Follow me:

DIY Trail Mix

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Ray and I are hiking champs nowadays – and our appetite is showing it!  Anytime we know we’re going to be out and about hiking for a few hours, I’ve started to love creating my own, individually-packed trail mixes to keep our energy up and keep our eye on the prize – whether that’s making it to the top of a mountain, or through a long work day.


6 16 15_2

There are certain elements that I make sure are included:

Nuts – Unsaturated fats, protein, and fiber, oh my!  These will keep you feeling full longer, while also giving your system a power punch of tasty vitamins and minerals!

Dried Fruit – While you need to watch that you don’t go too crazy with this one, dried fruit adds a little sweetness while bringing antioxidants, fiber, calcium, and a whole source of nutrients to the party.

Seeds – While I don’t include too many of these, they provide an extra boost of nutrients, similar to nuts.  Go crazy!

Whole Grains – Complex carbs build your energy to keep you going longer and help you feel full.  Plus, they add a little crunch, and who doesn’t like that?!

Chocolate – Yes, the rest of these ingredients build energy, but a little bit of sugar gives that extra, immediate burst.  Just be sure to add them sparingly and go for a sweet that won’t melt all over the place if you’ll be on the trails.

6 15 16_3

Since we’re planning to hike our first fourteener this weekend, I packed a few bags of a trail mix in advance.  Since these hikes tend to take several hours, I made them with a bit more substance than if I needed these for a work day snack, so plan accordingly.  Each of these pack a bit over 300 calories and are meant to keep us going for the long haul.

1/8 cup sunflower seeds

1/8 cup almonds

1/8 cup dried cranberries

1/8 cup original M&M

A bit under 1/2 cup Cheerios

Directions: Toss all in a lunch bag and get wild mixing them up!  Enjoy!!

6 16 15_1

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What are your favorite snacks that are built to give you energy?  Can’t wait to read your recommendations in the comments section below!

Create a great life!

Share
Previous Post Next Post

You may also like