Long car rides and traveling offer many opportunities to load up on unhealthy snacks and countless calories, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Just because you’re not eating at home, doesn’t mean you have to let yourself and your kids eat whatever comes your way.

Here’re some examples of healthy snacks for kids and adults to keep mind.

Go nuts Nuts are the ultimate snack because they are high in protein and low in saturated fat and carbohydrates. Raw almonds are your best bet, and walnuts are also good. Roasted or salted nuts are not the best choice and stay away from the sugar-coated ones!

Fruity treats Whenever possible, pack some easy-to-eat fresh fruits, like apples, peaches and cherries that have an edible peel so you don’t have to do any work.

You can also opt for dried fruits – these days there’s everything from papayas to mangos – which are rich in nutrients too. Just avoid banana chips, because they’re fried.

Turkey to go All-natural turkey jerky is very satisfying. It takes a while to chew (so you won’t gobble it up too quickly), and it offers solid protein with lots of added flavor.

Hearty cereal Bag up plain shredded-wheat squares or puffed-wheat cereal. They’re easy to eat and packed with filling whole grains. [via: OK!]