Gluten Free Stem Ginger Oat Biscuits - 160g - Nairn's

It's time our kids go back to school! If you are looking for healthy snacks that are perfect for taking to school or after school, then this short list is for you. Eating healthy snacks can benefit your children in many ways. These healthy snacks will help your kids grow, develop and learn. To make your life easier, you can buy healthy snacks online and fill up your pantry with nuts, dried fruits, seeds, popcorn and dark chocolate. This way, you will always have some healthy snacks at hand. Popcorn Popcorn is a whole grain that is low in fat and rich in complex carbohydrates, making it a perfect snack for kids (if you don't add butter and salt). Corn has excellent health benefits for children. It contains a lot of dietary fibre, essential vitamins and minerals. High fibre improves digestion, helps avoid constipation, and stimulates digestive juices' secretion, keeping the bowels healthy. Popcorn also contains a good quantity of iron and calcium, manganese and phosphorous, which are vital for maintaining healthy bones and the functioning of cells. Additionally, corn is loaded with B vitamins, including vitamins B3, B6, pantothenic and folate acid, which are great for the brain and mood. Popcorn contains carotenoid antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein that help protect eye health. Nuts A handful of organic nuts or a serving of as little as 30g daily can benefit your kids in many ways. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, macadamias and Brazil nuts are loaded with nutrients, protein and fibre to help children thrive and are an excellent fuel for the brain. In general, all kinds of nuts offer amazing health benefits, but every kind of nuts can also offer something special including preventing depression and anxiety. Walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and DHA, which help fight inflammation. They contain twice as many antioxidants as other nuts, which improve cognitive functioning. Hazelnuts, almonds, pecans and macadamia nuts are heart-healthy. Almonds help improve your kid's memory. Pistachios are rich in oils that help preserve fatty acids and prevent inflammation. Macadamias also help in normal brain functioning. Dark chocolate Dark chocolate is a very healthy snack when consumed in moderation. It contains powerful antioxidants and flavonoids. Flavonoids improve blood flow to the brain, which can significantly improve memory and brain functioning. Veggies and Fruits Fresh vegetables are an obvious healthy snack. Packed with vitamins, they contain everything your children need to grow and develop in the right way. Dried fruits can be an excellent replacement for fresh fruits due to their longer shelf life. They contain all the nutrients of fruits but can last longer in your pantry. Your kids will love dried fruits like cranberries, dried apricots, cranberries, dates and figs.

Raisins. Those small but tasty fruits that are full of sweet and juicy flavour, in fact, one could describe them as nature’s very own candy! They are featured in many traditional British baking recipes, but can also be used in savoury dishes, along with being a quick and healthy snack. But what even are they and are raisins any good for you? And what’s the difference between raisins and sultanas? Well, we have the answers for you right here in this very article. Read on raisin fans! How Are Raisins Made? Raisins are in fact dried grapes. The grapes can be dried either by the sun or by a mechanical process, which results in what we call, raisins. These dried fruits are produced and eaten all over the world. The drying process affects the shape, sizes, colours, and flavours. You may wonder why it is then that raisins don’t actually taste like grapes, considering most dried fruits still taste like their fresh counterparts. This is possibly because the drying process concentrates the sugar content in the fruit. As grapes ripen there is also a flavour progression. Raisins probably came to exist entirely by accident. It is said they were likely discovered in prehistoric times when some grapes were accidentally left out and dried in the sun. Some curious growers decided to try the wrinkled fruit and enjoyed the sweetness of them - What a tasty mishap! Guess everything happens for a raisin 😉 Different Types of Raisins There are many different varieties of raisins out there, but here are some of the most popular and well known types, and the differences between them - Raisins The most famous guys on this list are the standard raisin. They are a type of grape that has been dried for around three weeks. As the grapes dry the begin to darken in colour, which is what gives raisins their dark brown colour. Raisins are generally made from the Thompson Seedless variety. However, in Australia, raisins are made exclusively from larger grape varieties including Muscat, Lexia, and Waltham Cross. Standard raisins are typically larger than sultanas and currants, they are dark in colour, have a soft texture, a sweet flavour. Sultanas Sultanas are made from green seedless grapes, usually the Thompson Seedless variety. Unlike raisins, sultanas are usually coated in an oil-based solution prior to drying to speed up the process. For this reason, they are often lighter in colour than raisins and currants. Sultanas are typically smaller than raisins and are sweeter, juicer and lighter in colour than both raisins and currants. Currants Currants, also referred to as “Zante currants,” are tiny, dried grapes. Despite their name, currants are actually made by drying a variety of small, seedless grapes called Black Corinth and Carina. Currants, much like raisins, are dried for up to three weeks. Because of their small size, they have a sweet, tangy, and intense flavour and add texture and sweetness to both sweet and savoury dishes. Health Benefits of Raisins So now we know what they are, are raisins actually good for you? Well good news for the raisin lovers, there are actually many health benefits to be had by including them in your diet. Firstly, raisins contain higher levels of antioxidants in comparison to other dried fruits. The process in which they are dried also helps to preserves these antioxidants, more so than in fresh grapes. Raisins contain iron, which may aid in cardiovascular health. They’re also a good source of potassium, copper, manganese, and vitamin b6. Raisins have a good amount of calcium, which benefits bone health, and they contain the mineral, boron. Boron helps in maintaining good bone and joint health, can improve wound healing, and may improve cognitive performance. Raisins are also a rich source of soluble fibre, which helps the digestive system and can reduces stomach problems. They also contain tartaric acid. which may have anti-inflammatory properties, can improve intestinal function, and aid in regulating the balance of bacteria in your gut.

