Make Your Own Healthy Trail Mix

Whether you’re snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or snow tubing with the fam, make sure you’re packing the right food to keep you fueled. Trail mix is an excellent take-along snack that provides the complex carbs and protein you need to keep you going all day long.

The typical trail mix contains a base of raisins and peanuts, though many people prefer a more “sophisticated” trail mix, boasting cashews or dark chocolate. The following ingredients are great in trail mixes, so choose your favourite components and go nuts!

• Nuts such as almonds, peanuts, cashews, pecans, and hazelnuts. To up your selenium intake, add Brazil nuts, which contain nearly 800 percent of our daily recommended intake of the antioxidant.
• Dried fruit such as apricots, mango, pineapple, raisins, cherries, bananas, apples, or dates. Avoid added sugar and sulphites found in many in store-bought varieties and instead try drying your own.
• Dark chocolate chips or candy-covered chocolate pieces. Make sure to choose organic, Fair Trade-certified chocolate.
• Crunchy bits such as popcorn, pretzels, or your favourite organic cereal or granola.

Make a large batch of trail mix and divide it into individual containers for a quick snack on the go. Snackers beware, however, as trail mix is nutrient dense, meaning it contains more calories in a smaller serving that most foods. This characteristic makes it an ideal snack to take on an adventure, as we can pack less; however, portion control is important. A handful is generally a good amount.

Feeling uninspired to make up your own mix? Give our recipes a try.

• Maple-Glazed Trail Mix
• Cocoa GORP