In a perfect world, you’d have an array of tasty, healthy snacks prepared for car travel every single day. Not only that, but they’d be things your kids adore, too. Homemade fruit chips. Whole grain cereal in perfectly sized baggies. An emergency peanut butter sandwich or two.

Of course, in real life, most of us are much too busy struggling to get everyone in the car and buckled up to do much advance preparation. Most times, I even forget such necessary items as my purse, the only CD the entire car can agree upon, and the mental note I made to myself to be sure and run a brush through my hair before I went out in public.

This type of harried lifestyle is precisely what convenience stores and the fast food industry capitalize on. Knowing full well that hunger is a common side effect of road travel – especially with kids – they offer the types of snacks that grab our immediate attention: chips, candy bars, hamburgers, and giant-sized sodas.

In addition to the high calorie and fat content of these items, they’re also more likely to increase discomfort while driving. Those large energy drinks lend themselves to emergency bathroom breaks, and fried foods can quickly make any carsickness issues worse.

If you do find that a stop at the convenience store is a must, opt for healthy alternatives that pack the right combination of protein and fiber. They’re in there – you just have to look for them.

• Fruit: Most convenience stores have a fruit bowl located somewhere near the register. An apple or a banana might cost you more than it will at the grocery store, but it’s still a better choice than a candy bar.

• Milk: Avoid the sugary chocolate varieties and pick up a small carton of low-fat milk. This is great when combined with a fruit option.

• Single-serving cereal: Go for something without sugar and easy to eat with your hands.

• Hard-boiled eggs: Often kept in the deli section, these pre-packaged treats are full of protein and are less likely to make a mess in the car than many other options.

• Packaged nuts: Although eating the whole bag of almonds or peanuts might provide more calories than you want, a small handful can stave off the worst hunger pangs and give you a boost of healthy oils and protein.

• Juice: As is the case with milk, avoid varieties with a high sugar content or high-fructose corn syrup. Look for the 100% juice label instead.

• Whole wheat crackers: Options like shredded wheat crackers can be especially tasty and healthy when paired with string cheese.

One of the great things about snacking in the car is that once you’ve made your purchase and buckled everyone back in, you’re stuck with the choice you made. By picking out healthy options for yourself and the kids, you’re making the trip easier on all of you.