Trail Mix

by General Mills

This trail mix is heavily processed with concerning ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, and multiple seed oils. While it contains some nutritious nuts, the candy coating and industrial processing significantly compromise its health value.

• ROASTED PEANUTS – beneficial · Whole peanuts provide protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients with minimal processing.
• PEANUTS – beneficial · Nutrient-dense legume providing protein, fiber, and healthy monounsaturated fats.
• PEANUT OIL – safe · Stable cooking oil with balanced omega profile, acceptable for roasting nuts.
• SALT – safe · Natural mineral used for flavor enhancement in appropriate quantities.
• ROASTED ALMONDS – beneficial · Tree nuts high in vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy monounsaturated fats.
• ALMONDS – beneficial · Nutrient-dense tree nuts with heart-healthy fats and protein.
• CANOLA – controversial · Highly processed seed oil with inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and potential processing chemical residues.
• SAFFLOWER OIL – controversial · High omega-6 seed oil that can promote inflammation when consumed regularly.
• SUNFLOWER OIL – controversial · Another omega-6 rich seed oil contributing to inflammatory fatty acid imbalance.
• CANDY COATED CHOCOLATE FLAVORED PIECES – dangerous · Ultra-processed candy component with artificial colors, trans fats, and high sugar content.
• CONFECTIONERY COATING – dangerous · Industrial coating containing partially hydrogenated oils and artificial ingredients.
• SUGAR – controversial · Refined sugar contributing to blood sugar spikes and metabolic dysfunction when consumed in high amounts.
• PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL – dangerous · Contains trans fats linked to cardiovascular disease and banned in many countries.
• COCOA POWDER – beneficial · Natural cocoa provides antioxidants and beneficial compounds for heart health.
• WHEY POWDER – safe · Dairy protein with complete amino acid profile, generally well-tolerated.
• NONFAT DRY MILK – safe · Dehydrated milk solids providing protein and calcium.
• SOY LECITHIN – safe · Natural emulsifier derived from soybeans, generally recognized as safe.
• ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR – controversial · Synthetic flavor compounds with unknown long-term health effects.
• ARTIFICIAL COLORING – controversial · Synthetic dyes linked to hyperactivity in children and potential health concerns.
• RED 40 LAKE – controversial · Petroleum-derived dye linked to hyperactivity and behavioral issues in sensitive individuals.
• YELLOW 6 LAKE – controversial · Artificial dye with potential links to hyperactivity and allergic reactions.
• YELLOW 6 – controversial · Coal tar-derived dye with concerns about behavioral effects in children.
• YELLOW 5 LAKE – controversial · Artificial dye that may trigger asthma and behavioral problems in sensitive individuals.
• BLUE 2 LAKE – controversial · Synthetic dye with limited safety data and potential health concerns.
• BLUE 1 LAKE – controversial · Artificial dye linked to hyperactivity and potential carcinogenic concerns.
• GUM ARABIC – safe · Natural tree gum used as stabilizer and thickener, generally well-tolerated.
• CORN SYRUP – controversial · Highly processed liquid sweetener that rapidly raises blood sugar levels.
• CONFECTIONER'S GLAZE – safe · Natural coating derived from shellac beetle secretions, used for shine.
• CARNAUBA WAX – safe · Natural plant wax used for coating and shine, generally recognized as safe.
• BEESWAX – safe · Natural wax from honeybees used as coating agent.
• SHELLAC – safe · Natural resin used for food coating and shine.
• SWEETENED DRIED CRANBERRIES – controversial · Fruit with added sugar, contributing to overall sugar content while providing some antioxidants.
• DRIED CRANBERRIES – beneficial · Tart berries rich in antioxidants and beneficial compounds for urinary health.
• GLYCERIN – safe · Natural humectant used to maintain moisture in dried fruits.
• CITRIC ACID – safe · Natural acid used as preservative and flavor enhancer.
• SUNFLOWER SEED OIL – controversial · High omega-6 seed oil contributing to inflammatory fatty acid profile.
• DEGERMED YELLOW CORN MEAL – safe · Processed corn with germ removed, reducing nutritional value but stable ingredient.
• WHOLE GRAIN RICE – safe · Intact rice grain providing fiber and nutrients.
• RICE – safe · Refined rice grain used as base ingredient.
• FRUCTOSE – controversial · Concentrated fruit sugar that bypasses satiety signals and may contribute to fatty liver.
• RICE BRAN OIL – controversial · Highly processed oil with high omega-6 content contributing to inflammation.
• COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI – safe · Alkalized cocoa powder with reduced acidity and antioxidants compared to natural cocoa.
• CALCIUM CARBONATE – safe · Mineral supplement providing calcium for bone health.
• MOLASSES – safe · Byproduct of sugar refining with some minerals, though still primarily sugar.
• BAKING SODA – safe · Sodium bicarbonate used as leavening agent.
• DISTILLED MONOGLYCERIDES – safe · Emulsifier derived from fats, generally recognized as safe.
• NATURAL FLAVOR – safe · Flavor compounds derived from natural sources, though processing methods vary.
• YELLOW CORN FLOUR – safe · Ground corn used as ingredient base.
• IRON – beneficial · Essential mineral supplement for blood health and energy metabolism.
• ZINC – beneficial · Important trace mineral for immune function and wound healing.
• VITAMIN C – beneficial · Essential antioxidant vitamin supporting immune system and collagen synthesis.
• SODIUM ASCORBATE – safe · Sodium salt form of vitamin C used as supplement and antioxidant.
• NIACINAMIDE – beneficial · Vitamin B3 essential for energy metabolism and cellular function.
• VITAMIN B6 – beneficial · B vitamin important for protein metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis.
• PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE – safe · Synthetic form of vitamin B6 used in fortification.
• VITAMIN B1 – beneficial · Thiamine essential for carbohydrate metabolism and nervous system function.
• THIAMIN MONONITRATE – safe · Synthetic form of vitamin B1 used for fortification.
• VITAMIN A – beneficial · Fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision and immune function.
• PALMITATE – safe · Vitamin A palmitate, a stable form used in fortification.
• VITAMIN B2 – beneficial · Riboflavin important for energy production and antioxidant function.
• RIBOFLAVIN – beneficial · Natural form of vitamin B2 essential for cellular energy production.
• FOLIC ACID – beneficial · Synthetic form of folate important for DNA synthesis and cell division.
• VITAMIN B12 – beneficial · Essential vitamin for nerve function and red blood cell formation.
• VITAMIN D3 – beneficial · Active form of vitamin D important for bone health and immune function.
• VITAMIN E – beneficial · Fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin protecting cells from oxidative damage.
• MIXED TOCOPHEROLS – beneficial · Natural vitamin E compounds used as antioxidant preservatives.
• BHT – controversial · Synthetic antioxidant preservative with potential endocrine disrupting effects and carcinogenic concerns.

Contains beneficial nuts with protein and healthy fats

Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals

Provides antioxidants from cranberries and cocoa

Contains dangerous trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils

Multiple artificial food dyes linked to behavioral issues

High in inflammatory omega-6 seed oils

Significant added sugar content

Ultra-processed with numerous artificial additives