Trail mix is a favorite snack for many individuals. A typical mix combines granola, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, cereals, and pretzels. The mix was originally developed as a portable snack/meal for hikers that was lightweight, could be stored in a backpack, and provided plenty of protein and energy. Prepackaged trail mix is available at many grocery stores and online retailers. It’s an excellent choice for traveling or going on a road trip because of its energy and nutritional content. However, not all types are considered equal in terms of nutrition. Some can consist of ingredients loaded with sugar and salt. Added consumption could cause weight gain and contribute to conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver problems. Here we look at choosing healthy mixes.

Trail Mix Health: EP's Chiropractic Functional Team

Trail Mix

The nutritional power comes from the high amounts of fiber and antioxidants.

Benefits

Protein and Healthy Fats

Protein is essential for tissue repair, immune health, and muscle development.

  • Nuts and seeds make up the largest portion.
  • A healthy source of protein, allowing individuals to snack on the go and not become hungry.
  • One of the greatest benefits of eating these is that they are full of heart-healthy fats.
  • These healthy fats help decrease unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation.

Fiber

  • The fiber in the seeds and granola helps keep the gut healthy and regular.
  • It also helps control appetite, aids in digestion, and keeps the body fuller longer.

Energy

  • Dried fruits and granola consist of healthy sugars.
  • Healthy sugars help stabilize blood sugar levels, providing the body with a consistent energy source.

Antioxidants, Vitamins, and Minerals

  • Dried fruit maintains a majority of its nutritional value.
  • The nuts and seeds are also packed with nutrients and antioxidants.

Choosing Healthy

Check the nutrition label and avoid varieties high in added sugar or sodium.

  • Look for products containing nutrient-dense ingredients like nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and limited amounts of candy or chocolate chips, if any.
  • Healthy ingredients include almonds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, popcorn, and dark chocolate.
  • Making trail mix at home allows control of its contents and maximizes its potential health benefits.
  • It is important to keep an eye on portion control.
  • A recommended serving is about a fourth of a cup.

Nutritionist

Nutritional consultation can improve an individual’s quality of life, health, and well-being. A nutritionist can help individuals with precision or personalized nutrition that focuses on the individual. Nutritionists can create meal plans for their clients and provide education and knowledge on appropriate food choices.


Potassium


References

Devitt, A A et al. “Appetitive and Dietary Effects of Consuming an Energy-Dense Food (Peanuts) with or between Meals by Snackers and Nonsnackers.” Journal of nutrition and metabolism vol. 2011 (2011): 928352. doi:10.1155/2011/928352

Grillo, Andrea et al. “Sodium Intake and Hypertension.” Nutrients vol. 11,9 1970. 21 Aug. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11091970

Mehlhose, Clara, et al. “PACE Labels on Healthy and Unhealthy Snack Products in a Laboratory Shopping Setting: Perception, Visual Attention, and Product Choice.” Foods (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 10,4 904. 20 Apr. 2021, doi:10.3390/foods10040904

Vreman, Rick A et al. “Health and economic benefits of reducing sugar intake in the USA, including effects via non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a microsimulation model.” BMJ open vol. 7,8 e013543. 3 Aug. 2017, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013543

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Trail Mix Health: EP Chiropractic Functional Wellness" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
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Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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Dr. Alex Jimenez
Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.