Forest Feast - naturally sweet and ready to eat dried fruit snacks

I am a big advocate of trying to eat as healthily as possible for the majority of the time, but I also love food and want to enjoy lots of wonderful tastes and textures and not deprive myself of delicious things!

When it comes to sugar, there is a lot of research that highlights direct links between excessive consumption and health concerns. The government released a medical report that recommends that no more than 5% of our calorie intake should come from 'free sugars'. However, many low sugar or sugar-free products are made using artificial chemical sweeteners that I try to avoid. Where possible, I try to choose natural products that provide nutritional benefits to mine and my family's diets.

I was delighted to receive a delivery from Forest Feast, a company that produces a range of ten traditional and exotic dried fruits. Each product is carefully selected to contain no added sugars, syrups or juices. The range allows for smart and hearty snacking containing nothing but dried natural fruits and contain naturally occurring fibre, vitamins and minerals.

The range includes apricots, bananas, cherries, dates, figs, goji berries, golden berries, mango, pineapple and plums, each in a foil backed bag for freshness. The fruits are perfectly sized for snacking, but can be used as an ingredient in many recipes from curries to cakes.

I am very impressed to see the ingredient list on each of the varieties of the Forest Feast range containing nothing more than the fruit itself. No preservatives, no added sugar or sweeteners, no added oils - just natural fruit that has been dried. They provide a delicious sweet treat, sweetened only as nature intended. No need for sugarcoating!

The Forest Feast snack sized dried fruit is a great addition to lunchboxes. Just pop some into a little pot and it provides a tasty, sweet treat that is all natural. They are also great for sprinkling over yogurt or cereals, adding to porridge or combining with nuts for a quick power snack!

Healthy Snacks from The Co-Operative

The Co-Operative recently sent us some of their new 'Loved By Us' healthy snacking range to enjoy. I was really impressed by the fact there was such a great choice of really interesting products to try:

Spiced Ginger Popcorn

Triple Berry Rice Cakes

Chorizo Rice Cakes

Jaffa Fruit and Nut Mix

Strawberry Brulee Fruit and Nut Mix

Cinnamon Pecan Pie Fruit and Nut Mix

Trail Mix

Oriental Crackers

Hazelnut Latte Fruit and Nut Mix

It is so nice to find snacks that contain lots of good stuff such as pecans, almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, dried cranberries, hazelnuts, coconut, dried papaya and raisins. The addition of yummy treats such as chocolate covered coffee beans and white chocolate buttons add a little indulgence to the mixes. The rice cakes and popcorn are good lower calorie treats, deliciously flavoured, low in fat and high in fibre. If I want a snack, I'd much rather enjoy something good for me than fill up on empty calories. Some of the individual products are better for you nutritionally than others, so you can choose between something naturally healthy like the dried fruit and nut mixes or the more indulgent Triple Berry Rice Cakes.

These are grown up snacks, ideal for sharing, very satisfying and so much more nutritious than a chocolate bar or a regular bag of crisps. The variety is excellent and the flavours and mixes are really well conceived. They are all vegetarian, even the Chorizo Rice Cakes, which are flavoured with smoky paprika.

My favourite was the Cinnamon Pecan Pie mix filled with tangy, cinnamon dusted cranberries, crunchy almonds and pecans. Half a pack contains 116 calories and was a very filling, wholesome snack and a really tasty treat.

The packs have clear labels with the nutritional information displayed, so you can make an informed choice.  Find the range in your local Co-Operative Food shop.

Research reveals parents' confusion over sugar in kids' diets

New research conducted by Fruit Heroes, the newly launched lunchbox snack brand in the UK, shows that the recent focus on the health implications of too much sugar has left some parents so confused that they don’t know what they should be feeding their children to give them the healthiest diet. Almost half of the parents surveyed say the UK's dietary guidelines for children are unclear and confusing.

Three quarters of parents say they now find it difficult working out what is and isn’t healthy for their children and a huge 84% of parents are concerned about their child’s diet

Sugar is now seen as the dietary public enemy number one when it comes to the fight against obesity and disease, but the ever changing advice and guidelines have left parents so confused that many now don’t even know if they should be giving their children fruit to eat at all.

The study saw one in seven parents say they didn’t think fruit was healthy or were unsure if it was or not, and almost 40% were unsure of which are good sugars and which are bad sugars. On the whole, three quarters of parents generally don’t know what they should be giving their kids as part of a healthy diet.

A quarter of parents surveyed by Fruit Heroes say they are confused by front of pack nutritional labels like the traffic lights and general daily allowance percentages, while a third did not know that five a day means five pieces of fruit or vegetables.Worryingly, some parents thought that a packet of crisps counted towards one of their child’s 5-a-day.

