Ever find yourself running late in the morning and skipping breakfast to get to the airport on time? Or bypassing lunch to finish a report? We've become such a nation of on-the-go nibblers that one of the major requirements of food is that it be portable. And long distances aren't required: The path from canteen vending machine to desk is the most well-traveled of all. We all know those are poor choices -- gooey doughnuts, sticky candy bars, fake cheese crackers. You fill the pit of your stomach, but the pendulum of hunger swings on from one missed meal to the next. Still, what are the options? Here's one: With a little planning, you can pull a delicious, healthy snack out of your briefcase or bag that will bridge the space between rush hour and midnight oil and make you forget all those other joyless journeys to the land of junk.

The major payoff is in your mouth -- who can resist the allure of scones, biscotti, muffins? But making your own between-meals snacks also placates your head and body because you're in charge of your own engine. "I think it adds a psychic value when you make something in your own kitchen," says Georgia Kostas, director of nutrition at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas and author of The Balancing Act: Nutrition and Weight Guide. "It's a whole different satisfaction that you're nourishing your body when you choose something that's homemade as opposed to something that's purchased." You shouldn't make a habit of missing regular meals, of course, but let's stay real. And if you want to do that, these snacks are real good.

Snacks to Go
Most of these breads and snack bars will stay moist and fresh-tasting for a couple of days if they are stored properly. Let the muffins, scones, and bars cool completely. Divide into individual portions, and wrap each portion in a piece of heavy-duty plastic wrap. These snacks can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature, or reheat them in the microwave for 30 seconds. Store the granola in individual zip-top plastic bags for quick grab-to-go snacks.