Sifting Through Trail Mix

I know the latest rage is creating your own personal granola, trail mix or energy bars for those long excursions across the woods and road trips to visit friends and family.  Sometimes it's best to just pick up a big bag of trail mix to have on hand or maybe there isn't the desire to make a big production when you're buried in planning and preparation for that long weekend getaway.

At one of my local grocery stores, Winco Foods, there is a significant bulk foods section, which has a number of various trail mix types, including traditional to more exotic mixtures and varying prices.  Today, I grabbed a selection of four and thought I'd share a little bit about them.

4 Trail Mixes

Super Deluxe Trail Mix 

Ingredients 
Raisins
Pinepple
Peanuts
Papaya
Dates
Apricots

Caribbean Trail Mix

Ingredients 
Honey Roasted Peanuts
Honey Glaze
Pineapple
Peanuts
Papaya
Dates
Apricots
Coconut
Almonds
Pumpkin Seeds

 
Mt. Hood Trail Mix

Ingredients 
Toffee Peanuts
Yogurt Raisins
Yogurt Peanuts
Chocolate Peanuts
Coconut
Almonds
Pumpkin Seeds



 

Mt. Rainier Organic Trail Mix

Ingredients 
Cranberries
Raw Sunflower Seeds
Raw Almonds
Raw Cashews
Raw Pumpkin Seeds
Raisins






Now, taking a look at these trail mixes, you'll see that some are a probably considered healthier than others.  I prefer the Mt. Hood mix when I'm looking for something sweet, but I wouldn't recommend that as a health recommendation just because it's labeled as a trail mix.  Some of the benefits of a trail mix are obtaining a quick snack to provide energy in the form of proteins, fats and sugars when energy stores are low.  Getting a solid snack with almonds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, and sugars from friuts and a boost from chocolate can give you the energy needed to continue that last mile or recover some before moving on to your next game plan.

Winco Foods does offer quite an array of trail mixes and as you can see from the picture to the left, there are many more to try.  Additionally, there are other quality products and that are a great value including Costco's Kirkland brand trail mix which comes in a 4lb. bag, or as snack packs ready to tear and share.

Have a look at your favorite store and see what is offered in bulk; it is often quite a better deal than finding the packaged products on the cereal or health food aisles.  Enjoy!