Trail mix is a combination of dried fruits, nuts, oats and various healthy ingredients. There are many brands, flavors and countless ways to make it. Trail mix is an ideal snack because it is quick to make, tasty, light-weight and easy to store or take on the go. It provides a balanced amount of carbohydrates in the dried fruit or granola and the nuts help sustain energy.
Trail mix is great in the morning to jump-start your day, an uplifting snack for the mid-day slump and a healthy snack to munch on between meals. Its also a healthy, energy boosting snack for kids that will be something they enjoy and a way for you to give them a nutritious snack!
Most store bought trail mix contains M&Ms or some form of chocolate, has added sodium and hidden sugars. I have come up with a home made recipe that is cheap, quick, tasty and healthy. Of course you can add to it like my fiance does but added ingredients increase the level of sugar, carbs, fat, etc. Yes, added nuts and flavored this or that is yummy but it might not be as nutritious. If you are going for taste over nutrition, feel free to add things you enjoy. When making homemade trail mix I recommend using store brand items because they are cheaper and taste the exact same as name brand products.
Jenna’s Homemade Trail Mix Recipe
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried mango (cut into small pieces)
1 cup dried pineapple
1 small bag of banana chips
1 cup granola cereal (the crunchy cluster kind is the best!)
1 can of Planter’s Nut-rition mix of cashews, almonds and macadamias
1 cup vanilla yogurt raisins
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup coconut flakes
I haven’t been able to find any dried papaya but I would like to add 1 cup of it to my mix so if you are able to locate some, add it to the above ingredients.
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a plastic air-tight container and shake vigorously until all ingredients have been distributed evenly. Prepare pre-portioned handy snack packs for on-the-go convenient snacking by placing approximately 1 cup into Zip-lock bags. Enjoy!!
For more snacking ideas click here or for motivations to start eating healthy click here.
