That's Fit

One of my favourite ways to spend a glorious summer's day is by taking a hike. And it just so happens I live in one of the best places for a hike--straddling the Rocky Mountains and the rolling prairies, a picturesque vista is never further than a few kilometers of trail away.

But when hiking, it's important to come prepared with all the essentials. You know, sunscreen, layers of clothing, plenty of water and perhaps most importantly, some snacks to keep your energy up. During the hikes of my youth, the snack of choice was always a big bag of trail mix to be shared between hikers.

Trail mix is certainly a source of energy. But is it the healthiest source of energy? What do you think?

5 Surprising Foods That Make You Fat

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The answer is 693 calories, with 44 g of fat. Yee gads! That's quite a lot if you ask me. Granted, you'll get the energy you're looking for; There's a whopping 20g of protein in there.

What accounts for the high caloric value of this so-called 'healthy' snack? You guessed it--the nuts. Nuts are full of fat. It's mostly healthy fat, mind you, but it's still fat and fat always adds up to calories.

Still, if you're going on a rigorous hike, consuming nearly 700 calories in healthy fats probably won't hurt you -- just make sure you opt for the variety without chocolate and added sugar. And save the trail mix for active days only--if you're just sitting in he yard, opt for a lower-cal snack.