Marvellous munchies

Substitutions
One way to improve the picture is to make easy substitutions of one snack for another. These are some healthier options that your child probably won't even notice:

Crisps

• Breadsticks (even better with a dip such as avocado, salsa or hummus)
• Twiglets, although fairly high in salt, but no more so than crisps, are lower in fat, plus they are wholemeal and a good source of B-vitamins
• Nuts of all sorts are good sources of polyunsaturated fats, fibre and minerals. Unsalted is best. (Children over five only)
• Oatcakes are moreish and have good fibre levels, which regulate blood sugar
• Japanese rice crackers
• Blue corn chips, available from health food shops and large supermarkets, are better than the average crisp
• Flavoured rice cakes are now widely available and are not as high in fat

Biscuits

• Wholemeal digestive biscuits (delicious with a sliver of cheese)
• Garibaldi biscuits and fig rolls have useful amounts of dried fruit in them

Chocolate
Offer a higher cocoa content chocolate than the types typically available. Green & Black do the best ones in my view, but there are others.

Cake

• Fruit muffins
• Carrot cake
• Oat and raisin flapjacks

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