Is Trail Mix a Good Snack?
I have found that trail mix is kind of a dark horse in the snack realm. With so many ingredient options being created each and every day, the simplicity and individuality of trail mix can be a no brainer!
In my opinion, trail mix provides all the things that a snack should have: fiber, protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. That’s why it is so common amongst hikers- it is a culmination of all of the macronutrients that one might need to have a quick refuel!
There are a ton of great pre-made options in grocery stores, but my favorite way to enjoy trail mix is by creating my own!
Here are a few elements to consider when creating your own trail mix:
Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, mango, dates, strawberries, apples, cherries, banana, etc.)
Nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, etc.)
Granola (homemade, Kind, Purely Elizabeth, Bear Naked, Nature Valley, Love Crunch, etc.)
Pretzels / popcorn
Sweets (chocolate chips, M&Ms, chocolate covered fruits, etc.)
Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin)
Cereal (Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Life, etc.)
Coconut flakes
There are a lot recipes on the internet to follow if you feel uncomfortable experimenting on your own, however, trail mix is really hard to get wrong. And, much of the time my clients have most of these ingredients at home. If not, it’s easy to make a quick run to the grocery and stock up. It’s a worthy investment for a ready-to-go snack when getting ready to hit the trail!
Written by Trinny Duncan, Student Intern and Peggy Pratt, PhD, RDN, LDN, CEDS-C