Healthy, Happy Trail Mix Builder 

The Edward Elmhurst Health “Take A Hike Challenge” suggests that Trail Mix is the ultimate snack because, when made thoughtfully, it incorporates key pillars of healthy nutrition: protein, healthy fats, fiber, and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.

Balance is important, so it’s OK to add a little of the fun stuff, just make sure to avoid turning healthy snack mix into a bag of candy!

Here’s how to do it best:

Choose several of your favorites from each of the following categories. Mix them up and store them in an airtight container. Each family member can make their own mix using nuts, seeds, beans, peanuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, dried chickpeas, and dried edamame,

Some healthy sweets you could include might be dark chocolate chips, coconut flakes, dried bananas, dried pineapple, dried mango, raisins, dried cranberries, apple chips, apricots, or dried berries.

Still, need more?  Some other ingredients might be popcorn Cheerios, Chex cereal, peanut butter, chips, pretzels, pumpkin, seeds sunflower seeds, chia seeds, goldfish crackers, mini marshmallows, and  M&M’s.