For a low-fat late supper, compare the fat figure on the exact product, then check sugars and energy for the amount you plan to eat. Fruit in juice is a useful starting point if you want to avoid added sugar, provided you check the ingredients; light syrup is a choice when you deliberately want a sweeter packing liquid. Princes Food and Drinks lists both its juice and light-syrup fruit cocktails at less than 0.1g fat per 100g, but the syrup version lists more sugars and energy.
If you want fruit for a late supper instead of a dessert made with cream or pastry, check the fat figure on the tin. Packing liquid still matters: the Princes Food and Drinks fruit cocktails in juice and light syrup differ in sugars and energy despite having the same listed fat figure.
If you are deciding between juice and syrup, compare the exact variants rather than relying on the word “light”. Princes Food and Drinks lists fewer sugars and less energy per 100g for its fruit cocktail in juice than for its light-syrup version.
If you only want one serving, a smaller fruit pot may be more convenient than opening a larger can. For a can, check the stated servings and follow its instructions for storing what remains.
For a late supper, decide whether fat content, sugars from the packing liquid or the amount left after serving is your main concern.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Read fat per 100g on the exact product, then check sugars and energy separately. | If I want a dessert with little fat, I would check that figure before deciding whether its sweetness suits me; about 33% of consumers put fat content first. |
| Sugars and energy | Check the packing liquid and ingredients, then compare sugars and energy per 100g and for your serving. | When choosing between juice and syrup, I want to know what the packing liquid adds to my portion; about 42% of consumers make sugars and energy their primary concern. |
| Portions and leftovers | Look at pack size, stated servings and storage instructions after opening. | If I only want fruit for one late supper, I would rather plan the serving than leave an opened can unused; portion size and leftovers come first for about 25% of consumers. |
Princes Food and Drinks lists less than 0.1g fat per 100g for both its fruit cocktails in juice and light syrup. The juice version lists 9.0g sugars and 39kcal per 100g; the light-syrup version lists 15.0g sugars and 63kcal.
Compare the figures on the same per-100g basis, then check what they mean for the serving you intend to eat.
The Princes Food and Drinks light-syrup fruit cocktail lists sugar among its ingredients, while its juice-packed counterpart lists fruit, grape juice from concentrate and water.
If avoiding added sugar matters to you, check the ingredients of the specific tin rather than relying on its front-of-pack wording. The NHS advises choosing canned fruit in natural juice or water with no added sugar.
Storage instructions differ by product. Sainsbury’s peach slices and M&S grapefruit segments instruct shoppers to refrigerate the fruit after opening and use it within two days; Tesco’s listing for Nature’s Finest mandarins gives three days.
Consider a smaller pack for one serving. If you open a can, follow its instructions for transferring, refrigerating and using the remainder.
Its fruit cocktails in juice and light syrup offer a direct comparison when the packing liquid drives your choice.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s list Del Monte tinned-fruit options, including fruit in juice.
Tesco’s tinned-fruit listings include standard cans and smaller multipacks for comparing serving formats.
Its tinned-fruit listings include fruit in juice and alternatives in syrup.
Grapefruit segments in grapefruit juice are one option if you prefer a sharper-tasting fruit.
These fruit-in-juice options cover smaller pots and cans for a late supper. Compare each pack’s current nutrition panel and serving size if keeping fat low is your main reason for buying.
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The four individual pots offer a defined pack format when you want one serving at a time. Check the current nutrition panel and ingredients if fat, sugars or sweeteners affect your choice.
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This smaller can may suit someone who wants peaches in juice without opening a larger tin. Check the current pack for a numerical fat figure and for instructions if you keep any fruit after opening.
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Choose this format if pineapple chunks in juice appeal to you and you can plan how much of the can to serve. Check the current pack’s per-serving nutrition figures before using them to assess a late-supper portion.
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This mixed-fruit can suits a supper where you would prefer a fruit cocktail to a single fruit. Decide on your portion from the pack information, and check the current ingredients if particular fruits or additives matter to you.
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Pear halves in juice offer a single-fruit alternative to a mixed fruit cocktail. If you only want part of the can, check the current pack for serving and leftover-storage instructions.
Yes, a syrup-packed product can have little fat: Princes Food and Drinks lists less than 0.1g per 100g for its Fruit Cocktail in Light Syrup. It lists 15.0g sugars and 63kcal per 100g, compared with 9.0g sugars and 39kcal for its Fruit Cocktail with Juice, so check those figures separately.
Yes. The NHS says 80g of canned fruit and vegetables counts as one portion, and advises choosing canned fruit in natural juice or water with no added sugar or salt. Check the amount of fruit you serve rather than assuming a whole can is one portion.
Follow the instructions on the specific pack. Sainsbury’s peach slices and M&S grapefruit segments instruct shoppers to transfer the fruit to a non-metallic container, refrigerate it and use it within two days; Tesco’s listing for Nature’s Finest mandarins says to refrigerate after opening and consume within three days.