Sweet snacks

Beware processed snacks that are loaded with sugar and bad fats.

Get access to all CHOICE BENEFITS
$1.91/wk
*Billed quarterly

01 .Introduction

It's little surprise that some packaged snacks are nutritionally better than others - but how can you tell? CHOICE purchased a selection of shelf-stable snacks, sized up their nutritional value and has brought you the results. See our table of results. We found some were little more than confectionery in disguise.

The key to good snacking is choosing those low in saturated fat and sugar and limiting portion sizes. The best sweet snacks are fresh fruit and yoghurt; they’re core everyday foods that provide important nutrients our bodies need. Unfortunately, these need refrigeration or have a limited shelf life. Food manufacturers have responded to our increasing snacking habits and need for shelf-stable snacks, and supermarket shelves are brimming with them.

So what is a snack?

There’s no universally accepted definition for the term snack, so knowing the difference between a snack and an indulgence is easier said than done. Ideally, a snack should be low in saturated fat and sugar and provide less than 600kJ of energy per serve.

Think of snacking as an opportunity not only to fill your belly, but also to maximise your nutritional gains – something you can’t do with indulgence foods. Indulgence foods include products such as chocolate, cakes, high-fat biscuits, processed foods in large portion sizes, or anything you would normally reserve for a dessert or treat. If you know the difference between the two, you’ll be better equipped to fuel your body sensibly and keep your waistline slim.

Tips for smart snacking

1. Make fruit or yogurt your first choice.
2. Stick to smaller portion sizes of packaged snacks.
3. Watch the saturated fat and sugar content.
4. Choose snacks with <600kJ per serve.
5. Aim for a snack with fibre or combine an small pre-packaged snack with a piece of fruit.
6. Eat whole foods – look for shorter ingredients list and fewer additives.

04.Compare the different snacks

Instructions

Comparison table list

By default ALL tested products are listed. You can select up to five items to view in a side by side comparison.
Additional columns can be viewed by using the Next/Previous buttons.

Using the filters

Use the filters to show only products that meet your specific requirements or which have the specific features you're interested in. Selecting filters automatically updates the Comparison table list.
The number shown in brackets represents the number of products that will be shown if you select that filter.
You can view additional filters by selecting the Show more filters button.

Table notes: Only single serve pre-packaged snacks were analysed, meaning some snack brands may be missing. There are no values in the 'Total score' column as we did not perform a taste test.

Make a selection

View full table

Filters

Deselect all

Show more filters Show less filters

Compare products

Table Allowing the user to select a number of products dependant on their filter options.
Items to compare	First Previous Last Next Showing columns 1 - 9 of 8
Select up to 5 items below. Then click the compare button Compare	Price ($)	Product type	Energy (kJ per 100g)	Total fat (per 100g)	Saturated fat (per 100g)	Sugars (per 100g)	Sodium (mg per 100g)	Fibre (g per 100g)

