Trader Joe’s Just a Handfuls of Happy Trekking
Why It Scored This Way
A mixed nutrition profile and more processed formulation give this product some useful qualities, but also meaningful limitations.
- Protein
- Sodium
- Fiber
- Added Sugar
Verdict
Trader Joe’s Just a Handfuls of Happy Trekking is a pre-mixed trail mix featuring a variety of nuts, chocolate, and dried fruit. Its main strength is a moderate protein content, while its main tradeoff is the amount of added sugar. Overall, it serves as a convenient energy boost for active days.
How to Use This
Best included occasionally, a few times per month, within a balanced diet and in controlled portions. Pair it with a piece of fresh fruit or a plant-based yogurt for a balanced snack plate.
Nutrition Overview
The profile is defined by a combination of healthy fats and protein, though this is offset by a high concentration of sugars. Sodium levels are notably low, which is a positive contrast to many other savory nut mixes.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 220 | Per serving |
| Total Fat | 15g | 19% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Sodium | 15mg | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g | 14% |
| Total Sugars | 12g | — |
| Added Sugars | 10g | 20% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Iron | 2.4mg | 15% |
Ingredient Analysis
The mix is built from a base of almonds, cashews, and pistachios. The formulation is more processed due to the inclusion of semisweet chocolate and sugar-sweetened dried fruits, which introduce refined sweeteners and emulsifiers.
Ingredients
Roasted almonds (almonds, canola oil), semisweet chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin [emulsifier], natural vanilla flavor), roasted salted cashews (cashews, canola oil, salt), dried cranberries (cranberries, sugar, sunflower oil), dry roasted pistachios, dried tart cherries (cherries, sugar, sunflower oil).
