If you’re taking a snack with you
You want a single portion for when you’re out and about, without having to take biscuits from a larger pack. Check whether each bar is individually wrapped and how many pieces are in the pack.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you compare food labels
You may want to check things such as sugars, saturated fat, fibre or protein. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing the nutritional values of similar products per 100 g.
If you’re planning a visit to a new baby
You’re also looking for a little something for yourself, but want to keep your personal snack separate from the traditional Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles. Historiek describes these rusks as a treat served to visitors after a birth.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a single bar to take with you or something for a coffee break or snack at home. Then consider the portion, the nutritional information and what’s suitable for the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A clearly defined portion | Check the number of pieces in each inner pack and the weight per portion; a packet may contain more than one biscuit. | When I take something with me, I want to know in advance how much I’ll be opening. Around 30% of consumers prioritise a clearly defined portion. |
| Nutritional information | Compare similar products per 100 g for the nutritional values that matter to you, and read the ingredients list too. | When I’m choosing between two bars, I want to see how their sugars, fibre and fat compare. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Flavour and occasion | Decide whether you’re looking for something for yourself or a treat for visitors celebrating a birth; check the allergens in your chosen flavour too. | When visiting a new baby, I might want a biscuit for my own coffee break, without presenting it as a traditional Dutch rusk with aniseed sprinkles. This combination of flavour and occasion matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming an inner pack contains one biscuit
An individual packet doesn’t always contain just one piece. According to Jumbo, a pack of Lotus Biscoff XL contains ten packets, each with two biscuits.
Check both how many packets are in the pack and how many biscuits are in each one.
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Using a claim on the front as a complete comparison
A mention of fibre or protein doesn’t tell you how the bar’s other nutritional values compare with those of a similar product.
Check the nutrition table and compare similar products per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
A flavour name doesn’t tell you which allergens a particular variety contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.
When you buy a product, check the allergen information on the current packaging of the exact variety you’ve chosen.
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Presenting a personal snack bar as a treat for visitors
According to Historiek, Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles are part of the Dutch tradition of visiting a new baby; a prepacked bar doesn’t serve the same purpose.
Keep a biscuit or cereal bar for your own snack break separate from the treat for visitors.
Brands and product ranges to consider
LU
Jumbo lists LU Time Out Choco Chip as a pack of five 28 g biscuit bars.
- According to Jumbo, the bars are individually wrapped, which can be handy if you want to take one with you.
- The packaging doesn’t tell you anything about the nutritional values; check the table for the variety you’ve chosen.
Hero B'tween
Albert Heijn lists the coconut and chocolate variety as an individually wrapped 25 g muesli bar.
- The stated portion size makes it clear how much you’re taking with you each time.
- Check the allergen information for the exact flavour: according to Albert Heijn, this variety contains milk, oats, wheat and barley, and may contain nuts and peanuts.
Lotus Biscoff
Jumbo lists Lotus Biscoff XL packets containing two spiced biscuits.
- A packet gives you a clearly defined portion for a coffee break or snack of your own.
- Two biscuits in a packet aren’t the same as one biscuit or one bar; check the label for this variety too.
Golden Bridge
ALDI Netherlands lists a Golden Bridge multipack of muesli bars containing eight pieces and weighing 200 g in total.
- The stated number of pieces helps you decide whether a multipack suits your planned snack breaks.
- Check the packaging for your chosen variety for the portion size, ingredients and allergens.
Biscuits and cereal bars for a snack break of your own
These Joybuy products are muesli bars and biscuit bars for a snack just for you. Check the number of bars in each pack and make sure the portion suits what you want to take with you.
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Hero Coconut Muesli Bar, 6 pieces
An option to consider if you’re looking for a coconut muesli bar for your own snack break.
The pack contains 6 pieces. If you have allergies, check the ingredients and warnings on the current label.
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Hero B'Tween Zero Muesli Bar with milk chocolate, 6 pieces
A milk chocolate muesli bar to consider if you want to take a portion for yourself.
The pack contains 6 pieces. Check the weight of each bar if you want to work out the nutritional values per snack.
For this variety, read the information about polyols and the warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
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Hero B'Tween Muesli Bar Zero White Chocolate, 120 g
A white chocolate muesli bar to compare if you’d like this flavour as a snack for yourself.
The pack weighs 120 g. Check the number of bars and their individual weight before comparing a portion with other bars.
For this Zero variety too, read the information about polyols and the warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
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Hero B'Tween Muesli Bar Milk Chocolate, 150 g
A milk chocolate muesli bar to compare with other flavours for a personal snack break.
The pack weighs 150 g. Check the number of bars and the weight of each one if having a set portion matters to you.
If you have allergies, check the current packaging for information about peanuts and other nuts.
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g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 pieces
A biscuit bar to consider if you’re looking for a biscuit bar rather than a muesli bar for yourself.
The pack contains 6 pieces. Check the label to see whether the bars are individually wrapped and what quantity the nutritional values refer to; don’t infer this information from the name Less Sugar.
Frequently asked questions
Can a biscuit or cereal bar replace Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles?
Not if you mean the traditional treat served to visitors after a birth. Historiek describes these rusks as part of a visit to a new baby; you can choose a bar as a personal snack alongside them.
How do I compare bars with different portion sizes?
Compare the nutritional values of similar products per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends. Then check how many grams you actually eat each time.
Where can I find the allergens in a biscuit or cereal bar?
Check the label of the exact variety you’re buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.
How should I store bars or biscuits after opening the pack?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. Also check whether you’ve opened just the outer packaging or an individual inner pack.