Repeat after us: snacking isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Now, there are certainly snacks that are better for you than others. But generally speaking, when you snack responsibly, you should feel good about making these small bites a part of your overall balanced diet.

“Even though snacking has developed a ‘bad image,’ snacks can be an important part of your diet,” reports the National Institutes of Health. “[Snacks] can provide energy in the middle of the day or when you exercise. A healthy snack between meals can also decrease your hunger and keep you from overeating at meal time.”

When snacking is used as a way to stave-off hunger or add fuel before or after a workout, it’s crucial that you choose quality over quantity. That means apples over potato chips, popcorn over French fries, and granola bars over candy bars. Snacking is a great opportunity to eat clean, boost your fruits and veggies for the day, and limit fat and sugar.

Try these healthy snacks as shared by the experts who enjoy them!

Trail mix with peanuts, almonds, cashews, raisins, and dried cranberries is what the good doctor keeps in his desk.

It gives me that boost of energy late in the day that I need if I’m going to be on the air.  — Richard Besser, MD, Chief Health and Medical Editor for ABC News

Almond butter + toasted whole grain waffle with a few thin slices of mango or strawberries.

It’s the perfect blend of protein, whole grain carbs and healthy fat. Decadent + delish at the same time! — Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, owner of BetterThanDieting.com and author or Read It Before You Eat It

Fresh fruit. 

Because [it satisfies] my late afternoon sweet cravings and I find the high water content to be very refreshing, especially on hot days. — Coach Alison Heilig, a runner, triathlete, and all-around fitness enthusiast at AcaciaTV.

Nitrate-free deli turkey with fresh avocado.

Just roll the avocado up with the turkey and eat! Protein-rich and full of healthy fats, it keeps you fueled. — Jennipher Walters, CEO/Co-founder FitBottomedGirls.com

High-protein oatmeal with almond butter and berries. This recipe has 1/3 cup oats cooked in 3/4 c almond milk, 2 scoops protein powder, 1 TB almond butter, 1/2 cup frozen berries.

I tend to eat small meals as snacks, so this might seem large, but I lean on this one a ton. — Holly Perkins, CSCS, author of Lift to Get Lean.

Green juice with lemon and half an apple to take the edge off the bitterness.

My favorite snack, if I’m stopping in to a restaurant or something, is a green juice. I love the infusion of a lot of vegetables that I don’t have to clean or slice or juice myself. — Kate Hanley, author of The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide and a mind-body blogger for AcaciaTV.

Fresh fruit with plain yogurt (homemade by me) with one tablespoon milled golden flax (Bob’s Red Mill) and 1 teaspoon sugar.

When I am hungry in between meals, I NEVER eat too much. — Mary Hartley, RD of AskMaryRD.com.

Smashed avocado on a slice of whole-grain bread.

I love to cook, but I save anything complicated for dinners. For sanity’s sake, I keep my snacks simple. When it comes to snacking, I try to have a combination of protein, fat and carbohydrates so that I’ll be more satisfied and it’ll last a little longer. — Kelly Plowe, MS, RD, Sr. Supervising Producer for LiveStrong.com