The Healthiest Store-Bought Trail Mixes You Can Buy, According to a Dietitian
A well-balanced trail mix can help curb hunger, provides steady energy, and makes healthy snacking much more convenient.
Trail mix has been a go-to snack for hikers and students for decades, but you don't have to hit the trails or the school cafeteria to enjoy its many benefits. A well-balanced trail mix offers a satisfying combination of healthy fats, protein, fiber, and carbohydrates that can help curb hunger, provide steady energy, and make healthy snacking more convenient. Research even suggests that nuts and seeds, which form the foundation of many trail mixes, can be a nutritious addition to a balanced diet, and regular consumption has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Unfortunately, not every trail mix deserves a spot in your pantry. Some varieties contain more candy than nuts, along with excessive added sugars, sodium, and refined ingredients that can turn a nutritious snack into more of a dessert. The healthiest options are built around nutrient-dense ingredients like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, with only small amounts of chocolate or other sweet additions.
For your convenience, we’ve put together a list of the healthiest trail mixes you can buy right now, and have identified what makes each one worth adding to your shopping cart.
What To Look for When Choosing a Trail Mix:
When deciding on the perfect trail mix, take a look at the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel. Here's what I recommend keeping an eye out for:
Nuts should be the first ingredient.
Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, peanuts, and cashews provide heart-healthy unsaturated fats, plant protein, fiber, and several vitamins and minerals.
Choose mixes with seeds.
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and pepitas provide a source of protein, healthy fats, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants.
Look for unsweetened or lightly sweetened dried fruit.
Dried fruit adds natural sweetness, fiber, and antioxidants, but some brands coat fruit with added sugar. Choose products where dried fruit isn't the primary ingredient whenever possible.
Keep candy to a minimum.
A few dark chocolate pieces are perfectly fine, but trail mixes loaded with chocolate candies can significantly increase added sugar.
Watch the sodium.
Lightly salted varieties can fit into a healthy diet, but heavily salted mixes may contribute unnecessary sodium.
Remember portion size.
Trail mix is nutrient-dense, but it's also calorie-dense. A serving is typically about 1/4 cup or one ounce. Pre-portioned packs can help make mindful snacking easier.
The 7 Healthiest Store-Bought Trail Mixes You Can Buy:
This trail mix offers a delicious balance of nutrition and flavor, combining almonds, cashews, and peanuts with antioxidant-rich dried cherries and cranberries, plus a few pieces of dark chocolate for just the right amount of sweetness. This combination provides a source of plant-based protein and fiber along with heart-healthy unsaturated fats to help make this a satisfying snack.
For those who prefer a trail mix that leans more savory than sweet, this blend combines nuts, seeds, and raisins with a flavorful spice mix for a little heat and a touch of sugar. The nuts and seeds provide plant-based protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, while the raisins add chewy texture and natural sweetness. It’s a satisfying alternative to more traditional chocolate-heavy trail mixes.
If you’re looking to add more plant-based omega-3s to your snack routine, this trail mix makes it easy with a combination of walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds. A 1/4-cup serving provides 7 grams of high-quality protein and 2 grams of satisfying fiber, helping to make it a nourishing choice between meals. Plus, it’s vegan and gluten-free, making it a great option for a variety of dietary needs.
For a sweet and salty snack that delivers some nutritional benefits, this Orchard Valley Harvest OMG Omega-3 Mix combines walnuts, almonds, and pistachios with cranberries and dark chocolate blueberries. Each serving provides 4 grams of plant-based protein and is an excellent source of ALA omega-3s. It’s also gluten-free, Non-GMO Project Verified, and made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Chocolate lovers, this one is for you! Despite its indulgent double-chocolate flavor, this mix still packs plenty of nutrition thanks to almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds. A 1/4-cup serving provides an impressive 7 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, along with heart-healthy fats from nuts and seeds. And with just 4 grams of total sugar and 2 grams of added sugar per serving, it’s a great way to satisfy a chocolate craving while still getting some nutritional benefits.
For a mix that delivers on both flavor and nutrition, WildRoots Omega Powerhouse Trail Mix combines roasted almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds with strawberries, banana chips, granola clusters, and cocoa drops for a satisfying mix of sweet, salty, and crunchy. It’s also an excellent source of ALA omega-3s, providing 320 milligrams per serving, or 20% of the Daily Value. It’s a convenient option for an afternoon snack, road trip, or anytime you need a little extra fuel.
For a simple trail mix without a long list of extras, Kar’s Cranberry Almond Delight keeps things classic with gently roasted and salted peanuts, whole almonds, and tart dried cranberries. The peanuts and almonds provide plant-based protein and heart-healthy unsaturated fats, while the cranberries add a chewy texture and a sweet-tart flavor. It’s a straightforward option when you want a satisfying combination of salty, crunchy, and sweet.
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