Are you looking for a quick snack which you can eat on the go and is quick to prepare? Why not try a bunch of grapes?

Table grape consumption has increased by 50 percent over the past 10 years, with grapes being hailed as the perfect snack alternative to highly processed packaged foods like chips.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that grape consumption jumped from 2kg to nearly 3kg per capita.

Australian Olympic and Commonwealth games gold medallist Libby Trickett is a high-level grape advocate.

"Australia has the best quality grapes in the world and now is the time to munch a bunch a grapes," Trickett said in a statement from the Australian Table Grape Association.

Grapes are not only a great-tasting and refreshing snack, they have lots of health benefits. They have been given a low glycemic index certification from the Glycemic Index Foundation, they also contain a lot of fibre, are a good source of vitamin C and B6, and — being more than 80 percent water — can help you to stay hydrated throughout the day.

They contain a substance found in the skin called resveratrol, which can protect against inflammation, viruses, heart disease and ageing. Red grapes contain the same amount of antioxidants as red wine, without the alcohol.

"I've always been careful about what I eat because, as a professional swimmer, we ask a lot of our bodies," Trickett said. "Grapes are like nature's super-food for me, because they have so much going for them. They're a great snack and for those looking to increase their fruit consumption, they can be added to a whole host of recipes."

ATGA chairman Nick Muraca said the spread of grape-growing regions across Australia means the fruit is in season for about seven months — from May until November — every year. Grapes are grown in northern Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and southern Victoria.

"Grapes are a healthy lifestyle choice for people of all ages," Muraca said. "They are a delicious portable snack option when you're on the go; ideal for grazing on throughout the day, making them the ideal sneak between meals and the fruit of choice for both children and adults."

To choose the best bunch of grapes from your local supermarket or greengrocer, the ATGA recommends consumers look for bunches with stems that are green, not brown, with firm, plump fruit that is firmly attached to the stem. Red and black varieties of grapes should have a fine silvery coating, this is not dust or pesticide but a naturally occurring bloom which protects the fruit's freshness.

Unlike other fruits, once picked, grapes do not ripen any further, so when choosing fruit make sure it's ready to eat. If you store grapes in an airtight plastic container in the fridge, they should stay fresh for up to a few weeks, plus chilling them enhances their natural crispness.

Searching for grape inspiration? For great recipe and snack ideas click here.

YOUR SAY: How do you keep grapes fresh? What's the best way to enjoy grapes? Share your tips below.