Gamers looking for less fat
You want a sweet snack and are comparing the fat content of the exact product variant. Plain apricots give you a useful point of comparison; a low fat content is not the same as a proven fat-reduction claim.
Who is this guide for?
Snackers who plan their portions
You want to decide in advance how much to have alongside your game. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises having no more than a handful of unsweetened dried fruit, as dried fruit contains a lot of sugar.
Shoppers choosing packaging and quantities
You’re buying snacks for several occasions and checking the pack size, whether it can be resealed and the storage instructions for that specific pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First compare the nutritional information for the exact variant, then decide on your portion and check whether the packaging suits the way you want to store the snack.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and claims | Compare the fat per 100 g for the exact variant. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim. | If I mainly want less fat while gaming, I look at the nutritional information rather than just the type of fruit. Around 42% of consumers put fat content first. |
| Sugars and portion size | Check total sugars and energy per 100 g, and weigh your portion in advance. ‘No added sugars’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’. | If I want to plan how much I snack on, I check the sugar and energy in the portion I’m actually putting out. Around 33% of consumers give portion control the highest priority. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the pack size, whether the packaging can be resealed and the storage instructions for that variant. | If I’m setting out snacks for several gaming sessions, I want to know how to reseal and store the pack once it’s open. Around 25% of consumers say packaging convenience is most important. |
Common pitfalls
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Confusing low fat with proven fat reduction
A low fat figure tells you how much fat a product contains. It doesn’t prove that the product contains less fat than a suitable product for comparison.
Use the nutritional information for the exact variant to help you choose, and don’t treat ‘reduced fat’ as proven without a suitable comparison.
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
For its specific dried apricots, PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 53.4 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check both the ingredients and the total sugars on the label, and decide in advance how much you want to eat.
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Assuming fruit crisps are just dried fruit
AH Banana Chips contain coconut oil and sugar; the nutrition table lists 30 g of fat per 100 g.
For crisps, coated fruit and mixes, check the ingredients and nutritional information for that exact product.
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Mistaking an old product page for a current buying option
The product page for Jumbo Organic Dried Apricots 250 g says that the product is no longer part of the online range.
Treat information about a product and the option to buy that specific product as two separate things.
Supermarket brands compared
Albert Heijn
The range includes plain dried fruit, fruit and nut mixes, and fruit crisps; the product type and ingredients determine what you’re comparing.
- AH’s official product information for Banana Chips 200 g lists the ingredients and nutritional values for that specific product.
- For these banana chips, Albert Heijn lists coconut oil, sugar and 30 g of fat per 100 g. Those figures don’t automatically apply to other dried fruit from the brand.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists dried fruit such as apricots, plums, dates and raisins in a range of pack sizes.
- The nutrition information for Jumbo Pitted Dried Apricots 250 g gives values per 100 g and per 20 g portion.
- The product information lists sulphites and warns that it may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame. If you have a relevant allergy, check the current packaging.
Lidl
Lidl sells dried fruit and nuts under its Alesto brand, including apricots.
- The brand page helps you identify the Alesto range.
- Alesto includes both fruit and nuts; the brand name alone doesn’t tell you the fat content of a specific variant.
ALDI
Under Trader Joe’s, ALDI offers products including dried apricots, raisins and fruit mixes.
- ALDI describes a range of fruit mixes in resealable 200 g packs.
- The range includes different variants, including mixes with cashew nuts. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the product you choose.
PLUS
PLUS Dried Apricots Stand-up Pouch 375 g is a specific plain variant whose ingredients and nutritional information you can compare.
- For these apricots, PLUS lists 0.5 g of fat, 53.4 g of sugars and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
- The product information lists sulphites. Here, ‘no added sugars’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including pitted apricots in a 200 g pack.
- The product page gives information about the packaging and in-store availability.
- Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service. The product listing doesn’t support a comparison of the fat content with other apricots.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are dried fruit options for anyone looking for a gaming snack and wanting to compare the listed fat content, sugars and ingredients.
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Haoxiangni Dr.Jujube Premium Gold-Grade, pitted, 390 g
An option if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat fruit snack with a low listed fat content.
The product description lists 0 g of fat, 50.0 g of sugars and 327 kcal per 100 g. The dates are pitted.
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OHLA dried soursop, 180 g
A snack option to compare if you want to consider the sugars and ingredients as well as the fat content.
The product information lists 2.21 g of fat, 72.6 g of sugars and 348 kcal per 100 g. The ingredients list includes sugar and glucose syrup; the description mentions sodium metabisulphite.
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Haoxiangni pitted jujubes, 500 g
An option if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat, pitted fruit snack and want to weigh up the sugars per portion.
The product description lists 0.5 g of fat, 60 g of sugars and 300 kcal per 100 g.
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Bestore dried loquat with bamboo salt, 200 g
A ready-to-eat fruit option to consider if you want to compare the fat content with the other nutritional values.
The product information lists 0 g of fat, 66.2 g of sugars and 311 kcal per 100 g. The ingredients list includes sugar and glucose syrup; the description mentions sulphites.
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Three Squirrels dried red apricots, 250 g
An option if you’re looking for apricots that the product description says can be eaten straight from the pack.
The nutritional information lists 0 g of fat, 62 g of sugars and 311 kcal per 100 g. The ingredients list includes sugar and malt syrup; the description mentions sulphites. The pack is described as resealable.
Frequently asked questions
When can dried fruit be called ‘low fat’?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim. This limit describes an absolute amount of fat and, on its own, doesn’t prove a reduction in fat compared with another product.
Do I need to prepare dried apricots before eating them?
The Jumbo pack we checked gives nutritional values per 20 g portion. You can weigh out that portion in advance; also check the instructions and warnings on the packaging of your product.
How should I store an opened bag of dried fruit?
Follow the storage advice for the exact variant. PLUS recommends storing the apricots mentioned above in a cool, dry, dark place; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises sealing dried mixed fruit properly. Don’t automatically apply that advice to every type of dried fruit.
What should I check if I’m sensitive to sulphites or have a food allergy?
Check the current packaging for the variant you’ve chosen. The Jumbo apricots we checked contain sulphites and may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame; the PLUS apricots also list sulphites.