"Healthy convenience foods can sometimes be a challenge to find because of the highly processed selections out there," says Nicole Britvan, a dietitian at the Kaiser Permanente Outpatient Nutrition Clinic in San Francisco. "A good rule is to look for foods with the shortest ingredient list." You don't have to analyze every label, but scan the list for high-fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and avoid them. Here are some healthy and convenient snack ideas:

• Canned fruit. Skip those brands that saturate your "five a day" in sugary syrup.
• Canned veggies. Most canned vegetables are packaged at the peak of freshness, preserving nutrients. Steer clear of added salt and preservatives.
• Smoothies. Blend yogurt, fresh or frozen fruit, and all-natural juices. Add some spices — a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg tastes great — and you've got a great breakfast! Too busy to mix your own? Grab a yogurt drink and go.
• Canned beans. Simple to prepare, inexpensive, and a good source of protein, iron, and zinc. Look out for too much sodium.
• Berries, cottage cheese, and nuts. Mix these three together and you have antioxidants, protein, and calcium all in one package!
• Sunflower seeds.They contain vitamin E, magnesium, folic acid and other B vitamins. Try to avoid the heavily salted varieties.
• Edamame (soybeans). They're packed with vitamin A and protein. You can buy them already cooked and ready to eat in the produce department or precooked and frozen in the freezer section.
• Air-popped popcorn. Make your own by putting 1/3 cup raw kernels in a brown lunch bag. Seal the bag tightly and microwave it for 2 1/2 minutes.