Popcorn! Yes, corn is a whole grain. It’s been given a bad rap for being low in nutritional value, but the truth is that it’s low in calories, virtually fat free, and a good source of energy building carbohydrates. Don’t fear whole grain carbohydrates. They are essential in maintaining optimal health.

Ditch the pre-packaged garbage at snack time and get back to whole foods. Pre-packaged snacks and microwave popcorn are loaded with hydrogenated oils and a multitude of other ingredients that I won’t attempt to spell, let alone eat!

Do what I do if you're feeling like you have the munchies:

Pull out the old air popper and put in a couple spoonfuls of popcorn, dribble a little bit of pure olive oil over the top, add a dash of low-sodium salt, sprinkle a few tablespoons of nutritional yeast over the top, and voila!

You can find nutritional yeast at most health food stores. It adds a rich flavor to your popcorn and salads, and is full of B vitamins and folic acid. It’s also a good source of protein abundant in essential amino acids, which can be especially important for the health of vegetarians.

While you're browsing through the health food store you might also be able to find some organic popcorn in the bulk section, which can come in multiple colors and add a little pizzazz to your popcorn.