Review: Nakd Breakfast Bars including Apple Danish flavour

I was recently sent the delicious looking range from Nakd featuring four of their Breakfast Bars. The flavours are; Cocoa Twist, Berry Bliss, Banana Bread and Apple Danish. I was especially excited about the Apple Danish flavour! These Nakd Breakfast Bars are suitable for vegans and contain oats, dates, raisins, and cashews as the base ingredients. The addition of oats makes these really filling and delicious as a morning snack.

Nakd Apple Danish: This was my favourite flavour and is the most delicious Nakd bar I've ever had. As a cinnamon fan I appreciated just how gorgeously flavoured this bar is. The tart apple is delicious with the sweet cinnamon and nutmeg spices coming through perfectly. It tastes like an indulgent apple danish but all for under 100 calories. 

Nakd Banana Bread: This banana flavour is the classic Nakd bar flavour but I don't think I've ever reviewed it on the blog before. This is one flavour I always go for - it has such a strong banana flavour that I keep coming back to it.

Nakd Berry Bliss: The Berry Blast is another favourite flavour. It has a tangier taste that is delicious as a morning snack. It really does taste like it's packed full of raspberries and provides a real fruity hit.

Nakd Cocoa Twist: The Cocoa Twist flavour is not really for me but funnily enough it's one of my husband's faves. It has a very strong cocoa flavour but I just prefer the sweeter and tarter fruity flavours!

Overall I love the textures of all these Nakd bars, they're so soft and chewy without being cloying or crumbly. The Apple Danish flavour is definitely one I'll be buying again. Each of these bars is now under 100 calories, which I prefer, but they're also slightly smaller than their previous 35g bars. 

Grocery Gems Verdict: Nakd Breakfast Bars

RATING: 9 out of 10 for the Apple Danish!
Buy It again?: Yes.
Nutrition (per 30g bar): Banana - 94cal, Berry Blast - 99cal, Cocoa - 99cal, Apple - 98cal.
Vegetarian: Suitable for vegans.

PR Samples. 

Review: No&More Naturally Flavoured Water with No Junk

New no&more is a refreshing range of spring water drinks flavoured with natural extracts. Each bottle is free from sugar, sweeteners or preservatives. I get through lots of water each day but I have a few family members who won't drink water unless it's a flavoured variety or sweetened with squash. Thankfully the no&more range brings a subtle flavour without any of the hidden nasties or sugars.

I tried out three of the no&more flavours; Cucumber & Mint, Raspberry & Blueberry, and Tangerine & Mango.

Cucumber & Mint: I often make a refreshing water with mint leaves and cucumber slices so I couldn't resist adding some to my glass for the photo. However, it really isn't necessary! I tried the water before I added the ingredients and I was surprised by just how flavourful and natural tasting this water was - full of fresh cucumber flavour and with a delicious hint of mint. It's a favourite combination of mine anyway and I was pleased by just how well it works here.

Tangerine & Mango and Raspberry & Blueberry: These were both quite similar, providing a hint of fruity flavour to the water. The flavour combinations were excellent and I could taste all the different fuits even though the flavours are so light. They both very fresh tasting without any of the sugariness of a squash or flavoured water. 

Grocery Gems Verdict: no&more water

RATING: 9 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes - especially the Cucumber & Mint.
Purchased: Available at Boots, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Planet Organic, Amazon/Whole Foods.
Price:  £1.29p.hole Foods for £1.29.

PR Samples sent for honest review.

Tesco Banana Bliss & Berry Blast Fruity Bars Review

I spotted these new Fruity Bars in the cereal bars section of my local Tesco. They're described on the box as being 'cold pressed fruit and nut bars with dates' that are also milk free. They look like a supermarket version of Nakd bars so I had to give them a try.

The Tesco Fruity Bars are great value (I bought both boxes on a 2 for £2.00p offer) and contain four bars per box. The bars are slightly smaller than a Nakd bar at 26g for the Banana Bliss and 28g for the Berry Blast bars (compared to 30g for Nakd). 

Tesco Banana Bliss Fruity Bar: The main ingredients here are a mix of dates, soy protein crispies, raisins, cashew nuts and banana. Each bar is 87 calories and is high in protein with 5.3g per bar. I really enjoyed the flavour here - it's very sweet with a lovely ripe banana taste. Overall, they're very similar in flavour to my favourite Nakd Banana Bread bars so I'll definitely be buying them again. Rating: 9 out of 10.

