Trail Mix for Fasting Days

Other Xerophagy Published March 19, 2026

This is the most portable and calorie-dense xerophagy food you can prepare. A bag of this in your pocket gets you through a full day of work or travel during the strictest fasting periods. Nuts and seeds are the primary protein source during xerophagy, and dried fruits provide quick energy. The honey drizzle is optional but legitimate — honey is universally permitted during xerophagy as an uncooked natural food.

Make a large batch at the beginning of Great Lent and portion it out. You will reach for it constantly.

FASTING LEVEL: Xerophagy (the strictest level — no cooked food, no oil, no wine)
SERVINGS: 6 (about 1/2 cup per serving)
TIME: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

- 1 cup raw almonds (whole or roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts, broken into pieces
- 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (check label — some contain oil; choose oil-free)
- 2 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional, for drizzling individual portions)

METHOD

1. Combine all nuts, seeds, and dried fruits in a large bowl. Toss with your hands until evenly mixed.

2. Divide into portions of roughly 1/2 cup each. Store in small bags or jars.

3. When eating, drizzle a single portion with about 1 teaspoon of honey if desired. The honey adds quick energy and makes the mix feel less austere.

NOTES

- All nuts and seeds should be raw, not roasted and not salted. Roasted nuts were cooked; roasting in oil is doubly prohibited. Some traditions permit dry-roasted nuts — consult your priest if uncertain.
- This keeps for 2-3 weeks at room temperature, longer in the refrigerator.
- Calorie density is your friend during xerophagy. This mix provides roughly 300 calories per half-cup — more than most raw meals.
- During Holy Week, when energy is low and services are long, a handful of this between services is genuinely sustaining.