If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free topping for a school breakfast, De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes isn’t a sugar-free option: Jumbo lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g. If you mainly want the aniseed flavour and sprinklable texture, you can choose the traditional sprinkles and take their sugar content into account. If sugar-free is your top priority, consider a different type of topping, with a different flavour and texture.
For a school morning, a product with less sugar isn’t automatically suitable if you need something strictly sugar-free. Regular crushed aniseed sprinkles aren’t a sugar-free option: Jumbo lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g.
If you want to keep using a sweet topping that you can sprinkle, you can compare the nutritional information of alternatives. Remember that ‘less sugar’, ‘no added sugars’ and ‘sugar-free’ mean different things.
If it’s the aniseed flavour and fine, crushed texture you’re after, traditional crushed aniseed sprinkles are different from chocolate sprinkles or chocolate spread. They still contain sugar.
First, decide what matters most for your school breakfast: a sugar-free topping, less sugar in a sprinklable topping, or that familiar aniseed flavour. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of products that fit your priorities.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free | Check the wording on the packaging and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. | I want a genuinely sugar-free topping for the school morning, even if that means not choosing aniseed sprinkles; this is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Less sugar, still sprinklable | Compare sugars and polyols per 100 g, and read any warnings on the packaging. | I want a sweet topping I can sprinkle, but a lower sugar content matters more to me than aniseed flavour; this is the main priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Aniseed flavour and portion size | Check the nutritional information, portion size and allergens on the crushed aniseed sprinkles’ label. | The familiar aniseed flavour on bread or crispbread matters most to me, and I’m happy to accept that the topping contains sugar; an estimated 18% of consumers put this flavour first. |
These terms don’t mean the same thing. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g.
If you need a strictly sugar-free product, check both the wording on the product and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g.
A lower sugar content doesn’t tell you everything about a product. Albert Heijn also lists 44 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag melk minder suikers and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Also compare the rest of the nutritional information, ingredients, allergens and the portion you intend to use.
Jumbo’s product information lists wheat and gluten as allergens in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. This matters if you need to avoid these ingredients.
Check the label on the pack you buy, even if you’ve used the product before.
Sugar-free chocolate spread doesn’t have the aniseed flavour or sprinklable texture of crushed aniseed sprinkles.
Before comparing products, decide whether sugar-free, aniseed flavour or a sprinklable texture matters most to you.
A relevant choice if you’re specifically looking for crushed aniseed sprinkles.
Chocolate sprinkles to compare if you’re looking for a sprinklable topping, rather than an aniseed alternative.
A relevant option if sugar-free is your main priority and you’re happy with chocolate spread instead of aniseed sprinkles.
No. Jumbo lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, so don’t choose this product if you need a sugar-free topping.
No, the wording ‘less sugar’ doesn’t mean that. For example, Albert Heijn lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker and 15 g per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag melk minder suikers. Check the nutritional information for the specific product.
A different type of topping may be a better fit. Jumbo describes Boerinneke Chocopasta Puur Fondant Suikervrij as sugar-free and lists 0.1 g of sugars per 100 g. However, it’s chocolate spread made with maltitol, not sprinklable aniseed sprinkles; check the allergens and usage warning too.
Polyols can affect how you use a product. Albert Heijn lists 44 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag melk minder suikers and warns against excessive consumption. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says a high intake of polyols can cause digestive problems for some people.
