A box of chocolates is no substitute for breakfast when you’re in a hurry; at most, a biscuit can be a convenient extra to take with you. The Voedingscentrum recommends breakfast combinations that include wholegrain foods, fruit and dairy products or an alternative. If you’re mainly looking for something to give as a gift or share, a box of chocolates is a better fit. When choosing biscuits or breakfast cake, compare the serving size, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.
If you want to take something with you that needs no cutlery or preparation, a pack of individually portioned biscuits or a slice of pre-sliced breakfast cake is a practical option. Think of it as an extra, not a complete breakfast; for ideas for a balanced breakfast, see the examples from the Voedingscentrum.
For sweet snacks to take with you, the nutritional information per 100 g and the serving size together give you a better guide than a claim on the front of the pack. Also check the packaging for any warnings about sweeteners.
If you’re buying something to give, serve or share, a box of chocolates is a better match for the occasion. For an assortment, check the ingredients and allergens in the particular box you’ve chosen; these can vary between fillings.
First decide whether you want to put together a breakfast, take a small extra with you or find a gift. Then check the packaging and nutritional information before you buy.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Putting together a breakfast | Consider whether you’ll take other breakfast foods as well as a biscuit or breakfast cake. The Voedingscentrum recommends options including wholegrain foods, fruit and dairy products or an alternative. | If I want a proper breakfast on the go, I don’t want to rely solely on a sweet snack; an estimated 33% of consumers considering a quick option say this is their top priority. |
| Taking it with you and portioning | Check how many biscuits are in a pack and whether it contains individual portions. For pre-sliced breakfast cake, check the size of each slice. | On a short journey, I want to be able to grab something without opening a large pack while I’m out; portability is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Fibre and sugars | Compare fibre and sugars on the same basis, such as per 100 g, then check the serving size. For products containing polyols, read the warning about consumption. | When choosing a sweet option, I want to be able to assess the nutritional value of my usual serving; an estimated 27% of consumers give this label comparison priority. |
| Giving or sharing | Check the contents and allergens of the specific chocolate assortment. A gift box serves a different purpose from breakfast on the go. | When I’m buying something for others, I want to know whether it’s suitable to give or share; for an estimated 13% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
A box of chocolates is intended as a treat or a gift. The Voedingscentrum points out that chocolate contains a lot of saturated fat and calories; a box of chocolates doesn’t provide the breakfast combination it recommends.
Buy chocolates if you want something to give or share. If you want breakfast, choose foods that make up a breakfast together rather than just a box of chocolate.
Wholegrain on its own doesn’t tell you how much sugar a serving contains. Breakfast cake with no added sugars may also contain polyols: for the Peijnenburg variety it reviewed, Jumbo warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the nutritional information, serving size, ingredients and any consumption warnings together before comparing products.
Biscuits and an assortment of filled chocolates can contain different ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be clearly listed on the label of pre-packed foods.
If you have an allergy, check the current packaging of the exact product you want to eat or give as a gift.
Speculoos biscuits for anyone looking to take a small portion with them. Albert Heijn describes a Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack containing eight bags of two biscuits; this is a different pack from the 250 g pack featured in the product selection below.
A supermarket own-brand offering pre-sliced wholegrain breakfast cake for anyone who wants to take a slice with them and check the nutritional information per serving.
Pre-sliced wholegrain breakfast cake for anyone specifically looking to compare a variety with no added sugars.
You can consider these biscuits as an extra to take with you, not as a replacement for breakfast. Pay particular attention to the difference between packs containing individual portions and packs from which you’ll need to portion out the biscuits yourself.
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A biscuit option if you want to take something sweet alongside the rest of your breakfast. The pack contains 150 g of biscuits with milk chocolate; check the label for the serving size and any allergens that are relevant to you.
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The two individual packs are handy if you don’t want to take the whole pack with you at once. Together, they contain 97 g of raspberry- and blueberry-flavoured sandwich biscuits; the individual packs don’t make these biscuits a complete breakfast.
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A good option if you want to decide in advance how many speculaas biscuits to take with you. The pack contains 8 biscuits and weighs 200 g; compare nutritional values on the same basis when weighing it up against other biscuits.
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The 250 g pack is a good fit if you want to portion out the biscuits yourself. If you’d prefer individually sealed portions for your journey, check the packaging format of this variety; don’t confuse it with the Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack.
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These mini biscuits are a good choice if you want to pack a small amount for your journey. The pack weighs 160 g; check whether the biscuits are individually wrapped if that matters for your trip.
Not as a replacement for breakfast. The Voedingscentrum recommends breakfast options that include wholegrain foods, while also pointing out the saturated fat and calorie content of chocolate. A box of chocolates is better suited to giving, sharing or serving as a treat.
Use biscuits as an extra at most, alongside other breakfast foods. The Voedingscentrum recommends options such as wholegrain foods, fruit and dairy products or an alternative as part of breakfast; take what suits your journey time and storage options.
If you have a food allergy, always check the label on the exact pack you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on pre-packed foods; ingredients can vary between biscuits and chocolate assortments.
That claim doesn’t mean you can eat unlimited portions. For the Peijnenburg variety it reviewed, Jumbo lists polyols, including xylitol, and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. So be sure to check the serving size and consumption warning too.
