Top ‘healthy’ sweets to give your kids this summer from treat that’s one of your five a day to why portion size matters

THE ­average child asks for snacks 11 times daily over the summer break, and ­consumes more than 40 per cent extra added sugar. But when only sweets will do, which are the best bags for parents to pick? The ­average child asks for snacks 11 times daily over the summer break, and ­consumes more than 40 per cent extra added sugar Credit: Getty Dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine looks at classic and ‘better-for-you’ confectionary and rates each out of five Credit: Getty New rules around high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods have led to many treats getting healthy rebrands. But are these high-fibre, plant-power, reduced-sugar sweets better choices? Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! Here, dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine looks at classic and “better-for-you” confectionary and rates each out of five. Candy Kittens Wild Strawberry 140g, £2.50, Tesco – 4/5 Candy Kittens Wild Strawberry contain fruit juice with no ­artificial colours or flavours and scored 4 out of 5 Credit: Candy Kittens THESE are one of the better premium packs, but the main downside is price. They contain fruit juice with no ­artificial colours or flavours, but nutritionally they are still largely sugar. Fine as an occasional treat, but I wouldn’t choose them over cheaper bags of conventional jelly sweets on health grounds alone. Bear Fruit YoYos Strawberry 5 x 20g, £2.85, Sainsbury’s – 5/5 Bear Fruit YoYos Strawberry are made entirely from fruit, count as one of your five-a-day and scored full makrs Credit: Sainsburys ONE of the strongest options, these are made entirely from fruit, count as one of your five-a-day and provide fibre that is largely absent from traditional sweets. They still have natural sugars, so are not something to eat endlessly but still better than standard candy. Most read in Money A little pricey, though. Wild Thingz Zesty Pests 130g, £2.75, Ocado – 4/5 Wild Thingz Zesty Pests deserve credit as they use organic ingredients, contain fruit juice and no artificial colours/flavours Credit: Ocado THESE deserve credit as they use organic ingredients, are vegan, contain fruit juice and no artificial colours/flavours. But despite containing less sugar than most other confectionery, they’re still sweets. Cleaner ingredients do not automatically make them healthy. Higher cost is also a consideration. Werther’s Original Sugar Free 80g, £1.24, Asda – 3/5 Werther’s Original Sugar Free are a good option if you’re trying to reduce sugar intake Credit: Asda A GOOD option if you’re trying to reduce sugar intake. They are sweetened with polyols instead, but sugar-free doesn’t necess- arily mean healthier overall. Don’t overdo them as too many can cause bloating or diarrhoea. Avoid giving to youngsters as chewy, gummy and hard sweets can all pose a choking hazard. Monster Islands Sour Seas 170g, £1.25 (£1 Nectar), Sainsbury’s – 3/5 Sainsbury’s Monster Islands Sour Seas are inexpensive and no worse than branded alternatives Credit: Sainsburys THIS larger pack offers better value, especially if you have a big family. It serves six. Nutritionally, they’re fairly typical, mostly sugar with little nutritional value, but they’re inexpensive and no worse than branded alternatives. There isn’t really a healthy sweet, so all are best enjoyed as an occasional treat. Portion size matters. Natural Confectionery Jelly Snakes 110g, £1, Sainsbury’s – 4/5 Natural Confectionery Jelly Snakes are still high in sugar Credit: Sainsburys SIMILAR to Rowntree’s with fruit juice concentrates and avoiding artificial colours and flavours, but they’re still high in sugar. The ‘natural’ name on the packet can make them seem much healthier than they actually are, so it’s worth looking beyond the front of the pack. Remember, this bag contains four portions so do not eat them all. Haribo Starmix Mini Bags 22 x 25g, £3, Morrisons – 3/5 Haribo Starmix Mini Bags are an acceptable mainstream choice as the portion is so small Credit: Morrisons MINI packets make it easier to manage portion control and they’re great for party bags. These are high in sugar, but they’re an acceptable mainstream choice as the portion is so small. This size packet of sweets enjoyed occasionally is fine as part of an otherwise balanced diet. “Better-for-you” branding does not always mean healthy. Reduced Sugar Percy Pigs 150g, £1.70, M&S – 4/5 Reduced Sugar Percy Pigs contains sugar and should be a treat Credit: Ocado WITH around one-third less sugar than original Percy Pigs, plus more fibre, these are good. But they still contain sugars and should be a treat. If you’re choosing between the two Percy versions, these are a sensible swap. A stronger example of a “better-for-you” sweet than many of the expensive natural brands. Comment now