For fat-conscious shoppers, plain raisins and apricots are worth comparing with coated dried fruit before looking for a reduced-fat claim: the Tesco and Whitworths plain-fruit labels list little fat per serving, while Whitworths Yogurt Coated Raisins list 19.2g per 100g. Fat is not the only consideration, though. The NHS advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than as a between-meal snack to reduce tooth-decay risk, so fresh fruit is an alternative for a separate elevenses break.
If fat is your main product criterion, distinguish plain fruit from coated varieties. Tesco’s portioned raisin labels and Whitworths’ apricot label list little fat per serving; Whitworths’ yogurt-coated raisins have a different fat profile.
A small box gives you a defined amount to carry instead of eating from a larger pack. It does not change the NHS advice to have dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals.
Apricots, coated fruit and mixes can have different ingredient declarations. Check the particular pack for sulphites and, where relevant, milk, soya or other stated allergens rather than relying on the words “dried fruit”.
Decide whether elevenses is a separate snack or part of a meal, then compare the serving size and the particular product’s nutrition and ingredients.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and coatings | Compare fat on the same per-100g basis and look for coatings in the ingredients. Tesco Seedless Raisins 12 Pack lists 0.4g fat per 100g; Whitworths Yogurt Coated Raisins list 19.2g per 100g. | If fat content drives my choice, I want to know whether I am comparing plain fruit with a coated product. |
| Sugars and portion | Read sugars alongside the serving size. Tesco Seedless Raisins 12 Pack lists 8.4g sugars per 14g box; Tesco Goodness Mini Raisins lists 9.7g per 14g serving. The NHS counts 30g of dried fruit as one 5 A Day portion. | A small box helps me see how much I have taken, but I still want to check its sugars. |
| Time of eating | The NHS advises having dried fruit at mealtimes, not as a between-meal snack, to reduce tooth-decay risk. | For a break between meals, I would rather consider fresh fruit than assume a low-fat dried-fruit pack settles the choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current pack’s ingredients and allergen declarations. Whitworths Favourites Apricots lists sulphur dioxide; its Yogurt Coated Raisins list milk and soya. | If an ingredient matters to me, I need to check the exact variety, including any relevant may-contain wording. |
Tesco’s plain 14g raisin servings list 8.4g or 9.7g sugars, depending on the product. The NHS also advises keeping dried fruit to mealtimes to reduce tooth-decay risk.
Compare sugars and serving sizes as well as fat. If elevenses falls between meals, consider fresh fruit instead.
Whitworths Yogurt Coated Raisins list 19.2g fat per 100g, while Tesco Seedless Raisins 12 Pack lists 0.4g per 100g. A coating changes what the pack contains.
If fat is your main criterion, check whether the fruit is plain or coated before comparing the nutrition panels.
Whitworths Favourites Apricots contains sulphur dioxide, while its Yogurt Coated Raisins contain milk and soya. The Food Standards Agency notes that sulphites are often used in dried fruit.
Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any may-contain statement on the specific pack you intend to buy.
Tesco’s labelled raisin products provide examples of both small boxes and a larger bag.
Whitworths’ raisin, apricot and coated-raisin labels show why the variety matters more than the brand name alone.
Sunsweet is a prune-focused reference if you want to compare prunes with raisins or apricots.
These Joybuy options include portioned raisins and other dried-fruit formats, as well as larger packs to portion yourself. For a separate elevenses snack, keep the NHS mealtime advice in mind when deciding whether dried fruit suits the occasion.
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The 12 x 14g format gives you individually sized raisin portions to plan around a meal. Check the pack’s sugars and ingredients when comparing it with other raisins.
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These pitted prunes offer a non-raisin choice in a 500g pack. Compare the stated serving, sugars and ingredient list with any smaller-format option you are considering.
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The 20g pack is a defined amount of dried dragon fruit. Read its nutrition and allergen declarations if you are choosing it instead of a familiar raisin pack.
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This 700g prunes format is better considered for portioning at home than for carrying as a single elevenses serving. Check the pack’s ingredients and storage instructions before choosing it.
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The 280g pack offers pitted red dates rather than raisins or prunes. If you want a defined amount at a meal, portion some out instead of relying on the pack size to set a serving.
Not necessarily for the products compared here: Tesco Seedless Raisins 12 Pack lists 0.4g fat per 100g, and Whitworths Favourites Apricots lists 0.2g per 30g serving. Check the particular pack, especially if the fruit is coated or mixed with other ingredients.
The NHS advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals because it can stick to teeth and increase tooth-decay risk. If elevenses is a separate snack, consider fresh fruit instead of treating a low fat figure as the only deciding factor.
The NHS says 30g of dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion. That measure does not replace checking a product’s sugars, ingredients or the advice to eat dried fruit at mealtimes.
Yes, if sulphites are relevant to your choice. The Food Standards Agency says sulphur dioxide and sulphites are often used in dried fruit, and Whitworths Favourites Apricots lists sulphur dioxide. Check the ingredients on the specific pack.
No. Whitworths Yogurt Coated Raisins lists 19.2g fat per 100g and contains milk and soya, while Tesco Seedless Raisins 12 Pack lists 0.4g fat per 100g. Compare equivalent amounts and read the coated product’s full allergen declaration.