My family are all vegetarians, meaning that most of our nutrients come from plant based foods. Therefore fruit plays a big part in my children's diet. Freddy loves grapes, apples, oranges, melon - you name it - he loves it! I am happy for him to eat fruit and snacks made using fruit, but try to avoid too much refined sugar in his diet on a day to day basis.  Fruits contain so many nutrients, so in their whole form are a great way of getting vitamins and fibre into children. My rule of thumb is that if food is naturally plant based, then it's got to be good.

Fruit Heroes are made using all natural ingredients such as dates, fruits and juice and contain no added sugar or artificial additives. They are naturally high in fibre and are a healthy lunchbox treat or on-the-go snack. Each 20g Fruit Hero bar also counts as one of a child’s “five a day”, proving that treats can be incorporated into a healthy balanced diet. They are a great alternative to sweets and unhealthy snacks.

             

www.fruitheroes.co.uk

Facebook : FruitHeroesUK 

Twitter: @fruitheroesUK

The Red One

For long journeys, healthy snacking or a fruity treat try Ella's Kitchen 100% organic smoothies.
They are squishy, yummy and Freddy loves them.
RRP £2.99 for a multi-pack
www.ellaskitchen.co.uk

Soreen Toastie Loaf

One of the products in the Soreen range is the deliciously squidgy Toastie Loaf, bursting with yummy fruitiness! You can eat on its own or spread with your favourite topping. It is low in fat and just 116 calories per slice making a healthy option for a tasty treat.   Soreen's Toastie Loaf makes a great breakfast or a perfect snack for anytime of day.  

We were sent a couple of loaves plus a funky yellow toaster to toast it in!  The pre-cut slices are perfect for popping straight in the toaster.  No need to try to cut it yourself (which can prove tricky due to the squidgy nature of Soreen)!

They toast up really well into manageable slices that are deliciously gooey when eaten.  My husband and my daughter are totally addicted to Soreen Toastie Loaf with butter, but are equally happy to grab a slice straight from the packet.  It is extremely versatile and can be topped anyway you like.


Buy Soreen Malt Toastie Loaf from Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrison's.  RRP £1.39.

Bear's New Mango Yo Yos

Bear, the award winning healthy snack brand,  has added a new Mango flavour to its best selling fruity Yo Yo's range to celebrate its third birthday!  They sent us a cool lunchbox, a wooden yoyo and a pack of the new Mango flavoured YoYo to try out before they hit the shops!

The twin pack of fruity Mango YoYos were yummied up by Kizzy and Freddy.  They will definitely be great as a healthier option for snacking and ideal for their school packed lunches.   

BEAR Yo Yos are made from ‘100% naked nature’ - pure fruit picked fresh in season then gently baked with absolutely no added sugar, preservatives or stabilisers. Available in-store from the 6th of October the new Mango flavour joins the existing fruit gang of Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry and Pineapple & Apple. 

They count as one of your five a day and a perfect antidote to growling tums!!

They will cost 49p for a pack or £2.29 for a multi-pack of five.

Find out more at www.bearnibbles.co.uk

Healthy Lunch Box Treats

Sainsbury's Healthy Fruity Snacks For Kids

My children return to school tomorrow.  The summer holidays have gone in a flash and I'm now preparing myself for the routine of the school run, uniforms and packed lunches.  Thankfully, a much appreciated delivery from Sainsbury's will help me out with the organisation of packed lunches.

We received a really cute pink owl design lunchbox which Kizzy has fallen in love with.  It is a good size with insulated walls, a sturdy handle and zip.  Perfect for school.   

Kizzy was even more delighted when she saw what was inside!  Sainsbury's have a range of healthy, satisfying fruit based snacks and smoothies designed for children, which will provide them with energy to keep up with the demands of the new term.  They are a great alternative to unhealthy snacks like biscuits and sweets.

Kizzy loves anything fruity and she was delighted to discover the mini packs of Raisins and Blueberries and Bite Sized Apricots.  A perfectly sized portion of dried fruit to add a sweet but healthy treat to her lunchbox. The Strawberry Fruity Flakes and the Yogurt Coated Raisins are also delicious snacks packed with taste, offering a twist on traditional dried fruits.  The fun characters on the packaging will appeal to younger children, encouraging them to try them.  Who said healthy can't be fun??

The Smoothies in Orange and Mango or Apple and Blackcurrant are naturally sweet and come in a convenient pouch with a screw top.  Not only will they be perfect in a lunchbox, they are also great for travelling, offering a healthy solution to hunger pangs!  Freddy loved them and enjoyed slurping them from the pouch.

The Smoothies cost £2.59 for a pack of five and the Fruit Mini Bags are 38p each from Sainsbury's.

