OVER the three months of lockdown earlier this year, people in the UK spent an extra £19 million on biscuits. While a sweet biscuit is never going to be a health food, dietitian Evelyn Toner (foodship.co.uk) recommends some of the better options...
McVITIE’S HOBNOBS
300g, £1, tesco.com
Per biscuit: Calories, 72; saturated fat, 1.3g; fibre, 1g; sugar, 3.5g; salt, 0.12g
This is one of the lowest amounts of sugar of any sweet biscuit, with around three-quarters of a teaspoon per biscuit, compared with more than two teaspoons in a Penguin, say. For a sweet treat, these are also a good source of fibre, with 1g in each one from the oats.
BOLANDS FIG ROLLS
200g, 70p, asda.com
Per biscuit: Calories, 65; saturated fat, 0.7g; fibre, 0.7g; sugar, 6.3g; salt, 0.1g
FIG ROLLS are relatively low in fat and figs actually feature among the first ingredients. This means some of the sugar is natural, which might give you some of the benefits of the fruit. You may also get some minerals: figs contain iron, potassium (for healthy blood pressure) and calcium, plus vitamins A and K, for the immune system.
McVITIE’S DARK CHOCOLATE DIGESTIVE THINS
180g, £1.60, waitrose.com
Per biscuit: Calories, 31; saturated fat, 0.8g; fibre, 0.3g; sugar, 1.7g; salt, 0.05g
These are really light – only 31 calories per biscuit, which is less than half of what you get in a normal chocolate digestive. There aren’t many other beneficial nutrients here, but this lower-calorie version is good if you want the taste of a biscuit without feeling too guilty.
SAINSBURY’S RICH TEA BISCUITS
200g, 45p, sainsburys.co.uk
Per biscuit: Calories, 35; saturated fat, 0.5g; fibre, 0.5g; sugar, 1.3g; salt, 0.07g
A good old-fashioned rich tea is a healthier choice as they’re low in sugar and saturated fat. This is because, unlike most biscuits, they are made with vegetable oils rather than butter.
NAIRN’S MIXED BERRIES OAT BISCUITS
200g, £1.40, waitrose.com
Per biscuit: Calories, 43; saturated fat, 0.6g; fibre, 0.7g; sugar, 1.6g; salt, 0.09g
Nairn’s biscuits are low in saturated fat and sugar, and are a source of fibre thanks to the oat base. Dried fruit is just 4 per cent of the biscuit so doesn’t add much nutritional value.
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