Planters Daybreak Blend Berry Almond Trail Mix

By: Tanya Taylor, PhD | Jun 24, 2008

The "Nut" aisle is really coming alive with new products that are putting a creative spin on the old classics. Gone are the days of just peanuts, almonds or cashews. We are now seeing "lightly flavored nuts" like Blue Diamond Vanilla Bean Natural Roasted Almonds (read our review), and packages of nuts combined with other natural ingredients to provide a pack of energy boost, like these Planters Daybreak Blend Berry Almond Trail Mix.

The product description says:

Start your morning with a delicious combination of crunchy granola clusters, tangy cranberries, almonds and other wholesome ingredients.

We say: Good idea and execution. Each box comes with 5 individual packs. I loved the fresh taste of the almonds, raisins and cranberries. The ratio of granola, nuts and dried fruits is also in a harmonious balance i.e. not too much granola. This was the perfect size for a mid-afternoon snack, but I don't think this could be my breakfast. It's not filling enough by itself.

One 42 gram package provides 180 calories, 11% of the recommended daily amount (RDA) for total fat (7 grams), 3% of the RDA for saturated fat (0.5 grams), no cholesterol, 2% of the RDA for sodium (55 mg), 3 grams of protein and 27 grams of total carbohydrates which includes 3 grams of fiber (12% of the RDA), and 19 grams of sugar. There is also 40% of the daily requirement for Iron.

I know that the fat came from the nuts, and there is very little saturated with most of it being the healthier mono- and polyunsaturated fats, but where did all that sugar come from? A look at the ingredients list shows:

Almonds, golden raisins, sugar, dried cranberries, whole grain rolled oats, brown sugar, whole grain wheat, vegetable oil, rice flour, dried bananas, rice, corn syrup, maltodextrin, salt, whey, high oleic sunflower oil, natural flavors, soy lecithin, reduced iron, caramel color.

I thought this was a more natural product and a look at all the added stuff turned me off a little. One pack (with 5) cost $2.99, but since it's not so diet friendly, I don't think I'll be buying this too often.

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