Tesco Berry Blast Fruity Bar: These are slightly different to the Banana Bliss bars above as they don't contain the soy protein crispies. Instead the main ingredients here are oats, dates, raisins, cashew nuts and cranberries. Each bar has 95 calories. The Berry Blast bars have a denser and drier texture. The overall flavour is very sweet with the  dates and berries coming through nicely. Even though these bars are pleasant enough, I much preferred the softer texture of the Banana Bliss bars. Rating: 7 out of 10.

Overall, it's great to see an alternative option in the fruit and nut bar range and I especially like the fact that these are dairy free. 

Grocery Gems Review: Tesco Fruity Bars Review

RATING: 9 out of 10 (Banana Bliss), 7 out of 10 (Berry Blast).
Buy them again?: Yes - Banana Bliss.
Nutrition: 87 calories Banana Bliss), 95 calories (Berry Blast).

Purchased: Tesco.
Price: 2 packs for £2.00p.

Review: Steve's Leaves - Persian Cress & Herby Baby Leaves

I was recently sent a few packs of Steve's Leaves - Persian Cress & Herby Baby Leaves salad mix to review. I hadn't heard of Persian Cress before but apparently it's being hailed as 'the new salad rocket' thanks to it's distinctive sweet and mild peppery flavour. It's a distant cousin of watercress and has been popular in Persian cuisine for centuries. 

The new salad mix is the creation of Dr Steve Rothwell, the man behind Steve's Leaves, who just so happens to be the first person in the UK to have a PhD in watercress!

The Persian Cress & Herby Baby Leaves salad has a lovely fresh appearance, with the small, delicate, frilly leaves of the Persian Cress making an appealing addition. The Herby Baby Leaves are a combination of Baby Green Batavia, Baby Red Cos and Wild Rocket. 

I enjoyed mine with simply with cous-cous and added baby plum tomatoes, cucumber curls and yellow peppers. The combination of the peppery Persian Cress and the sweeter baby leaves is really tasty and moreish. Apparently these leaves also make a great partner for spicy foods - I'll have to try that next time! There is lots of recipe inspiration on the Steve's Leaves website too: www.stevesleaves.co.uk/recipes.

Steve's Leaves are available at Waitrose, online at Ocado and other foodie retailers.

New Cawston Press Fruit & Veg Blends

Cawston Press kindly sent me a selection of their fruit and vegetable juice blends: Sweet Greens, Sunshine Blend and Radiant Roots. All three blends contain only pressed fruit and veg (with no concentrate) and all-natural ingredients, without any added sugar, sweeteners, preservatives or colourings. The distinctive recipes in each blend have been inspired by juice bar culture and the fresh ingredients found in kitchen gardens. 

I really enjoyed the Cawston Press Sparkling Drinks range and fruit juices, and I'm already keen on making fruit and veg juices at home, so I was looking forward to giving these new veg blends a try. The Cawston Press fruit and veg drinks are all blended with a little water which gives them a very refreshing consistency - these are not thick smoothie drinks but lighter blends that are still full of flavour. 

Cawston Press Sunshine Blend: The Sunshine Blend is a apples, carrots, oranges and celery. The main ingredients are; pressed apple juice (26%), pressed carrot juice (24%), pressed orange juice (21%), water (7%), and celery root juice. I have to admit that celery is not a vegetable that I like but somehow when combined with the flavours of orange, apple and carrot here, it is rather more enjoyable. I especially like the fact that all the main ingredients listed have added to the flavour of this juice. It's not one of those products that has one set of super ingredients on the front without following through in the actual ingredients (Innocent Super Smoothie I'm looking at you). The Sunshine Blend juice really does have the multi layered flavours of all the fruits, and even the celery too. 

Cawston Press Radiant Roots: This is a blend of beetroot, carrot, apple and ginger. The main ingredients list; pressed apple juice (47%), pressed carrot juice (24%), water (8%), pressed beetroot juice, and ginger extract. I know that Cawston Press already makes a beetroot based juice but it's not one that I've tried before. The Radiant Roots is a very refreshing and easy to drink combination. I loved the earthy beetroot flavour combined with the sweeter apple and carrot juices, and the little kick of ginger at the end too. This was also my husbands favourite juice of the three.

Cawston Press Sweet Greens: I was quite curious about this one, especially as it's described as "salad in a glass"! It's a blend of apple, pear, cucumber and lettuce, and the main ingredients listed are: pressed apple juice (39%), pressed iceberg lettuce juice (30%), water (8%), pressed pear juice (2%) and mint extract. The vegetables here, cucumber and lettuce, have quite light flavours and it's actually the fresh garden mint notes which linger in this juice. The main body of the juice tastes like a lovely cloudy apple juice, although there is something in the background flavour of the cucumber and lettuce. It's a very interesting combination and one that creates a lovely fresh tasting juice.

