Delicious Snacks

I believe that everyone has got among the little pleasures in life, that moment when we have a break and we have a treat either sweet or savoury. The snack market has been on the up for a long time and as well as the usual crisps and pop corn in classic flavours, more combinations have come out. Also little snacks that you can pop in a bag and eat them when some energy is needed are very popular. I have found some intriguing snacks. Some are quite mainstream but others are very singular and delicious too.

Let's start with something  indulgent like this bag of drizzled milk chocolate pop corn by The Gourmet Chocolate Pizza Company. Just think of toffee popcorn with added Belgian milk chocolate. The best companion for the perfect movie night. www.gourmetchocolatepizza.co.uk

With these Growers Garden broccoli crisps even children who notoriously avoid the green vegetable, will have a hit, because they are absolutely delicious.  Available in plain, or with cheese, or with sour cream and chives or chilli, they are 100 % natural, gluten free, vegan and high in fibre. They are available mainly in small deli shops, Dobbies and many other outlets. Look for them on their website. www.growers-gardem.com

Having a bag of nuts is the snack of choice for the fashion people during fashion week.  This Dutch company, Bites We Love makes  fantastic  snacks  mixing dry fruits and spices and any sort of nuts in their bags and the name are very cheeky. Just think of Chili con Karma sweet and spicy, or Pecan Boo, bittersweet with cranberry, pecans and dark chocolate. Check them out at www.biteswelove.nl

Want to snack but feeling guilty that it is not healthy or because you are on a diet? Look no further than Forest Feast, where these bags of delicious snacks cater for any taste and they are vegetarian friendly. I loved the dry mango, but it is quite difficult to make a choice because you would want to buy everything. Dry banana coated in dark chocolate is to die for. www.forestfeast.com

We like our crisps and with Pipers you will never be disappointed. The flavours are very creative and I singled out the Wild Thyme and Rosemary and the Cheddar and Onion crisps. All the ingredients that go in the flavours are sourced sustainably, like the herbs in the thyme and rosemary where growers pick  only a certain amount per week, while the cheddar comes from Cheddar. www.piperscrisps.com

The Pic's Peanut Butter Slug is perfect to have it in your bag, while doing sport like running and you need a pick me up. The packet contains 30 grams  of smooth peanut butter that before being eaten just need a bit of a squeeze and knead to make it perfect, and then slug away. Tesco is among the retailers that stocks this product. www.picspeanutbutter.com

Kate Percy's Go Bites snack balls are very popular and can be seen in any health shop but also at main supermarket. They are made of dried fruit, oats and nuts, also they are gluten free and Coeliac UK approved because they are also wheat, egg and dairy free making them perfect for vegan too. www.go-bites.com

This snack is very singular and I find it extraordinary because it pairs the problem of food waste with sustainability. Sea Chips is made using the salmon skin often wasted and it is a very nutrient source of Omega 3 and Protein.  They are available just lightly salted, salt and vinegar and lime and chilli. Available in some selected Sainsbury's, Whole Food Market and many independent retailers  as well as Harrods and Fenwick. Also 10 % of profit is donated to charities that look after the oceans. www.sea-chips.co.uk

Who doesn't love snacking on peanuts when watching a movie or with a glass of Spritz? Mr Filbert's has got an excellent range of flavoured nuts ranging from spicy, with herbs, and not just peanuts but also cashew nuts, almonds, hazelnuts. Among the great choice I've picked this Limited Edition Adnams Ghost Ship Peanuts, flavoured with Adnams Ghost Ship Ale. The sweet and salty glazed peanuts are just delicious and impossible to stop until you see the bottom of the bag, or the bowl. www.mrfilberts.com

Tortillas, I could heat the whole bag in no time, especially dipped in salsa or guacamole...or both. The Gran Luchito Mexican Tortillas are slightly salted, so you just got a hint of saltiness and you can savour the full taste of corn. Also they are gluten free, dairy free, no added sugar and suitable for vegans. Gran Luchito has got also a nice range of dips and other ingredients for a Mexican feast and you can find them at Tesco, Waitrose, Sainbury's as well as at Whole Food Market, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols Food Halls and independent stores. www.gran.luchito.com

Ape Coconut snacks are incredibly scrumptious and healthy too. If you expect a sweet snack don't be fooled by the fact that there is coconut. They are savoury snacks  and depending on the flavour they can be suitable for vegans too like the lightly salted puffs, the chilli ones, even the cheese ones are vegan. They are sold practically everywhere from Asda to Boots, to Holland & Barrett and other supermarkets. www.apesnacks.com

If you are wondering, this is not the usual seaweed snack that you can find in oriental shops and sushi fast food. The Sea Man Seaweed Chips by Heine Max Olesen  are completely different. It is a potato and seaweed based snack with intriguing flavours like squid and black pepper, or lobster and paprika or just sea salt. It comes from Denmark and for now stockists are mainly in Scandinavia but maybe if we start craving for them some buyers might import them to UK. Or if you happen to be in Denmark check the website to see the stockists and buy some to bring home. www.seamanchips.com

Pork scratchings are having a new life and from humble pub snack it is now a very cool product and many producers are coming up with new ideas and nice packaging. The Garlic Farm in the Isle of Wight is among them. Its pork scratchings are flavoured with its famous garlic and double roasted. Also available with garlic and chilli flavour for that extra kick. www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk

Can't decide between crisps and pop corn? Try the Corners, a snack which is popped corn crisps with delicious flavours like sweet chilli, cheddar and onion, and the veggie ones made with chickpeas, beetroot and peas. Also they are gluten free, low in fat and calories and natural with no artificial ingredients. Look for them at WH Smith, Ocado, Sainsbury's  among other retailers. www.gftretail.com

Having a wrapped snack in your bag makes you feel  "safe", because it can happen to need some energy while on the go or also at work, a moment of boredom and in need of a treat. The Primal Joy snacks are delicious and healthy. The Paleo Bar Coconut tastes like coconut and it is scrumptious while the Pudding Bar Fig & Orange tastes like Christmas. Most of the ingredients are organic and natural. www.primaljoy.co.uk

Marmite, you either love it or hate it. I love it and Joe & Seph's made me very happy with their gourmet caramel popcorn coated in Marmite that has that savoury and sweet taste for a truly indulgent snack. It is suitable for vegetarians and also gluten and dairy free. www.joeandsephs.co.uk

I love the chewiness of the energy balls, Deliciously Ella has got a great range of natural and healthy products and Energy Balls have a top spot in selection. I can't really choose my favourite because I like them all for one way to another one. They are all gluten free and vegan friendly and their colourful wraps make it very handy to pop a couple in your bag to take with  you on a long day out and about. www.deliciouslyella.com