Leda Nutrition Baked fruit filled bar Apple flavour 5 x 38g	4.64	Bars	1300	0.9	0.1	49.8	115	5.1
Weight Watchers Oven baked ceraeal bar strawberry and blueberry duo 6 x 37.5g	2.99	Bars	1320	0.9	0.2	30.3	225	12.8
Uncle Tobys Bodywise Apple delight 6 x 35g	4.89	Bars	1330	6.3	0.9	16.2	90	25.4
Hillcrest (Aldi) fruit filled Apricot flavoured bars 6 x 37.5g	2.49	Bars	1340	2.9	1.1	27.9	345	6.8
woolworths select fruit bar strawberry and blueberry 6 x 37.5g	3.99	Bars	1420	4	1.2	29.4	227	8.2
Kelloggs K-Time Twists Raspberry and apple 6 x 37g	4.29	Bars	1420	5.8	0.8	35.6	180	5.6
Be Natural trail bars Honey nut 6 x 32g	4.99	Bars	1540	8.4	1.6	13	150	11.8
Be Light (Aldi) Cereal bar Orange flavoured 6 x 30g	2.99	Bars	1540	2.9	0.7	13.6	180	7.6
…..well,naturally AntiOx bar 40g	1.99	Bars	1672	18.2	9.8	18.6	45	11.6
Sun Health Foods Hifi plus yoghurt, macadamia and apricot	1.39	Bars	1716	22.2	9.8	26.8	29	15
Woolworths Homebrand Chewy muesli bar Strawberry and Yoghurt flavoured 8 x 31.25g	1.99	Bars	1720	10.8	8	27.8	120	4.2
Kelloggs Special K Chocolatey Bars - raspberry flavour 6 x 21.5g	2.39	Bars	1730	8.1	5.8	29.4	250	2.5
All Natural Bakery Honey and oat slice - Apricot 80g	1.57	Bars	1798	19.96	12.34	16.94	193	7.5
Carmen's Original fruit-free muesli bar 6 x 45g	4.29	Bars	1800	18.2	2	12.1	45	7
Uncle Tobys Yoghurt Tops Apricot 6 x 31.3g	3.75	Bars	1810	16.3	8.8	30.1	33	5
All Natural Bakery oat slice yoghurt peach and mango 100g	1.89	Bars	1819	20.24	13.54	23.11	177	7.1
Uncle Tobys Crunchy Nut Crumble 6 x 20g	3.75	Bars	1840	16.2	3.5	16.8	265	8.6
Carmens Yoghurt Apricot and Almond bar 6 x 35g	4.29	Bars	1850	22	5.6	25.2	49	5.5
Be natural four currant + nuts + grains + seed 6 x 32g	3.99	Bars	1860	21.7	3.2	26.3	150	5.3
Nature Valley Crunchy Oats and Honey 6 x 42g	4.49	Bars	1934	16.1	11	27	340	6.2
All Natural Bakery oat slice Nut Delight 100g	1.89	Bars	1958	24.12	12.31	16.62	184	7.9
Mrs May's strawberry Trio bar 35g	1.29	Bars	2029	34.3	4.3	17	129	5.7
Go natural Yoghurt Almond and Apricot 40g	1.59	Bars	2035.02	30.7	20.26	41.45	48	6.55
Sun Health Foods Rice Syrup bar Cashew and honey 35g	0.99	Bars	2047	29.1	5.2	31.1	24	2.2
nice&natural natural nut bar trail mix 6 x 32g	3.99	Bars	2140	31.8	7.4	25.7	57	6.1
nice&natural Chocolate nut bar almond 6 x 30g	3.99	Bars	2170	33	7.9	28.3	34
Golden Days Seasame Snaps Original 40g	0.84	Bars	2180	30.5	4.6	37.8	99
Go natural Nut Delight 40g	1.59	Bars	2181.05	39.85	4.52	20.17	16.39	7.5
Go Natural Nut Bar macadamia and hazelnut 45g	1.59	Bars	2214	40.5	5.7	21.7	14	7
Kelloggs Crunchy Nut Nutty 6 x 30g	4.69	Bars	2230	35.6	10.9	26.2	275	5.1
Sun Health Foods Rice Syrup bar Macadamia and honey 35g	0.99	Bars	2527	50.6	9	31.2	8	0.9
Adams Bruce mini cakes Light fruit and sticky date 12 x 90g	10	Snack cakes	1320	7.7	3.2	26.9	220
Mills and Ware Muffin bars choc chip 6 x 42g	4.89	Snack cakes	1590	14	4.7	28.7	300	9.5
Mills and Ware Muffin bars chocolate 6 x 42g	4.89	Snack cakes	1600	14.8	2.2	25.3	295	8.9
Balconi Trancetto 10 x 28g	5.39	Snack cakes	1641	17.6	8.7	35.2	0.15	0.7
Ministry of Muffins Little bites muffins choc chip 6 x 40g	3.91	Snack cakes	1650	15.9	4.1	36.4	365	9.3
Ministry of Muffins Little bites muffins choc fudge brownies 6 x 40g	3.91	Snack cakes	2020	24.1	6	42.4	270
Paradise Vive Lites mini choc 8 x 30g	3.79	Sweet biscuits	1730	6.8	3	34.1	325	3.1
White Wings Homestyle Chunkies minis choc chip 8 x 25g	3.99	Sweet biscuits	1959	16.8	12	33.8	260	5.1
Wheelies mini sandwich cookies 12 x 30g	2.98	Sweet biscuits	2060	20	12	28	300
Arnott's Tim Tam Fingers 90g	0.99	Sweet biscuits	2160	27	13.3	45	170
WeightWatchers Peaches in mango jelly 4 x 120g	2.59	Processed fruit	42	0.1	0.1	1	55	1.6
Sweet valley (Aldi) Peaches in Juice 4 x 125g	2.79	Processed fruit	180	0.1	0.1	9.6	5
Goulburn Valley diced apricot 140g	2.95	Processed fruit	202	0.1	0.1	7.7	8	1.2
Goulburn Valley pear with pomegranate 140g	1.45	Processed fruit	208	0.1	0.1	8.1	7	2.1
woolworths select diced peaches in fruit juice 140g	2.59	Processed fruit	210	0.3	0	12	5
Goulburn Valley diced two fruits 140g	1.45	Processed fruit	227	0.1	0.1	9.1	8	1.2
Goulburn Valley fruit salad in juice 140g	1.45	Processed fruit	238	0.1	0.1	9.1	9	1.5
Woolworths select Peaches in mango jelly 120g	3.58	Processed fruit	280	0.3	0	17	54
Sweet Vine (Aldi) Australian sultanas 6 x 40g	1.99	Processed fruit	552	0.8	0.2	19.7	5	2.4
Golden Days Apple & Berry fruballs 3 x 30g	2.79	Processed fruit	444	0.8	0.2	18	42	1.5
Compare	First Previous Last Next Showing columns 1 - 9 of 8

How to comment

Here's your chance to join in the debate. Just click in the comment box and let the CHOICE Community know what you think, or view all of the comments on this article.

Reporting offensive comments

If you see something offensive or something that just shouldn't be there, hit the report button and let us know immediately. View the Terms of use for user comments.

Make a Comment

Email me when someone comments on this article

Sweet snacks