Don’t choose regular aniseed sprinkles as a low-sugar after-school snack: according to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, De Ruijter Feestmuisjes and Gestampte Muisjes each contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. For a regular snack, consider vegetables and fruit, which the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends for children aged 4 to 12. If you’re after the aniseed flavour, use the sprinkles occasionally as a measured topping rather than eating them as a snack on their own.
If you’re buying aniseed sprinkles for after school because you want something lower in sugar, look beyond the name or packaging. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check that the product is actually aniseed sprinkles, not another type of topping.
For their aniseed flavour or festive appearance, the sprinkles can be used as a topping on something like a rusk. The amount you sprinkle on matters: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 11.9 g of sugars in a 15 g portion.
The De Ruijter varieties reviewed list wheat or cereals containing gluten in their product information. If you need to avoid these ingredients, check before buying and refer to the allergen information on the current packaging.
First, decide whether you’re looking for an after-school snack or just something to sprinkle on top. Then compare sweet toppings on a like-for-like basis, ideally using the nutritional information per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Genuinely lower in sugars | For similar products, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Also check whether you’re looking at aniseed sprinkles or another type of topping. | If I want a sweet topping for after school, the nutritional information should show that it contains less sugar. For around 50% of consumers, demonstrably lower sugar content is the top priority. |
| A snack rather than a topping | First decide what the occasion calls for: something to eat on its own or a small addition to another product. | For a regular snack, I’m looking for something other than just sugar-coated aniseed seeds. A suitable snack is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Quantity and ingredients | Consider how much you’ll actually use and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | If I use aniseed sprinkles as a topping, I want to control the amount and know whether the ingredients are suitable for the person eating them. These usage and ingredient requirements matter most to around 20% of consumers. |
Aniseed sprinkles are sugar-coated aniseed seeds used as a topping. According to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the De Ruijter varieties reviewed contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g; this nutritional information doesn’t support choosing them as a low-sugar option.
If you’re looking for an after-school snack, choose that first. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists vegetables and fruit as options for children aged 4 to 12; you can use aniseed sprinkles separately as a topping if you like.
Albert Heijn includes chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’ in its range of products for people watching their sugar intake. However, chocolate sprinkles aren’t aniseed sprinkles, so the label tells you nothing about the sugar content of an aniseed sprinkle product.
Check the product type, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g for products you’re actually weighing up against each other.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, 15 g of aniseed sprinkles contains 11.9 g of sugars. So the amount you put on a rusk or another product also affects how much sugar the topping adds.
Measure out the amount when using aniseed sprinkles rather than estimating a portion by eye.
The De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles reviewed list wheat or cereals containing gluten. A product name or image doesn’t give you enough information about this.
If someone needs to avoid wheat or gluten, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
The Feestmuisjes and Gestampte Muisjes varieties reviewed are made from sugar-coated aniseed seeds.
Its range for people watching their sugar intake also includes types of sweet bread topping labelled as containing less sugar.
Céréal Hagelslag melk minder suikers is part of Albert Heijn’s range for people watching their sugar intake.
No. The regular aniseed sprinkles reviewed aren’t a suitable choice: according to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, De Ruijter Feestmuisjes and Gestampte Muisjes each contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also lists 11.9 g of sugars in a 15 g portion. Treat aniseed sprinkles as a topping and choose a snack separately.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists vegetables and fruit as options for children aged 4 to 12. A wholemeal sandwich or wholemeal cracker can also make a suitable snack. If you still want the flavour or appearance of aniseed sprinkles, use a measured amount as a topping rather than serving them as the snack itself.
First decide which type of product you want to buy, then compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for similar products, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends when comparing labels. Albert Heijn also lists chocolate sprinkles with less sugar, but they aren’t aniseed sprinkles and don’t automatically have the same aniseed flavour or shape.
Yes. If someone needs to avoid wheat or gluten, it’s important to check the allergen information. The De Ruijter varieties reviewed list wheat or cereals containing gluten, so always check the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen before buying and using it.
