10 New Healthy Snacks, Rated By The Experts
Caramel & Sea Salt Bar, £1.68 (was £2.10) | FattBar
“If you’re looking for a low-carb alternative, this snack is a great option. It’s low in sugar and, full of nuts, it’s a good source of healthy fats. It also contains an impressive 10g of fibre, which is a third of your daily recommended intake. This fibre comes in the form of chicory extract, which is a prebiotic fibre – ideal food for your beneficial gut bacteria. These bars are also made without any nasties, and while the protein content is low, the high fibre and fat content will keep you full for hours.” – Marilia Chamon, nutritional therapist & founder of Gutfulness Nutrition
RATING: 9/10
Available at PlanetOrganic.com
Seaweed Crisps Sea Salted, £1.10 | Abakus Foods
“If you’re a savoury snacker, these are worth a try. Seaweed is one of the best sources of iodine, which plays an important role in thyroid health. The ingredients list is simple, although I’m not a fan of the use of corn oil, which is highly processed. And while they are low in sugar, they would be better paired with a source of protein to keep blood sugar balanced.” – Marilia
RATING: 7/10
Available at Ocado.com
Keo Mango Chips, £1.80 | Soul Fruit
“Dried fruit always seems like a guilt-free snack, but approach with caution, as it can be laden with sugar. These dried fruit chips are a clever alternative, and they’re free from sulphites and preservatives, which can cause bloating and flatulence. Mango is a great source of vitamins and antioxidants, but be careful not to eat multiple packets to manage your blood sugar. Fruit chips have had their water removed, which intensifies the sugar content.” – Sarah Henderson, nutritional therapist
RATING: 6/10
Available at PlanetOrganic.com
Raspberry & Cashew Nut Butter Bites, £1.85 | Deliciously Ella
“These wholefood bites are naturally high in fibre and healthy fats but low in protein. They are a good pick-me-up if you need a quick boost of energy before exercising, but note they are high in natural sugars. According to the British Dietetic Association, a product is high in sugar if it has more than 22.5g per 100g – this one has 39.3g, suggesting it should be eaten with caution and less often.” – Marilia
RATING: 6/10
Available at Ocado.com
Peanut Butter Buttons, £1.59 | Superfoodio
“Nut butter-laden snacks are everywhere, and these new buttons look healthy, but don’t be fooled. They are essentially peanut butter with added sugar – you’d be better off eating the real thing or a handful of nuts and seeds. It may contain as little as 3g of sugar per serving, but the same amount of peanut butter only contains 1.3g of sugar. Avoid where possible.” – Marilia
RATING: 5/10
Available at Superfoodio.com
Keto Collagen Brownie Bite Chocolate Orange, £2 | Locako
“This is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a low-carb snack. It boasts a decent macronutrient profile, with good amounts of protein, healthy fats and fibre, all of which will keep you fuller for longer and your blood sugars stable. The ingredients are simple, it doesn’t contain any additives, preservatives or emulsifiers, and has added live cultures as a bonus.” – Marilia
RATING: 10/10
Available at HollandAndBarrett.com
Lean Machine Fresh Protein Shake Organic Madagascan Vanilla, £5.50 | EXALT
“In an ideal world, you should aim to eat whole food in its original form, but if you’re short on time a smoothie can be a quick and easy alternative. These ready-made protein shakes aren’t overly sweet, and the nutrients are locked in through cold-pressing. Each serving contains 40g of protein, which will fill you up and keep blood sugar steady until your next meal.” – Sarah
RATING: 7/10
Available at Ocado.com
Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar Roasted Fava Bean, £3.50 | The Honest Bean Co.
Honest Bean Co. Roasted Fava Beans, £x
“Fava beans, or broad beans, may be small but pack an incredible amount of nutrients. They are a good source of folate, manganese, copper, phosphorus and magnesium, and an excellent source of soluble fibre and plant-based protein. I would rate this snack ten out of ten if it was not made with rapeseed oil – a highly processed, pro-inflammatory, cheap alternative to better quality oils such as olive oil.” – Marilia
RATING: 8/10
Available at HonestBean.co.uk
Popcorn Bar, £1.35 | Proper
“Plain popcorn is a great healthy snack, but these sugary bars less so. The ingredients list features dozens of ingredients, including emulsifiers, glucose syrup and colourings, which we should be mindful of. The nuts, however, do provide a good source of protein and healthy fats, and this bar will satisfy a chocolate craving.” – Sarah
RATING: 5/10
Available at Waitrose.com
Snacks Dark Chocolate Pretzel Bites Sharing Bag, £2.75 | Indie Bay
“This product has some unnecessary ingredients such as emulsifiers and seed oils, and although it claims to be made with dark chocolate, it contains only 58% cocoa solids. If you fancy chocolate, it would be best to opt for a minimum of 85% cocoa solids, which is naturally lower in sugar and rich in polyphenols. Plus, a recent study showed 85% dark chocolate can positively alter the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria which may in turn improve mood via the gut-brain axis.” – Marilia
RATING: 4/10
Available at Ocado.com
For more information visit SarahHendersonNutrition.com & GutfulnessNutrition.com.
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