During the summer break, children typically request snacks about 11 times a day and consume more than 40 percent additional added sugar compared to the school term. With many parents seeking healthier options amid concerns over high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) content, a dietitian has evaluated a range of popular and so-called "better-for-you" sweets to help guide choices.

Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a registered dietitian, has reviewed several confectionery items, rating each based on their nutritional profiles and ingredient quality. Among premium candy options, Candy Kittens Wild Strawberry scored a moderate three out of five. This product contains fruit juice and avoids artificial colors and flavors but remains largely made up of sugar. Similarly, Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles received a three out of five rating, as they continue to have high sugar content despite marketing themselves as "natural."

Some sweets made entirely from fruit fared better in the assessment. Bear Fruit YoYos Strawberry, which consists solely of fruit and contributes to one of the recommended five portions of daily fruit and vegetables, earned a four out of five. This option also provides dietary fiber, though it still contains natural sugars. Natural Confectionery Jelly Snakes and Monster Islands Sour Seas likewise scored four out of five, with the latter praised for using organic ingredients, being vegan-friendly, and free from artificial colors and flavors. However, both remain sweets with reduced sugar but should still be treated as occasional indulgences.

Sugar-free options such as Werther’s Original Sugar-Free variety rated three out of five. These sweets use polyols as sweeteners, which can help reduce sugar intake but may cause digestive discomfort like bloating if consumed in excess. Similarly, Haribo Starmix Mini Bags were rated five out of five, primarily due to manageable portion sizes, although these sweets still contain significant sugar and are recommended as occasional treats.

One notable product highlighted was the Reduced Sugar Percy Pigs, which contain about one-third less sugar than the original version and include more fiber. This product received a four out of five rating but remains a confectionery item best enjoyed in moderation.

Overall, Ludlam-Raine emphasized that no sweet should be considered genuinely healthy. She recommended that confectionery items be consumed infrequently and in controlled portions to limit added sugar intake, particularly during the summer when children’s snacking habits tend to increase significantly.