Overall, these are all unique and creative blends which are different to any other juices I've tried. I like the fact that you can actually taste the vegetables in these but in a very light and refreshing way.

Grocery Gems Review: Cawston Press Fruit & Veg Blends

RATING: 9 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Purchased: Available at Tesco in the chiller cabinet, and selected independent stores.
Price: £2.99p (750ml carton).

Products sent for an honest review. 

Nakd Protein Crunch Bars (Natural Balance Foods)

I'm already a fan of the Nakd range of raw fruit and nut bars from Natural Balance Foods - their Christmas Pud variety was one of my favourite new products from last year. I was lucky enough to be asked to review the Nakd Crunch range of Protein bars which come in four appealing flavours; Banana Crunch, Apple Crunch, Strawberry Crunch and Cocoa Crunch. 

All four varieties are dairy, wheat and gluten free, are 100% vegan, and contain soya crunchies for extra protein. The addition of the soya crunchies, not only adds extra crunch, but also makes the texture lighter and less dense than the original Nakd bars. They contain plenty of slow releasing energy with 5.5g (18%) of added protein creating a satisfying and filling sweet snack.

Nakd Banana Crunch: This is my favourite of all the Crunch varieties - the ripe banana flavour is just so sweet and strong here. It suits the crunchier texture and sweet fruit and nut base perfectly, creating a lovely treat for only 104 calories.

Ingredients: Dates (43%), Soya Crunchies (18%), Cashews, Raisins, Banana, Apple Juice concentrate, hint of natural flavouring. 104 calories, 5.5g protein per 30g bar.

Nakd Apple Crunch: There are large pieces of dried apple throughout this bar, as you can see in the photo above. The apple flavour is quite subtle, with the base flavours of dates, raisins and cashews being stronger than the apple itself. It's perhaps the most simple tasting of all the four flavours but I still enjoyed this one in the morning or with a cup of tea.

Ingredients: Dates (43%), Soya Crunchies (18%), Cashews, Raisins, Apple, Apple Juice concentrate, hint of natural flavouring. 108 calories, 5.5g protein per 30g bar.

Nakd Strawberry Crunch: Like the Banana Crunch, the Strawberry Crunch has a lovely strong fruity flavour. The added strawberries provide lots of natural fruity flavour and sweetness. This one was a favourite with the Mini Grocery Gems testers and I'll definitely be buying it in future. 

Ingredients: Dates (43%), Soya Crunchies (17%), Cashews, Raisins, Strawberries, Apple Juice concentrate, hint of natural flavouring. 109 calories, 5.5g protein per 30g bar.

Nakd Cocoa Crunch: This one is slightly different to the rest, with it's darker cocoa base and a less sweet flavour overall. The cocoa adds an earthy dark chocolate flavour and works particularly well with the texture of the soya crunchies. It's a great bar that satisfies a chocolate craving whilst also being a filling snack.

Ingredients: Dates (43%), Soya Crunchies (17%), Cashews, Raisins, Cocoa, Apple Juice concentrate, hint of natural flavouring. 106 calories, 5.5g protein per 30g bar.

Overall, I was impressed by the delicious flavours and crunchier texture of the Nakd Crunch bars range. If you've tried Nakd bars before and found them too dense, or just not been a fan, then it's worth giving the Crunch bar range a try - I enjoy both but my husband much prefers these bars. They manage to be healthier than many other cereal bars/snacks whilst also being full of flavour. I love how filling they are too, especially for just over 100 calories each. 

www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk

PR Samples - products sent for an honest review.

Degustabox January: Surprise Foodie Box & Discount Code!

January's Degustabox arrived yesterday and it's fittingly called the "January Healthy Box". Thankfully it's still full of interesting products from a selection of different brands - clearly healthy doesn't have to mean boring. If you haven't seen my previous posts, Degustabox is monthly foodie subscription service that is guaranteed to be filled with a mix of foodie surprises from new and established brands.

