Trail mix vs Granola

The short answer

Two dense, dry snacks, both calorie-rich. Trail mix (nuts, seeds, dried fruit) carries more fat and protein; granola is more carb- and sugar-heavy from the oats and syrup. Trail mix for the nuts’ fats and protein, granola for a sweeter, crunchier mix — a small handful of either goes a long way.

Trail mix and Granola, per 100 g and per portion. A gap means USDA has no value for it — not zero.

Trail mix · per 100 gGranola · per 100 g
Calories462489
Protein13.8 g13.7 g
Fat29.4 g24.3 g
Carbs44.9 g53.9 g
Fiberno data8.9 g
Sugarsno data19.8 g
Sodium229 mg26 mg
Vitamins & minerals — where both carry data
Calcium78 mg76 mg
Folate71 µg84 µg
Iron3.1 mg4 mg
Magnesium158 mg168 mg
Niacin4.7 mg2.7 mg
Phosphorus345 mg431 mg
Potassium685 mg539 mg
Riboflavin0.2 mg0.4 mg
Thiamin0.5 mg0.5 mg
Vitamin A1 µg1 µg
Vitamin B120 µg0 µg
Vitamin B60.3 mg0.4 mg
Vitamin C1.4 mg1.2 mg
Vitamin Dno data0 µg
Vitamin Eno data11.1 mg
Vitamin Kno data5.3 µg
Zinc3.2 mg4.2 mg
At equal calories (per 100 kcal)
ProteinTrail mix: 3 g, Granola: 2.8 g · FiberTrail mix: no data, Granola: 1.8 g · SodiumTrail mix: 49.6 mg, Granola: 5.3 mg

Generic USDA foods (not brands), so both carry micronutrients. Numbers are per 100 g unless the portion toggle is on. USDA FoodData Central, as of 2026-08-12.

Common questions
Is Trail mix or Granola better?

Neither is “better” on its own — it depends what you want from it. The table shows where each is higher; the short answer says when each one fits. Compare on the same basis (per 100 g) and pick for your dish and your goal.

How were these numbers worked out?

Straight from USDA FoodData Central for the generic form of each food, per 100 g. We show the portion view too, but portion sizes differ between foods, so per 100 g is the fair comparison.

Why does one column say “no data”?

Because USDA has no value for that nutrient in that food — so we leave it blank rather than print a 0 that would read as “none”. A real zero from USDA still shows as 0.

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