Homemade trail mix without seed oils or refined sugars

Last Updated on June 20, 2024 by Michelle

I’ve always loved trail mix. Back in the day, my homemade trail mix involved copious amounts of dyed and processed M&M’s full of refined sugar, nuts roasted in seed oils, and raisins.

The raisins are the only thing that haven’t changed. Read on for more about what HAS changed…

Homemade trail mix without seed oils or refined sugars

These days, my trail mix looks a lot better. Today my homemade trail mix is made with zero refined sugar and no seed oils at all. Instead, my trail mixes include:

• raw nuts,
• raisins, and
• a chocolate source that doesn’t have refined sugars or artificial colors

Still delicious, yet it’s something that’s actually nourishing for my body.

Join me as I mix some up here, as one of the TEN amazing recipes in the Pantry Staples Summer Challenge & Giftaway!

 

What is in trail mix?

There are tons of different kinds of trail mix. My personal go-to trail mix includes a nut, a chocolate, and a dried fruit. My recipe for homemade trail mix without seed oils or refined sugars is below. The options for what you can add in are basically endless, though! Here are some ideas for healthy trail mix add-ins if you’re looking to get creative:

• Organic cereals, puffed rice or even granola
• Nuts or seeds for salt and crunch
• Salty pretzels add a nice crunch factor as well
• Shredded or chipped coconut
• Chocolate covered coffee beans
• Roasted chickpeas
• Rolled oats

 

Is trail mix healthy or is trail mix a junk food?

Is trail mix a junk food? Well, it depends.

Many “traditional” trail mixes contain lots of processed ingredients that can be high in sugar, fat, and preservatives, without any real nutrients.

Homemade trail mixes, on the other hand, can be full of healthy fat, high in protein, packed with fiber, and offer a great, nutrient-dense energy source on-the-go.

Just be aware of premixed trail mixes, and read the ingredients thoroughly.

If you’re buying premade trail mix, opt for ones that are just fruit and nuts to avoid the added sugars and artificial colors in the chocolate.

Can you eat too much trail mix?

You can definitely eat too much trail mix. Given that nuts and seeds are high in calories, it’s important to not overindulge in trail mix.

It’s a great option for a handful of a snack, or pre-portioned as an on-the-go option.

If I’m eating trail mix at home, I often pour myself a small bowl to prevent overeating without realizing it, and to make sure I eat all the components of the trail mix instead of picking things out. (Not saying I’m that person, but when there’s delicious mint carob involved, yeah, I am that person…)

How long does trail mix last?

While you can store trail mix almost indefinitely, you’ll notice that after about a month or two the trail mix won’t taste quite as good as it did before. This is usually because the nuts or seeds have gone a bit rancid or stale, and sometimes the dried fruit will dry out and not be as soft or sweet as it once was.

If you’re incorporating chocolate, also make sure your trail mix doesn’t get too hot or you’ll have trail mix goo on your hands!

How can I make trail mix healthy?

My homemade trail mix without seed oils or refined sugars contains just three ingredients: raisins, pumpkin seeds, and carob chips.

The really cool thing about these three ingredients? They all work together to nourish your body.

1. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein, which helps repair and build muscle.
2. Raisins are full of calcium, along with being great for digestion, keeping your bones strong, and raisins are also high in iron.
3. Carob chips are actually a legume, which is anti-inflammatory, and helps with gut health. Unlike chocolate which actually inhibits the amount of calcium your body is able to absorb, carob aids your body in digesting calcium (which raisins are full of).

So healthy trail mix will offer calcium that your body is able to actually absorb, along with healthy fats and proteins to keep you full, as well as help you build and repair muscle. Not to mention it just plain tastes good and is so satisfying to munch on.

 

Homemade trail mix without seed oils or refined sugars

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More like homemade trail mix:

• Easy double chocolate energy bar recipe
• Mango maple granola recipe
• Copycat Crumbl strawberry pretzel pie cookie recipe
• Kamut chocolate chip cookies
• Some items on my favorite ingredients list may surprise you!

Talk to me about trail mix…

If you have questions, leave a comment below. And please tag me on ig to show me your trail mix @souly.rested.

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“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.” Isaiah 1:19