Discount Code: MTAFQ 

Each Degustabox costs £12.99 a month, which includes delivery. There is no fixed contract involved and you can cancel at any time. Degustabox have kindly provided my readers with the following Discount Code for £3.00 off your next Degustabox, bringing the cost to £9.99 delivered. Simply enter the code - MTAFQ.

www.degustabox.com/en

Here's a quick round up of all the products I received in the January Degustabox:

Alfa One Rice Bran Oil: A versatile cooking oil which is full of natural antioxidants such as Vitamin E. It also contains a naturally occurring plant sterol, Gamma Oryzanol, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol absorption. I like trying out different types of oils when cooking and I'm sure this will Rice Bran Oil be very useful in the kitchen.

Magners Light Orchard Berries: The premium Irish Cider brand has launched a new range of fruity flavours for its low calorie cider range; Magners Light. At 103 calories per bottle, Orchard Berries Light is the first new flavour to be released and is available at Tesco (in 4 x 330ml packs).

Sukrin Bread Mix: This is an interesting product - a Sunflower and Pumpkin Seed Bread Mix which is free from gluten, egg, sugar, wheat, yeast and soya. Each slice is made up of only 1% carb and has a great fibre content at 21%. I like the fact that is can be used as a base for other bread products such as pizza bases, burger buns and tortilla wraps. I'll  look forward to giving this easy to use bread mix a try!

Koko Dairy Free: This is already a product I buy quite often (I tend to go dairy free for cereal and coffee). Koko is an alternative to dairy milk made from freshly pressed coconut milk. It contains fewer calories than skimmed milk, and has 0% cholesterol. It also doesn't curdle in tea or coffee which is a real plus.

Little Miracles Organic Teas: Little Miracles is a blend of organic tea, juice, and ginseng drinks that are sweetened with agave. They are free from artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners. Degustabox have featured the Little Miracles range before and I really enjoyed the flavours I tried previously. There were two Little Miracles drinks included in the January Degustabox; a White Tea  with Cherry and a Black Tea with Peach.

Simplee Aloe: A blend of aloe vera and grape juice which is made used ethically sourced ingredients without any artificial colours or flavourings. Each 330ml "Grab & Go" carton has less calories than an apple. I've tried Aloe Vera drinks before and enjoyed them, but they've always been flavoured versions. It will be interesting to see how this "Simplee Aloe" drink compares. The range is available at Sainsbury's, Whole Foods Stores and Japan Centre.

Haywards Piccalilli: I have a confession to make: I've never tried Piccalilli before, which is strange, especially considering how much I like pickles (and mustard!). I can imagine this would have been great at Christmas time as an accompaniment to cold meats, but luckily it's also recommended for sandwiches, burgers and BBQs. Either way, I'm sure we will get plenty of use out of this Piccalilli and I'm already a fan of the Haywards range after trying their Hot & Spicy Pickled Onions recently.

Finn Crisp Original: Another product that I buy fairly regularly. The Finn Crisp Sourdough Rye Crispbreads have only 22 calories per slice and are made from wholegrain natural ingredients, making them rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and low in fat. 

Kabuto Noodles: I've always wanted to try the Kabuto Noodles range so I was delighted to find a pot in the Degustabox. Unlike other mainstream noodle pots, Kabuto Noodles are made with authentic Asian flavours and quality ingredients. It's described as a "fresh tasting noodle dish with miso, soy and vegetables". I'll update once I've tried it!

Mornflakes Top Porridge Pots: Nutella Porridge!! Without a doubt, the highlight of the Degustabox for me, are these individual porridge pots from Mornflakes. They are available with additional portions of sweet treats on top in either; Lyles Golden Syrup or Nutella. Yes, that's real NUTELLA. 

It's such a brilliant idea! I've honestly never added Nutella to porridge before but I'm more than happy to give it a go. These cute pots are available at Waitrose.

Clipper Green Tea: Included as a special free gift is a sample pack of 10 bags of Clipper Fairtrade Green Tea with Lemon. We're currently drinking a lot of green tea at home (and at work) so this will be very useful for us. 

Overall, I was pleased with the healthier selection in the January Degustabox. I'm sure there will be plenty of chocolates and savoury snacks in the future, but for now it's great to have some more balanced treats in the box. Once again, most of the products in this months box appeal to me and are ones that I would buy and use myself, especially the Mornflake Porridge, Kabuto Noodles, Haywards, and Little Miracles drinks.  

If you're a subscriber than I'd love to what you thought of the January Degustabox in the comments below.

For more details:
Degustabox website: www.degustabox.com

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DegustaboxUK
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DegustaboxUK

I received a Degustabox in order to provide an honest review.

