5 OF THE BEST HEALTHY BISCUITS

NO ONe expects a biscuit to be healthy and many are packed with sugar. even supposedly ‘healthy’ biscuits such as reduced-fat digestives are packed with sugar (each McVitie’s Light digestive contains five fewer calories, 1g less fat but half a gram more sugar than the full-fat version). Independent dietitian, Dr Sarah Schenker, helped us to pick the five healthiest biscuits.

GARIBALDI

From 88p, most supermarkets. Per biscuit: Calories, 39; sugar, 3.8g; salt, 0.03g; fat, 0.9g.

EXPERT VERDICT: The main ingredient is currants (40 per cent), and the 1 tsp of sugar in each biscuit mostly comes from natural sugar in the fruit, which also contains nutrients and fibre to help balance any harmf ul blood- sugar spiking. The ‘squashed fly’ biscuits are also among the lowest calorie biscuits.

NAIRN’S OAT MIXED BERRY BISCUITS

£1.35 for 200g, Waitrose. Per biscuit: Calories, 43; sugar, 1.6g; salt, 0.09g; fat, 1.5g.

EXPERT VERDICT: These are lower in calories than Jaffa Cakes, which are often hailed as one of the lowest calorie treats at 45 each, and contain less than half a teaspoon of sugar per biscuit. They’re 66 per cent oats, which are rich in beta glucans, a fibre that helps slow digestion and prevent sugar spikes.

HOVIS DIGESTIVE BISCUITS

From 89p, most supermarkets. Per biscuit: Calories, 57; sugar, 2.3g; salt, 0.1g; fat, 2.4g.

EXPERT VERDICT: Although Hovis digestives are more likely to be served with cheese than a cup of tea, they’re a healthier choice either way. Most digestives are simple, unadulterated with few ingredients, and relatively low in sugar (½ tsp) but each Hovis biscuit is 15 fewer calories and marginally less sugar than a McVitie’s digestive.

McVITIE’S DARK CHOCOLATE HOBNOBS

From £1.59, supermarkets. Per biscuit: Calories, 92; sugar, 11.2g; salt, 0.1g; fat, 4.5g.

EXPERT VERDICT: These have 25 per cent plain chocolate, which is packed with polyphenols (plant nutrients) and minerals (such as magnesium) which studies have shown help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. They also give you fibre, as they’re 30 per cent oats and 16pc wholemeal flour. However, think of these as an occasional treat rather than a regular indulgence.

NAIRN’S DARK CHOCOLATE CHIP OAT BISCUITS

£1.35 for 200g, supermarkets. Per biscuit: Calories, 45; sugar, 1.9g; salt 0.08g; fat, 1.7g.

EXPERT VERDICT: Although these are only 9 per cent dark chocolate — not enough to offer the purported health benefits of dark chocolate — they’re low in sugar (½ tsp) and calories. They are also 59 per cent oats, which cut down bloodsugar spikes.