flavors.

Chocolate coconut, coffee, pumpkin spice, and mint chocolate are just some of the many flavors to try.

Dang coconut strips: Even though I don't have much of a sweet tooth, these are a fun option for when the occasional craving does strike. These are crunchy in texture and are sweetened with cane sugar with a hint of salt.

Some of my favorite things to top these strips with are smoothie bowls, baked sweet potatoes, frozen fruit, and roasted root vegetables.

As with any food you are buying off the shelves be sure to check the ingredient list and only eat those you recognize. Healthy eating and snacking can still exist together when youare cognizant of what is in your food. Happy snacking!