5 of the best BREAKFAST BARS

snack bars are often packed with sugar, fat and additives. Here, sophie Medlin, a dietitian from city Dietitians, selects five of the best.

WILD TRAIL CARROT CAKE FRUIT, VEG & NUT BARS

Pack of four x 30g bars, £2, ocado.com. Per bar: calories, 118; saturated fat, 0.7g; protein, 3.1g; fibre, 2.6g; sugar, 11g

CLAIM: ‘Gluten and dairy-free. No added sugar. High in fibre.’ EXPERT VERDICT: The 37 per cent cashew nut content provides filling protein, copper (for immunity) and magnesium (for blood pressure). There is the equivalent of 2 tsp of natural sugar from the raisins and carrot, but it will be released more slowly than regular sugar. TASTE: Powerful cinnamon.

THE SAVOURISTS’ BLACK OLIVE & NORI SEAWEED BAR

Pack of 12 x 30g bars, £19.99, thesavourists.com. Per bar: calories, 121; saturated fat, 0.8g; protein, 3.8g; fibre, 6.7g; sugar, 0.9g

CLAIM: ‘High fibre. Low sugar.’ EXPERT VERDICT: Mixed seeds and lentils in this savoury bar provide protein and, along with chicory root, 22 per cent of your daily fibre. The 14 plant ingredients will help boost your gut microbiome.

TASTE: Peppery olive flavour.

CREATIVE NATURE BURSTING BERRY BLEND FLAPJACK BAR

38g bar, 99p, thevegankind.com. Per bar: calories, 122; saturated fat, 0.1g; protein, 1.9g; fibre, 2.1g; sugar, 10g

CLAIM: ‘Top 14 allergen-safe. Vitamin C-rich ingredients.’

EXPERT VERDICT: This is ‘coldpressed’, meaning it hasn’t been baked at a high temperature, which preserves vitamins C and E. The high dried fruit content provides the equivalent of 2 tsp of natural sugar per bar, so crumble over yoghurt to slow its effect on your blood sugar.

TASTE: Intense berry.

PRIMAL PANTRY ALMOND & CASHEW REAL FOOD BAR

45g bar, £1.29, hollandandbarrett.com. Per bar: calories, 206; saturated fat, 1.5g; protein, 5.4g; fibre, 2.2g; sugar, 16g CLAIM: ‘Gluten and dairy-free.’ EXPERT VERDICT: A cold-pressed bar, this is 50 per cent dates (a source of fibre), 30 per cent almonds and 20 per cent cashews (for protein) — and nothing else. Each bar is 36 per cent sugar, but with nutritional benefits from the fruit; and 27 per cent fat, but mostly heart-healthy fats from nuts. TASTE: Fudgy, with crunchy pieces.

PERKIER MADAGASCAN VANILLA & DARK CHOC BAR

Pack of three x 37g bars, £2, morrisons.com. Per bar: calories, 158; saturated fat, 2.4g; protein, 5.7g; fibre, 7g; sugar, 8.2g CLAIM: ‘Billions of active cultures’ plus ‘B12, B5 and calcium.’

EXPERT VERDICT: Some ingredients in this bar are a little more processed than other bars here, but it has two probiotics and is fortified with 100 per cent of your daily vitamin B5 and B12 needs, helpful if you follow a plant-based diet. TASTE: Deliciously vanilla-flavoured.