GO ON… THEY’RE GOOD FOR YOU

Eating healthily can be a minefield. Melonie Clarke rounds up the healthiest (and tastiest) new treats on the market

BEST Snacks

Bounce balls, starting at £1.79, available nationwide from Waitrose
We're all guilty of it, feeling in need of an energy boost and heading straight for the chocolate. Bounce natural-energy balls not only give you a super energy boost, but they leave you feeling fuller for longer, stopping you reaching for a snack. And they taste great, too. Our favourites were the Peanut Protein Blast and Coconut & Macadamia Protein Bliss.

Ryvita Crackerbread, £1.19, available from all major retailers
Ryvita has just released two new flavours: cheese and pepper. They still have only 19 calories (just 1% of GDA) per slice, but now offer a little added taste. One or two of the pepper crackers dipped into soup is a great, filling, lunch option.

Nakd Bars, 79p, available from all major retailers
Nakd bars are free from gluten, wheat and dairy and provide one of your five a day. They are 100% vegan and have no added sugar or syrups. Made with dates, nuts, cocoa and fruit, they are available in many flavours, including orange, mint, cashew cookie, and pecan pie.

Mallow and Marsh Marshmallows, £3, available from selected Sainsbury's
Marshmallows are normally thought of as a decadent sweet treat, but they are in fact naturally high in energy, low in fat and gluten free. Mallow and Marsh only uses the highest-quality ingredients, from 100% natural raspberry to organic and fair-trade vanilla extract, with no additives or preservatives.

BEST Alternatives

Clarks Maple Syrup, from £1.98, available from all major retailers
If current research is to be believed, sugar is incredibly bad for your health. Maple syrup is a great alternative to white, refined sugar as it has fewer calories than sugar and honey and is a great source of zinc (which aids the immune system). Even small changes can lead to a healthier lifestyle, so if you enjoy a spoonful of sugar in your coffee, try a dash of maple syrup instead.

Alpro Almond Milk, £1.69, available from all major retailers
A milk substitute that contains no cholesterol or lactose, Alpro Almond Milk is low in calories and fat. Made from ground almonds and water, it contains no animal products so is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Use instead of regular milk with your morning porridge.

Vivid Matcha, £1.85, available from Waitrose, Selfridges, Whole Foods, Harvey Nichols, Planet Organic and independent retailers.
Perfect if you're looking to detox, Vivid is the first ready-to-drink Mathca tea. Try swapping your regular morning tea with this – it has a high level of antioxidants. We really loved the Lime, Ginger & Honey flavour.

Roots & Bulbs, available from www.rootsandbulbs.com
Cold-pressed juices (meaning they are fresh, raw, unpasteurised and thus more nutritious) are full of flavour and contain a higher concentration of nutrients. These liquid snacks come in a number of great flavours; we really loved the spinach, cucumber, celery and alfalfa.

Healthy-Food-02-590


BEST Breakfast treats

Rude Health cereals, from £3.99, available from Ocado, Waitrose & Sainsbury's
Since 2005, Rude Health has been creating healthy cereals, snacks and dairy-free products. All the products used are sustainably grown, use only natural, unrefined sugars, and contain no additives. We really loved the Honey & Nuts Granola. It being Valentine's Day, here's an interesting fact for you: oats are also one of nature's aphrodisiacs. Who knew?

Cuckoo, £2.49, available from Selfridges and Daylesford
This single-pot breakfast treat is great for a healthy breakfast on the go. The muesli, mixed with fruit compote and juicy berries, contains fewer than 300 calories and is a great source of fibre. Made in Britain using home-grown ingredients, we really loved the Elderflower and Cranberry with Blueberry and Blackcurrant compote

BEST For eating out

Want to eat out but still keep it healthy? Try one of these

Oscar & Bentleys, Canterbury
Tucked away in the heart of Canterbury, this bistro is good news for those suffering from coeliac disease, as well as anyone who has chosen to cut back on gluten. Approximately one in every 100 Britons now suffers from coeliac disease, and at Oscar & Bentleys, everything on the menu is gluten-free and prepared in a gluten-free environment. Mains start at £8.

01227-454544, www.oscar-bentleys.co.uk

SAF, London
SAF, which stands for Simply Authentic Food, is a raw-food restaurant in Kensington. All dishes are at least 50% raw and 100% vegan. The kitchen is completely plant-based and non-dairy, with a no-meat and no-wheat policy. Mains start at £11.

020-7368 4555, www.safrestaurant.co.uk/restaurant-bar