We put healthy snacks to the test – from apple crisps to protein flapjacks
DURING the Covid lockdowns, many people started having “healthy snacks” – and it is a habit that many have continued with ever since.
But an extra 240kcal a day over the course of a year could lead to a weight gain of around a stone.
So if you’re going to snack, you have to make sure you know exactly what you’re munching on.
Jane Atkinson puts three health snacks to the test.
CRISPS
A FAMILY start-up Spare Snacks has come up with low-calorie treat that counts as one of your five a day.
Scrapples are apple crisps for kids, while Spare is the adult equivalent. They are made from wonky fruit which have superficial blemishes and contain no added sugar, salt, fat or oil.
They come in various flavours but I love the apple and mango, which are just 43kcal and 60p per 12g bag.
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They are air-dried, not fried, so there is no greasy after taste with them.
They are actually crispy, too, unlike some other fruit crisps.
If you want a healthy snack this is the closest you will come to actually having a piece of fruit. See .
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FLAPJACKS
GRENADE, a well-known name in the protein snack world, has brought out a range of protein flapjacks designed as a healthy breakfast snack.
I never think a sickly sweet bar for breakfast is a great idea but if you are a sweet-toothed gym junkie grabbing something on the run, then maybe this is the perfect breakfast for you.
I tried the Caramel Overload – a VERY sweet bar of oats, cashew, peanut butter and milk chocolate topped with chocolate drops. It’s soft and chewy without an overpowering protein taste despite being mainly a mix of protein (soy, wheat, whey, and milk).
It also contains 19 per cent oats with milk chocolate and sweetener.
Each 45g bar has 149cal, 11g of protein and, surprisingly, just 1.4g of sugar. (£1.50 per bar, )
VITAMINS
KNOWN for their vitamin range, Vitl has this week launched a range of protein bars with vitamins and minerals targeted at specific needs.
There is Energy, a salted caramel flavour; raspberry-flavoured Glow with collagen for skin and nails; plus chocolate brown Focus to aid mental performance.
I tried Energy, which is a chewy, bittersweet bar with vitamins B3 and B5, calcium, iodine and magnesium to support energy release from food and reduce tiredness.
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The chocolate outer layer was a bit crumbly but as mid-afternoon snacks go, this is pretty perfect.
Each 40g bar has 14g of protein, 1g of sugar and 143cal. (£1.70 per bar, )