Key findings
- 1Basic trail mix (nuts, dried fruit, seeds) is among the simplest packaged snack foods; many packaged mixes add candy, coatings and flavorings
- 2In our analysis, trail mix products average a Processing Score of 9.2, which is Level 4
- 3"Yogurt chips" in trail mix are not yogurt, and they are palm kernel oil, sugar, and whey powder confections
- 4Sulfur dioxide preserves the bright color of dried apricots and raisins but is an industrial additive, unsulfured versions are darker but less processed
Why is Trail Mix ultra-processed on average?
Traditional trail mix is one of the simplest assembled foods: raw or roasted nuts, sun-dried or mechanically dehydrated fruit, and seeds, mixed together. The processing on each component is minimal, roasting is dry heat application, and drying is moisture removal. The ingredient that shifts trail mix processing is sulfur dioxide (SO2), used to preserve the color of dried apricots and other light-colored fruit. Unsulfured dried fruit turns brown through enzymatic browning (the same reaction as a cut apple darkening) but is otherwise identical. Yogurt chips in trail mix are not actual yogurt; they are typically palm kernel oil, sugar, and whey powder with yogurt flavoring, which makes them confections. In our analysis, trail mix products average a Processing Score of 9.2, which is Level 4; a basic mix of nuts, seeds and plain dried fruit is far simpler than that average.
How 2,950 trail mix products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Trail Mix brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a trail mix label
- 1
Simple trail mix should list recognizable ingredients: almonds, cashews, raisins, sunflower seeds
- 2
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) in dried fruit is a preservative to maintain color; unsulfured dried fruit is less processed
- 3
"Yogurt-coated" pieces are typically palm kernel oil and sugar, not real yogurt
- 4
Added oils, sugar, and salt on the nuts increase processing; look for "dry roasted" or "raw" varieties
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Frequently asked questions
Is trail mix a healthy snack?
The processing level depends entirely on which ingredients are included. A mix of raw almonds, walnuts, and raisins is one of the least processed snacks available. A mix with chocolate candies, yogurt chips, and flavored pieces is significantly more processed.
Is dried fruit in trail mix ultra-processed?
Plain dried fruit is simply dehydrated whole fruit. Some dried fruit contains added sugar (cranberries, for instance, are almost always sweetened) or sulfur dioxide for color preservation. Check the ingredient list for each dried fruit component.
What trail mix ingredients should I avoid?
From a processing standpoint, avoid trail mixes containing yogurt-coated pieces (palm kernel oil confections), chocolate candy pieces with artificial colors, and nuts roasted in hydrogenated oils. A mix listing only whole nuts, seeds, and unsweetened dried fruit is the least processed option.