Campers comparing fat values
If you want dried fruit that needs no cooking, compare fat per 100g and read the ingredients. Nut-and-fruit mixes need a separate check; they are not the same as plain dried fruit.
Who is this for?
Campers watching added sugar
A low fat value does not tell you how much sugar a portion contains or whether sugar has been added. Check both the nutrition panel and ingredients. NHS guidance treats 30g of dried fruit as one 5 A Day portion and advises having it at mealtimes.
Groups with allergen requirements
Check the particular pack, even when the product looks like plain fruit. The M&S dried pineapple and ASDA Three Raisin Mix examples carry sulphites and additional nut-related warnings.
What should you check?
Start with the nutrition panel, then check whether the ingredients, allergens and after-opening directions work for your trip.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | Compare fat per 100g on like-for-like products. Read the ingredients to distinguish plain fruit from nut-and-fruit mixes. | I want to keep the fat value low without assuming that every pack labelled dried fruit has the same ingredients. |
| Sugars | Read total sugars per serving as well as any no-added-sugar statement. Check for sugar, syrup or sweetened fruit in the ingredients. | A low-fat option may still contain substantial sugars. If I want fruit without added sugar, I need to check more than the fat figure. |
| Storage | Check directions for both unopened and opened packs. Match the pack size and any refrigeration instruction to the length of the trip. | Without dependable chilling, I need to know whether I can follow the opened pack’s storage directions. The Food Standards Agency suggests considering predominantly dry foods when adequate food storage is not possible. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and product-specific allergen warnings, including sulphites and possible nut or peanut contact. | Someone in my group may need to avoid an ingredient or cross-contact warning, so I will check the exact variant before packing it. |
Common buying mistakes
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Treating trail mix as plain dried fruit
Added nuts change the comparison: the Joybuy BE&CHEERY mixed nuts and dried fruits product lists 58.9g fat per 100g.
For a low-fat preference, compare fat per 100g and check whether fruit or nuts make up the mix.
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Assuming low fat means low sugar
ASDA Seedless Raisins list 21g sugars per 30g, while Sainsbury’s Mixed Dried Fruit lists 22.2g per 30g and includes candied peel made with syrup and sugar.
Compare total sugars for the portion you plan to pack, and inspect the ingredients if avoiding added sugar matters to you.
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Ignoring directions after opening
Storage instructions differ: Tesco’s Sunsweet prune listing says to refrigerate after opening, while M&S says to eat its dried pineapple within three days of opening.
Choose a pack size you can manage during the trip and follow its own storage directions.
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Grazing from a large bag between meals
NHS guidance advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes to reduce tooth-decay risk.
Consider packing a 30g portion with a meal; the NHS counts that amount as one 5 A Day portion.
Brand and retailer examples
These examples show why the exact product label matters more than the brand name alone.
Sunsweet
Tesco’s Sunsweet Stoned Prunes listing offers a no-added-sugar prune example.
- Tesco lists 0g fat and 7.1g fibre per 100g.
- The listing says to refrigerate after opening, which needs planning on a trip without chilling.
Whitworths
Its Fantastic Flame Raisins provide a raisin example for comparing nutrition and storage directions.
- An ASDA listing gives 1.0g fat per 100g.
- The same listing says to refrigerate after opening and consume within two weeks.
ASDA
Its own-label raisins show how ingredients and warnings can differ between similar-looking packs.
- ASDA lists 1.2g fat per 100g for Seedless Raisins and less than 0.5g per 100g for Three Raisin Mix.
- The Three Raisin Mix contains sulphites and may contain peanuts and nuts.
Sainsbury’s
Its Mixed Dried Fruit is an example to inspect when variety matters.
- Sainsbury’s lists less than 0.5g fat per 30g serving.
- The mix includes candied peel made with glucose-fructose syrup and sugar, so it does not suit a fruit-only preference.
M&S
Its Dried Pineapple is described by M&S as 100% fruit with no added sugars.
- M&S lists 0.4g fat per 100g.
- It contains sulphites, carries nut, peanut and sesame allergy warnings, and should be eaten within three days of opening.
Tesco
Tesco’s dried-fruit range includes several fruit types, but each product needs its own label check.
- Its range includes prunes, raisins, sultanas and dates.
- Directions for one product, such as the Sunsweet prunes, should not be assumed to apply to another.
Dried-fruit options on Joybuy
These options include raisins, prunes and freeze-dried peach in different pack sizes. Compare each pack’s nutrition, ingredients and storage directions for your camping plans.
No image availableOrganix Goodies Raisins 12+ Months, 12 x 14g
The twelve 14g portions may be convenient when you want to pack individual servings. Check the pack’s nutrition and allergen information for your group.
No image availableJ.ZAO Prebiotic Pitted Chilean Prunes 500g, Individually Wrapped
Individual wrapping may make it easier to take some of this 500g pack on a trip. Check the ingredients if you want fruit only, and follow the storage directions on the pack.
No image availableWhitworths Snacking Prunes 190g
The 190g pouch is an alternative to a larger prune pack. Check how it should be stored after opening; if allergies are relevant, read the allergen statement on the actual pack.
No image availableMorrisons Dried Pitted Prunes 500g
Consider whether a 500g bag suits the length of your trip and how you will store it once opened. Despite the pitted description, the product information warns that small stone fragments may occasionally remain.
No image availableFrula Freeze Dried Fruits Peach 10g
The 10g peach pack is worth considering when pack size matters, though it may not cover more than one small serving. Check its nutrition panel and after-opening directions before the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Does low fat mean dried fruit is low in sugar?
No. ASDA Three Raisin Mix lists less than 0.5g fat per 100g but 23g sugars per approximately 33g serving. Compare fat and total sugars using the measures shown on each pack, and check ingredients for added sugar or syrup.
How much dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion?
The NHS says 30g of dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion. It advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce tooth-decay risk.
Can I pack dried fruit without a cool box?
Check the directions for the particular product, especially after opening. The Food Standards Agency suggests considering predominantly dry foods when adequate storage is not possible, but Tesco’s Sunsweet prune listing says to refrigerate after opening, while M&S says to eat its dried pineapple within three days of opening.
Do plain-looking dried fruits need an allergen check?
Yes. M&S Dried Pineapple lists sulphites and carries nut, peanut and sesame allergy warnings; ASDA Three Raisin Mix contains sulphites and may contain peanuts and nuts. Read the warning on the exact pack you intend to bring.