Walkers Mighty Lights Review!

Walkers Mighty LightsChildren love crisps. Parents love healthy snacks. Can you see the obvious problem with those two statements? Crisps are not traditionally thought of as a healthy alternative, sure they’re made of potatoes but they’re smothered in coatings, fried and salted. It doesn’t exactly scream ‘eat me, I’m good for you!’ Walkers have done their best to try and create a snack that is both low in fat, full on flavour and appealing to kids with new Mighty Lights, but have they managed it? I was so inspired by these snacks that I made this short/silly animation with my husband, kids and musically inclined brother (we’re a creative family) all about this most heroic of nibbles!

As you can probably tell from the video we are now firm fans, but make sure to read the review to find out why. This is appropriately timed given that this is the last week of Summer holidays for children across the land (not in Scotland though, they’re already back at school) lunchbox fillers are being carefully considered during the mad dash to buy shoes and uniform.

First up here’s the stats on Mighty Lights:

  • They contain 30% less fat than standard crisps
  • They are available in three flavours – Roast Chicken, Cheese and Onion, Lightly Salted
  • All the flavours are suitable for vegetarians
  • Made from real potatoes
  • No artificial colours or preservatives
  • A source of fibre
  • Available nationwide now!

That’s enough to satisfy most of us parents, but if they don’t stack up on taste and appeal I think their healthy credentials will fall flat with the little ones.

First up Taste

I’m actually eating a bag of Lightly Salted while writing this review so I can accurately describe the taste. They don’t taste immediately healthy (perhaps a good thing as far as kids are concerned) but your fingers aren’t left with a salty oily slick or burn that traditional crisps can cause.

Lightly salted – the flavour is gentle but by no means lacking, I’m not a huge fan of Salt & Vinegar but I can happily eat these.

Cheese & Onion – I am a long time admirer of Walkers Cheese & Onion crisps, these have the same flavour but less fat… I’m sold!

Roast Chicken – Again these taste very similar to normal Walkers chicken crisps, the flavour has not been sacrificed at all.

Texture

Crunchy, ridged and in no way inferior to traditional crisps, just less greasy.

Value for Money

I found a 6 pack of Mighty Lights on sale for between £1 – £1.79 in various supermarkets, this seems in line with other brands. Some healthy crisps contain hardly anything when you look inside the bag (it’s no wonder they’re healthy, you’re barely eating them!) These contain a decent amount and are enough for one snack.

Will kids enjoy them in their lunchboxes?

I asked mine and the responses were:

Crispy G – Yes, because they’re really healthy and they are tasty and they’re the greatest crisps in the world!

Snacky I – Yes, because they are really nice and you can find different shapes (she’s referring to the heart shaped one she found below) and they’re mighty!

Munchy N – Yes, because they’re tasty!

A parents view

I’ll admit it, I don’t overly worry about the fat content of the food my kids eat, they’re all so active and skinny it’s not really an issue. However additives, preservatives and colourings are things I worry about, with so many horror stories it’s easy to get confused and concerned about the health implications. Therefore I’ll avoid them when I can and I particularly like products that make this choice easy for me. For this reason alone I like Mighty Lights, they’re also incredibly convenient for days out and picnics.

Heart Shaped CrispWould I recommend Mighty Lights

I’d be happy to, they are one simple change without sacrifice to a healthier lifestyle.

Could they be improved at all?

Most definitely, they will not be perfect until Walkers make them in Bacon flavour! 🙂

Details

Mighty Lights are available nationwide now!

For more info visit their website www.walkersmightylights.co.uk

Yar, it be new Walkers Baked Hoops & Crosses…Yar!

Ahoy me hearties, did ye know that Walkers Crisps have launched them a fine new flavoured range of snacks!? No… then let me enlighten ye 🙂 for they be low in calories, high in wholegrains and taste fine with a bottle of grog!

I apologise for the above if you are not a fan of fictional pirate(ism) or if indeed you are a fictional pirate and you can see my obvious pirate lingo fails  🙂 The sillyness does make sense I assure you.

I was recently sent a packet of brand new Walkers Baked Hoops & Crosses in Roast Beef flavour to test out. It came nestled in the arms of a cuddly monkey, who was swiftly commandeered by my littlest Monkey who is currently somewhat pirate obsessed. So these yummy new snacks were eaten in the gardens of a Regency Townhouse by a Monkey cuddling Pirate 🙂

Walkers say they created these snacks because they understand that kids can be little monkeys when it comes to snacks in their lounchboxes. New Walkers Baked Hoops & Crosses are intended to be a great-tasting, low-fat and fun way for kids to boost their wholegrain intake.

My little pirate devoured these snacks so fast I didn’t get much of a chance to try them out myself, however I was informed (at the point of a foam sword!) that they were so delicious we had to buy some more. Here’s the all important info:

  • Each Bag contains just 85 calories, so they are a fairly guilt free treat. Plus they are baked not fried!
  • They are made from Wholegrains and have no artificial colours or preservatives.
  • They come in three flavours, all of which are suitable for vegetarians (Roast Beef, Prawn Cocktail and Salt & Vinegar).

Taste

We only tried out the Roast Beef flavour, but they were really quite yummy. They had a strong flavour but I wouldn’t call it overpowering. They were crispy and non greasy and enjoyed by all the family.

Would I buy them again?

As I have already that’s a resounding yes! I’m quite happy to give them to my kids as a slightly healthier alternative to traditional crisps as an afternoon snack. Also not to be forgotten, they are a fun shape!

Plus my children inform me that Land Lubbers and Pirates alike are actually allowed to eat them 🙂