Snacked on directly as a trail food
Trail mix, often called 'Gorp', is a custom blend of dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and sometimes chocolate or granola, designed as a portable, high-energy snack for hiking and outdoor activities. It originated in the United States and has become a global staple for hikers, climbers, and anyone needing a quick, non-perishable energy boost on the go.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This snack is typically high in healthy fats and carbohydrates, providing a dense source of calories and quick energy. Key nutrients include fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, and iron, with a rough calorie ballpark of 400-500 kcal per cup (about 140-150 grams).
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbs | 48 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 50 mg |
| Magnesium | 100 mg |
| Vitamin E | 7 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Manganese | 1.5 mg |
| Copper | 0.5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 250 mg |
| Zinc | 2.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (140 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, trail mix is the quintessential 'do-it-yourself' snack, with infinite variations reflecting personal taste and regional ingredients. Nutritionally, its combination of simple carbs from dried fruit for immediate energy and complex fats/proteins from nuts for sustained fuel makes it uniquely efficient for endurance activities.
