Trail mix is one of those snacks that’s super easy to put together, is frugal, and makes a ton! Allison loves it when I make special trail mixes because it’s always something different every time. Of course, being 4, she usually picks out just the chocolate and leaves the rest; but sometimes she’ll eat the whole thing!
When I pick snacks for myself, I usually choose 2 that has at least two of either protein, fat, and carbs. I’m always hungry, so I need a combination to keep me from starving. Trail mix can be really good at that! And you can make trail mix as healthy or “indulgent” as you’d like. Here’s how to make trail mix to suit your needs:
Carbs
This one’s the most important to me. Carbs make me feel better and give me more energy, so I try to include one of the following:
- Pretzels
- Chex
- Miniature crackers (Could be cheese or peanut butter-filled)
- Goldfish
- Cheerios
Fat
Eating just carbs won’t do anything to fill me up, so I need some fat to be able to last until the next meal. Here are things you could include:
- Peanuts
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Pumpkin seeds
I prefer peanuts over pumpkin seeds because the pumpkin seeds are a little too small for me to pick up.
Dried fruit
Make your trail mix a little sweeter by adding some some dried fruit! I try to look for ones that don’t have added sugar (so hard to find!), but add whatever you prefer. Here are some good options:
- Raisins
- Cranberries
- Cherries
- Bananas
Treat
Allison will tell you that no trail mix is complete without some sort of sweet treat. Those are the first parts she goes after, so I have to be careful not to put too many in her bowl or else that’s all she’ll eat. Here are things that go well in trail mix:
- M&Ms
- Chocolate chips
- Reeses Pieces
- Chocolate covered raisins
- Miniature cookies/animal crackers
Since we’re currently doing a pantry challenge, I plan to attempt a good number of combinations of what we have so Allison doesn’t get bored. Check my Instagram page for updates, or search the hashtag #pantrychallenge318 !
What kinds of foods do you put in your trail mix? Leave a comment below and give us ideas!
Jaime is a Nutrition Coach through the ISSA and professional writer. She has 4 years experience coaching and 9 years experience in writing. She enjoys cooking easy meals, running, and learning more about food.
Jaime specializes in helping women with ADHD learn to meal plan and cook healthier meals without getting overwhelmed.