Choose traditional aniseed sprinkles if you mainly want an aniseed-flavoured topping: according to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contains 79 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t suitable if you’re looking to choose a lower-sugar option. If you want less sugar, compare a different type of sprinkles or choose a separate snack. Check the sugars per 100 g, your portion size, any polyols and allergens.
You want to keep the flavour and sprinkling convenience of aniseed sprinkles, while choosing less sugar. Traditional aniseed sprinkles don’t meet that second requirement; chocolate sprinkles have a different flavour and aren’t a like-for-like substitute.
You’re looking for something you can eat without bread or crispbread. Compare biscuits and other individual snacks by their sugar content, portion size, polyols and allergens, rather than treating them as aniseed sprinkles.
If you’re hungry, you may want something other than a sweet topping. Diabetes Fonds lists fruit and unsalted nuts, among other examples, as snacks you could consider.
First decide whether you want aniseed sprinkles, another sweet topping or a separate snack. Then compare the nutritional information with the portion you’ll actually eat.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar in sprinkles | Compare sugars per 100 g and check which product a reduction claim is measured against. | I want something sweet to sprinkle over my bread or yoghurt, but reducing sugar matters more to me than aniseed flavour. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this when choosing sprinkles. |
| A separate sweet snack | Check the sugars and polyols per 100 g, then decide how many pieces you want to eat. | A biscuit-style snack suits my late-night eating occasion better than a topping; I want to know how much sugar is in that portion. For around 33% of consumers, this type of separate snack is the main choice. |
| Something filling instead of a topping | Consider whether you’re looking for a snack in its own right, then compare the portion size and nutritional information. | If I’m still hungry, I don’t want to just add something sweet to other food. Around 25% of consumers prioritise having a snack in its own right. |
De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes is made from sugared aniseed and is intended as a topping, while a biscuit is a snack in its own right. According to Albert Heijn, these aniseed sprinkles contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g.
First decide which type of product you want. A biscuit or bar can suit a late-night snack, but it won’t replace the aniseed flavour or the convenience of a topping.
A sugar-reduction claim doesn’t tell you everything about a product’s nutritional value. Voedingscentrum points out that less sugar doesn’t automatically mean fewer calories or a more filling effect.
As well as the sugars, check the energy per 100 g and decide what portion you’ll have. Consider whether you’re looking for a sweet topping or something to eat because you’re hungry.
Some products with less or no sugar contain polyols. The Céréal products mentioned carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; Voedingscentrum also notes that a high intake of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea.
If you’re considering a product containing polyols, check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging.
Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for traditional aniseed sprinkles as a spread or topping.
Worth considering if you want to compare milk chocolate sprinkles as an alternative topping.
Worth considering if you’re looking at chocolate sprinkles or biscuits with a different sugar content, but not if you’re looking for aniseed sprinkles.
This muesli bar, the cookie bars and the Cruesli offer different ways to choose a sweet late-night snack. None of these products is aniseed sprinkles, so first decide whether you want an individual snack or a cereal mix.
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A muesli bar is a good fit if you’re looking for an individual sweet snack rather than a topping. Check the sugars, polyols and allergens on the packaging; the word Zero doesn’t replace the need to check the nutritional information.
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This pack of 6 cookie bars is for anyone looking for a biscuit-style snack, not for those who want aniseed sprinkles as a topping. To help you choose, compare the sugars per 100 g, the portion size and the allergens. Also check what the Less Sugar claim refers to.
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This 400 g pack of Cruesli is a cereal mix for anyone who’d rather serve themselves a portion than grab a bar or biscuit. Check the nutritional information for the sugars per 100 g, and if fibre is listed, check what quantity it refers to.
Not if you’re considering De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes: Albert Heijn lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g and names sugar and glucose syrup among the ingredients. Choose them for their aniseed flavour and use as a topping, not because of a sugar-reduction claim.
Yes, if you mainly want a sweet topping and are happy with a different flavour. Albert Heijn lists AH Hagelslag melk minder suiker as containing 30% less sugar than AH Melk hagelslag, but it still contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g. Compare the nutritional information and your portion size.
No. That description doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value or how to use the product. Check the portion size, energy, polyols and allergens. The Céréal biscuits mentioned carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of each individual product. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contains wheat starch; don’t assume that chocolate sprinkles, biscuits and bars all have the same ingredients.
