The 9 best 'picky bits' from Marks & Spencer's deli aisle for your health (and the 7 worst, including one that scored ZERO in analysis)
The M&S Food Hall sells a whopping 70 million tubs of picky bits and dips every year, which is probably not surprising given that's where we head to stock up every time there's a picnic, long train ride or garden gathering in the diary.
However, if you're trying to eat healthily, then that M&S '3 for £8' deal could certainly lead you to temptation – and it's not always obvious which of the picky bits are good for you, and which could be full of salt or saturated fat.
With this in mind, we took on the important investigative job of trying a whole load of picky bits from the Marks & Spencer shelves, and analysed them using the trusty Yuka app (which ranks foods out of 100 based on nutrients, calorific content, harmful additives and so on, with 100 being the best possible score). Here's what we found…
THE M&S PICKY BITS THAT ARE BEST FOR YOUR HEALTH…
Dressed Giant Butterbeans
Overall score: 90/100
Positives: Excellent amount of fibre (5g per 100g), high percentage of vegetables and some protein.
Negatives: None identified.
Marinated Flame Seared Red and Yellow Peppers
Overall score: 90/100
Positives: Excellent quantity of vegetables (96%), low in calories (27 calories per 100g).
Negatives: None identified.
Chargrilled Artichokes
Positives: Excellent quantity of vegetables (81%), and a source of protein and fibre.
Negatives: Too much salt (1.75g per 100g).
Chargrilled Calamari Rings
Overall score: 76/100
Positives: Excellent amount of protein (20g per 100g) and low calories, sugar and saturates.
Negatives: Too much salt (1.88g per 100g).
Ploughmans Pot
Overall score: 76/100
Positives: A source of protein and fibre, low on sugar and salt.
Negatives: A little too fatty (4g saturates per 100g).
Dressed Salsa Verde Chickpeas
Overall score: 75/100
Positives: Excellent quantity of vegetables, a source of protein and fibre, plus low in saturates and sugar.
Negatives: Too much salt (0.93g per 100g).
Moroccan Style Lentils With Feta
Overall score: 75/100
Positives: Excellent quantity of vegetables (86%) and some protein.
Negatives: 'Risky additive' idenfitied by Yuka.
Basil King Prawns and Tomatoes
Overall score: 66/100
Positives: Excellent amount of protein (11.2g per 100g) and low in saturates.
Negatives: A bit too much salt (1.45g per 100g).
Marinated Pickled Cauliflower Florets
Positives: Low in calories, sugar and saturates, and a reasonable source of fibre.
Negatives: A bit too much salt (1.58g per 100g).
AND THE WORST…
Cherry Peppers with Cream Cheese
Overall score: 48/100
Negatives: A little too fatty (4.3g saturates per 100g) and 'risky additives' identified by Yuka.
Positives: Good quantity of vegatables and some protein (4.7g per 100g).
Greek Olives with Garlic, Pimento and Jalapeno
Overall score: 39/100
Negatives: Too much salt (4g per 100g).
Positives: Low on sugar and saturates.
100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil crisps
Overall score: 39/100
Negatives: Too calorific (523 calories per 100g), plus too much fat and salt.
Positives: Some protein, some fibre and low in sugar.
Whipped Spicy Nacho Cheddar Dip
Overall score: 33/100
Negatives: High in saturated fat (16g per 100g)
Positives: Excellent amount of protein, and low in salt.
Green Herby Feta Dip
Overall score: 32/100
Negatives: Too much sodium and saturates, plus a bit too calorific (366 calories per 100g).
Positives: Some protein, low in sugar.
Serrano Ham and Manchego Rollitos
Overall score: 30/100
Negatives: Too fatty (17.6g saturates per 100g) and too much salt (2.5g per 100g).
Positives: Excellent amount of protein (26g per 100g).
Chorizo and Chilli Cheddar Rollitos
Overall score: 0/100
Negatives: Highly calorific (381g per 100g), too much fat (19.2g per 100g) and too salty (2.48g per 100g).
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