The landscape of the British school canteen is about to change. Following a recent report from BBC, the UK government has announced a significant crackdown on the quality of food served to our children. High-sugar snacks and deep-fried products are being phased out in an urgent bid to tackle the rising rates of childhood obesity and improve the nation’s long-term health. At Whole Food Earth, we believe this shift is more than just a policy change—it is a vital step toward reclaiming the nutritional integrity of the food our children eat every day. What is Changing on the School Menu? The new guidelines are designed to strip away the "empty calories" that have become staples in many school dinners. The key changes include: A Ban on High-Sugar Drinks: Removing sugary sodas and juice drinks that spike blood glucose levels. Limiting Deep-Fried Foods: Restricting items like chips and battered products to no more than twice a week. Reduced Sugar Content: A concerted effort to lower the sugar levels in puddings and snacks served during the school day. While these measures are a positive start, they highlight a larger conversation we’ve been having in the Whole Food Earth community: the need to move away from Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF) and back to the "Bioavailable Pantry." Why the "Deep-Fried" Era is Ending For decades, convenience has dictated the school menu. Deep-fat frying is fast and cheap, but it often relies on highly refined seed oils that are prone to oxidation and inflammation. When combined with high-sugar snacks, it creates a "craveability" cycle that contributes to childhood obesity and dental decay. By removing these industrial shortcuts, the government is acknowledging what we have always championed: children need real, whole ingredients to thrive. When we replace a deep-fried nugget with a slow-release grain or a sugary drink with pure hydration, we aren't just "cutting calories"—we are providing the body with the building blocks it needs for cognitive focus and steady energy. From School Canteen to Home Kitchen: Bridging the Gap The government’s initiative is a great baseline, but the real "food revolution" happens in our own pantries. If schools are cutting out the junk, how can we as parents and caregivers reinforce these habits at home? 1. Swap Synthetic Sweeteners for Whole Fruits Instead of processed desserts, use nature’s own sweeteners. Our Organic Date Paste or Lucuma Powder offers a low-GI alternative for home baking, providing sweetness alongside essential fibre and minerals. 2. Move Away from Refined Oils If the goal is to avoid the "deep-fryer" trap, look toward healthy fats. Roasting vegetables or proteins in stable fats or using Organic Rapeseed Oil provides flavour without the inflammatory profile of industrial oils. 3. Embrace Nutrient-Dense Staples The best way to fight obesity is to ensure meals are satiating. Incorporating high-protein, high-fibre staples like Quinoa, Red Lentils, or Organic Oats ensures that children stay fuller for longer, reducing the urge to reach for high-sugar snacks between meals. The Whole Food Earth Perspective: Food as an Insurance Policy The Sky News report is a wake-up call for the UK's food system. However, we shouldn't wait for government legislation to improve our children’s health. By choosing single-ingredient, non-UPF staples, you are creating a "nutritional insurance policy" for your family. Whether it’s a teaspoon of Green Kale Powder powder in a morning smoothie or a batch of home-baked snacks made with Wholemeal Spelt Flour, every small change helps move the needle away from industrial processing and back toward the earth. Are you ready to join the revolution? Explore our Stock & Prep range to find the organic staples you need to build a high-integrity kitchen that goes far beyond the school canteen.