Soreen - Deliciously Squidgy Energy

Soreen Malt Loaves, Toasties, Lunchbox Loaves and Snackers

We have recently been sent a hamper of Soreen products to test out.  This has made my husband Ian and my daughter Kizzy really happy because they are big fans of Soreen!  They love chomping through a malt loaf between them.  I have never indulged because I don't like eating dried fruit and Malt Loaf is cram packed full of raisins!  

Receiving a Soreen Banana Loaf meant that I would at last get to sample the squidgy goodness for myself!  When I tried it I understood why it is described as 'squidgy'!  It is dense, sticky and very fruity.  We were all very impressed with the Toastie Loaf that had pre-cut slices so Kizzy could help herself to a snack (cutting Malt Loaf is a bit of an art to avoid squashing it flat with the knife!)  The individually packed lunchbox loaves and Snackers mean that Kizzy can have Soreen in her lunchbox, which makes her extremely happy!

Here are all the details of the Soreen goodies:

Union Jack inspired Original Malt Loaves

Available in two sizes - ‘Great’ and ‘Greater’ – the limited edition packs of the nation’s favourite malt loaf are jam packed full of deliciously squidgy energy.  The celebratory loaves feature the same unique malty taste Soreen is famous for and are filled to the brim with raisins. The packs will be available for a limited and will be stocked in all major retailers, including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons nationwide, retailing at 70p for a ‘Great’ loaf and £1.19 - £1.25 for a ‘Greater’ loaf.

Lunchbox Loaves

Available in Original Malt Loaf and Banana flavours, each pack of new Lunchbox Loaves contains five individually wrapped mini loaves, designed for maximum freshness, meaning they’re a great bitesize treat to enjoy every day of the week.  Packed with deliciously squidgy energy and the unique malty taste, each Original Malt Loaf flavoured loaf contains just 95 calories and 0.1g saturated fat, making them a great low fat, high energy snack.  The Banana version is jam-packed full of yummy banana goodness with a light, fruity taste. The temptingly moist loaves each contain just 99 calories and 0.3g saturated fat, providing a delicious treat to enjoy at lunchtime.  Perfect for snacking on during a busy day, the Lunchbox Loaves are a great tasting, healthy snack to keep those on the go full of energy all day long!

Both flavour  Lunchbox Loaves are stocked in Asda, and the Original Malt Loaf available in Sainsbury’s, retailing at RSP £1.35.

NEW Snackers

Available in two flavours, Original Malt Loaf and Fruity Five, Snackers contain five handy individually wrapped slices. Low in calories (under 90 per slice) and low in fat, as well as being high in energy, they provide a healthier alternative snack, keeping those on the go full of energy all day long!

Available exclusively from Asda: RSP from £1.28.

NEW Malt Toastie Loaf

Malt loaf can now easily be enjoyed hot and toasted as a delicious breakfast or mid-morning snack. Full of juicy raisins, each slice of Toastie Loaf contains just 116 calories and 0.3 per cent saturated fat. Pre-sliced for ease and sized perfectly for the toaster, serve simply with a little low fat spread or, alternatively topped with jam – scrumptious!  Available from Asda, Tesco and Morrison’s. RSP from £1.39.

Banana Fruit Loaf

Containing less than 1.5 per cent saturated fat and packed with yummy banana goodness and only natural ingredients, the Banana Fruit Loaf provides the perfect alternative to an energy bar before a hard work out.  Available from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Co-op, Asda, Ocado and Waitrose. RSP from £1.29 for a large loaf.

Original Malt Loaf

Full to the brim with raisins, original malt loaf is available in a variety of sizes including standard, large, sliced and a Snack Pack containing two pre-buttered slices. Containing less than three per cent fat, it’s a great low fat, high energy snack.  Available from all major supermarkets. RSP from £1.29 for a large loaf. Snack Packs RSP from 70p.

Choccy Munchy Seeds

Chocolate To Burn, Seeds to Feed!

If you want an alternative to traditional chocolate bunnies this Easter how about some Choccy Munchy Seeds?  A mix of vitamin A rich sunflower and pumpkin seeds are mixed with Apricot pieces and coated in Belgian Chocolate, or mixed with crystallized ginger and covered in Dark Chocolate with Chilli flavouring.

They are rich in fibre and iron and are a source of zinc, and suitable for vegetarians.  They are definitely a healthier alternative to other chocolate snacks, giving you the health benefits of seeds and the delicious taste of chocolate.  Mindful munching at its best!

Award Winning Choccy Munchy Seeds  

The packaging of the Munchy Seeds range is great and features some great hand art.  You can download the pictures as wallpaper and colouring sheets.

The 50g snack packs cost £1.50 and can be purchased online.

www.munchyseeds.co.uk