1. Avocado and quinoa

My favorite way to eat this is to dice half an avocado in the skin, then gradually mix with the quinoa while eating. This is fastest with a microwavable single serve cup of quinoa and my personal favorite as a snack.

2. Sauteed portabello mushroom

I will usually make this in a pan and towards the end of the cooking time add spinach or other veggies. The mushroom takes about 5 minutes to cook, but make sure it is dark gray or brown before removing it from the heat. This is perfect if you are having a meal with meat-eaters.

3. Chickpeas

This recipe takes a bit longer but is easy to reheat if you make extra. Rinse a can of chickpeas and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then add olive oil, paprika, and garlic salt, making sure to coat the chickpeas thoroughly before placing them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

My cousin first made this for a get together at her apartment to make wedding plans, and it is the perfect snack to munch on like chips. I prefer to cook them enough that the seasoning sets in, but not so long that they get hard and crunchy, although some people prefer that texture.

4. Mushroom and cheese quesadillas

This is an easy microwave meal where you place shredded cheese and canned mushrooms in a tortilla and microwave for about a minute. This is another quick recipe that can be a snack or a meal depending on your chosen portion.

5. Fruit

As a sugar maniac, I love sweet snacks, and fruit is a great alternative to processed food. My personal favorite is raspberries, but when I am not feeling well I find that bananas can help settle the stomach or headaches.