How bad are snacks? We have no idea

SCOTS significantly underestimate the calories in snacks such as crisps, sausage rolls and biscuits, fuelling the nation’s obesity crisis, a survey reveals.

While most people could broadly work out the correct calorie content in meals and drinks, they thought many snacks were far lower in calories than the reality, according to health charity Nesta.

Polling conducted on behalf of the charity of more than 500 Scots found that 95 per cent of people underestimated the calories in half (90g) of a sharing packet of crisps, some by as much as 300 calories.

Frances Bain, of Nesta in Scotland, said: ‘Manufacturers could reformulate high-calorie snacks without affecting taste.’