The Chia Co Oats + Chia

In the most recent foodie surprise parcel from Degustabox, I was delighted to find a sachet of the Mixed Berry variety of The Chia Co Oats + Chia. This easy to make vegan cereal is made with Wholegrain Oats (58%), Chia Seed (13%), Coconut Sugar, Dried Mixed Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries - 10%), and Virgin Coconut Oil. Ever since I reviewed The Chia Co Chia Pods, I've been adding chia seeds when I have porridge for breakfast, so I was curious to see how this ready made version would compare. 

Inside the packet is a generous 45g portion (for comparison an Oats So Simple sachet contains 27g), that is packed full of dried fruit pieces. The instructions are very easy and simply require the addition of water. It can either be made with boiling water and left for one minute, or it can be made with cold water and microwaved for one minute.

A quick stir and the cereal is ready to eat. Chia seeds have a gel-like consistency when they are added to liquid, sometimes resulting in a "slimy" consistency, but thankfully that is not an issue in this Chia + Oats combination. The texture is smooth and creamy, with the Chia seeds simply giving it a lighter consistency compared to regular oatmeal, whilst the generous portion still ensures a satisfying and filling breakfast. The mixed berries add a lovely sweet and fruity flavour and a little crunch too. I've never actually made porridge with water before and I was surprised by just how delicious the flavour is here - very indulgent and surprisingly rich.

Overall I highly recommend The Chia Co Oats. There are two other flavours available in the range; Banana & Mango, and Apple Spice and I can't wait to give them both a try.

Grocery Gems Verdict: The Chia Co Oats + Chia

RATING: 9 out of 10.

Buy them again?: Yes. 

Nutrition: 188 calories per serving. 

Purchased: Available at Ocado.

Price: £5.00p for 5 sachets (currently on offer for £3.75p). 

Other Reviews:
The Chia Co - Chia Pods
The Chia Co - Chia Oila

Tick Tock Rooibos Vanilla Chai and Rooibos Detox Review

Rooibos tea is a delicious tea which grows in South Africa's Cedarberg mountains. It's naturally caffeine free and has a distinctive reddish brown colour. Unlike other herbal teas, it doesn't taste too "flowery" and can be enjoyed much like a regular black tea, with milk and sugar. I've always been a fan of Rooibos tea, and especially vanilla flavoured versions, such as the Waitrose Rooibos & Vanilla which I reviewed in the early days of my blog. The Tick Tock brand is one of the best and is easy to find in most supermarkets. I happened to spot a couple of varieties in a discount store and couldn't resist picking up some of the varieties I've never tried before; Rooibos Vanilla Chai and Rooibos Detox. 

I primarily bought the Rooibos Vanilla Chai for my husband as he enjoys spiced varieties of tea. Even though I like the idea of chai tea, I sometimes find the shop bought versions to be too overpowering. Luckily, that wasn't the case with the Tick Tock Vanilla Chai, the blend of spices - cinnamon, ginger and cardamom, is delicately done so as to flavour the tea without  overwhelming it. The earthy tones of the Rooibos tea base are still evident, and so is a lovely sweetness from the natural Madagascan vanilla flavour. The spices, especially the cinnamon, just add a wonderful extra warmth and depth.

Tick Tock Rooibos Detox Restore & Renew is described as being "clean, gentle and brimming with natural goodness... it's especially blended to help you get back on track". It's a combination of a Rooibos tea base with added liquorice root, fennel and lemongrass - all traditionally used to support wellbeing and digestion. The flavours did not sound particularly appealing to me but it's actually a very pleasant blend. The overall flavour is quite sweet, from the licorice root, but it's very refreshing at the same time. The sweetness did tend to leave a little aftertaste but it wasn't too cloying or overpowering. For a so-called Detox tea this is actually very nice and I''m definitely going back to buy a second box.

Grocery Gems Verdict: Tick Tock Rooibos

RATING: Vanilla Chai: 9 out of 10, Detox Restore & Renew: 8 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes to both.
Purchased: 99p Stores.
Price: £0.99p.

Other reviews you may be interested in: 
Waitrose Rooibos & Vanilla Infusion
Teapigs Winter Spiced Red Tea

Little Miracles Organic Drinks (Degustabox)

Little Miracles Organic drinks are blends of organic tea and fruit juices, full of antioxidant ingredients, that are sweetened with organic agave and free from artificial colours flavours and sweeteners. I was sent two of their drinks in this months Degustabox (see post HERE) and was keen to give them a try. I do like tea based cold drinks, like iced tea, but they're often full of nasty ingredients, and it's great that Little Miracles offer this all-natural alternative.

