The nuts and seeds found in trail mix are rich in heart-healthy fats, including poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids ( 4 ). Studies show that unsaturated fats could decrease high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease ( 5 ).
Is It OK to Eat Trail Mix Every Day? Moderation and variety are standard for building a healthy and sustainable way of eating, but if you just can’t stay away, from the delicious mix you’ve selected, be sure to make it part of a balanced day of meals and snacks.
Here are a few health-minded tips make your trail mix shopping a breeze: Look for unsalted nuts to keep the sodium down. For the carb-conscious, be aware of added sugar in some types of dried fruit and/or additions like candy-coated chocolate. Add dried edamame or chickpeas for nutritious, savory flavor.
For those with a nut allergy, seeds and pepitas can serve as substitutes for a nut base in your trail mix. If you’re watching your macros or overall calorie intake, keep an eye on the variety of ingredients you choose, how much you eat at once and how frequently you add trail mix into your meal plan. Is It OK to Eat Trail Mix Every Day?
Why is trail mix good for you?
It’s an excellent choice if you’re traveling, hiking, or going on a road trip because it provides good energy and is compact and easy to enjoy.
Trail mix is a snack mix that was originally developed as a portable and convenient snack for hikers. Although the ingredients can vary, most varieties include granola, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Some types also contain popcorn, cereal, candy, or chocolate chips, along with spices and seasonings like sea salt, garlic powder, thyme, cinnamon, …
Therefore, it’s important to keep your portion sizes in check to avoid overeating and prevent weight gain. summary. Some types of trail mix may be high in added sugar and sodium. Trail mix also contains many calorie-dense ingredients, so controlling your portion sizes is important.
Certain varieties of trail mix may also include sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Not all types of trail mix are considered equal in terms of nutrition.
Be sure to avoid trail mix varieties with high amounts of added sugar or sodium, and choose products with healthy, high quality ingredients. Finally, be sure to monitor your portion sizes.
Making your own trail mix at home can also allow you to control its contents and maximize its potential health benefits.
What to include in trail mix?
When you’re shopping for trail mix ingredients, remember to include protein, fiber and healthy fats for a snack that will provide sustained energy. One of the best things about trail mix is the variety …
Yes…and maybe no. Trail mix is typically built around a variety of nuts. The American Heart Association recommends eating about four servings of unsalted nuts per week. Nuts contain unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, which are all checks in the healthy column.
If you’re looking to eat heart-healthy fats, that’s great news! If you’re watching your calorie consumption, you’ll want to be especially mindful of your portion size, as nuts are known to be nutrient- dense. Another contributor to the “mixed bag” of trail mix nutrition is dried fruit, like the raisins or banana chips frequently found in trail mix.
The key is to balance your nutritional needs with a satisfying flavor combination. Healthy trail mix ingredients are often in the eye of the trail mix beholder, meaning that whether or not the ingredients of your trail mix selection are healthy may depend on what you’re looking to achieve with your healthy snack.