Fruit juice and dried fruit are both high in sugar. Why are they being encouraged as healthy snack options?
The new standards aim to improve children’s diets, and fruit juice and dried fruit provide healthier alternatives to sugary soft drinks and crisps, chocolate and sweets. Both fruit juice and dried fruit contain important nutrients (e.g. antioxidants, vitamins) and so they are useful foods for schools to offer. However it is also important to be aware that dried fruit and fruit juices contain sugars, and consuming sugary food and drinks too often contributes to dental decay. Therefore individual schools may decide to offer these items at mealtimes only, and offer other alternatives such as water and fresh fruit as snacks during the rest of the school day.