I received two varieties: Lemongrass Green Tea with Orange Juice, Ginger, Ginseng and Agave, and also a Green Tea with Ginseng, Pomegranate, Açai, and Agave. Both varieties surprised me with just how refreshing they are - very thirst quenching and light but still with a lovely flavour. I wasn't sure if I would like the lemongrass drink as I'm not fond of that particular ingredient, but here is provides a mild hit of citrus that is very pleasant. The flavours in the green tea with pomegranate are also quite delicate, and I like the fact that the fruity flavours are more prominent than the actual green tea. I would definitely choose these drinks again if I was out and about, I felt like they gave a real boost of hydration and energy.

Little Miracles bottles are sold in some supermarkets (they're in my local Tesco), convenience stores, gyms, delis and many other locations. You can find your local stockist here:  http://drinklittlemiracles.com/stockists

Grocery Gems Verdict: Little Miracles Organic Drinks

Rating: 9 out of 10.
But it again?: Yes.

Review: Nakd Christmas Pud

I finally found the new Nakd Christmas Pud bar in a local Sainsbury's. It's such a great sounding flavour and one that fits in perfectly with the Nakd raw fruits and nuts bar range. There is also a new Nakd Bakewell Tart bar that looks gorgeous too, but I haven't spotted that one yet - let me know if you see it anywhere! Like the rest of the Nakd bar range, the ingredients list for this Nakd Christmas Pud bar is wonderfully simple. It contains Dates (49%), Cashews (35%), and Raisins (16%), aswell as a hint of natural flavourings. Nothing else!

I've always been a fan of Nakd bars but this Christmas Pud bar has instantly become my favourite from their range. The flavour here is just spot on - it has all the spiced loveliness of a real Christmas pudding, with lots of warming cinnamon and hints of mixed spice and nutmeg. The soft and chewy texture of the bar also makes it a perfect match for the Christmas pudding flavour too. It has a light crunch and squidgey texture that is very satisfying, but without any of the bits of peel or whole raisins that Christmas puddings can have. It's similar to the real thing, but even nicer! I just loved everything about this one and I just hope that it stays around after the festive season.

Grocery Gems Verdict: Nakd Christmas Pud

RATING: 10 out of 10.
Buy It again?: Yes!
Nutrition (per 35g bar): 137 calories, 5.9g fat, 16.0g sugars.
Vegetarian: Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Purchased: Sainsbury's.
Price: £0.75p each.

Review: Slim Fruits

I was recently sent these Slim Fruits pastilles to try - a new healthier sweet from Australia. They're available in Boots, and also health food stores such as Holland & Barrett, and come in two flavours; Luscious Peach Melba and Luscious Rhubarb & Strawberry. The Slim Fruits range is sugar and fat free but also has the nutritional benefit of being made of 40% Acacia Gum, a natural soluble dietary fibre. According to Slim Fruits, this dietary fibre is not only an essential part of a healthy diet and digestive tract, it also helps create a feeling of fullness and suppresses hunger pangs. 

Take a look at the Slim Fruits website HERE for more details about their nutritional and weight management attributes.

The pastilles themselves are small disc shapes which have quite a hard texture. The texture reminds me of old fashioned Rowntree Fruit Gums or the Bach Rescue Remedy Pastilles. With the Slim Fruits, this texture is done on purpose, so that the sweet is chewed slowly and lasts longer.

Rhubarb & Strawberry: These had a lovely sweet and fruity flavour, dominated by the rhubarb rather than the strawberry. The rhubarb flavour here is just like that found in traditional rhubarb sweets and they're actually very moreish. 

Peach Melba: This one has a more delicately fruity flavour to it. The sweetness is the same but the actual peach has a softer, more dessert like, flavour. It's still a very enjoyable flavour in it's own right and it's hard to choose a favourite between the two. 

I personally can't say whether these help with weight management or not, but I can imagine they could help with anyone struggling to contain a sweet tooth. They're easy to keep in your bag or take to work and eating a few of these is better than reaching for a sweet snack. Slim Fruits recommend one portion a day of 5 Slim Fruits pastilles due to the high fibre (eating more than that can have a laxative effect), so even though these packs are quite pricey, they will last you quite a few days.

If you're tried Slim Fruits before then I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Grocery Gems Verdict: Slim Fruits

RATING: 7 out of 10.
Buy It again?: Yes!
Purchased: Available at Holland & Barrett and Boots.
Nutrition: 10 calories per 5 pastilles.
Price: £1.89 per pack (24g).

PR Samples.