Who is this choice relevant to?

Calendar fillers keeping an eye on sugar

You’re looking for small treats and comparing the sugar content of each item. You’re also checking which sweeteners an alternative contains.

Fans of classic almond-paste pastries

You want to put an almond-paste-filled canoe pastry in an advent calendar compartment, and that matters more to you than choosing a product labelled ‘sugar-free’.

Shoppers who check allergens first

You rule out products containing allergens that are relevant to you by checking the current packaging, before letting size or sugar content influence your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether lower sugar or a classic almond-paste-filled canoe pastry matters more to you. Then check that the item fits in the calendar compartment and that its ingredients are suitable for the person receiving it.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar per treat Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per item and, for alternatives, check the ingredients list for sweeteners. If I’m handing out a treat every day, I want to know how much sugar is in each one. Around 45% of consumers prioritise less sugar per treat.
Size and type of treat Check the weight and number of items per pack, and measure the advent calendar compartment too. An almond-paste-filled canoe pastry makes for a different treat from a mini cake or biscuit, and the item needs to fit in my calendar. For around 33% of consumers, size and personal preference are the most important factors.
Allergens and ingredients Check the current packaging to see which allergens the product contains or may contain, and check which sweeteners are listed. If I need to avoid an allergen, a product is out of the running regardless of its sugar content or size. For around 22% of consumers, checking the ingredients comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Relying on the ‘sugar-free’ label alone

    The label doesn’t mean a treat contains no carbohydrates or energy. According to Jumbo’s product information, a 28 g Céréal Mini Cake Stukjes Chocolade contains 0 g of sugars, but it does contain polyols.

    Check the nutritional information per item and the ingredients list, so you can compare the properties that matter to you.

  • Comparing portions of different sizes as if they were the same

    Jumbo lists a 55 g portion for its butter canoe pastry; the Céréal mini cake we looked at weighs 28 g, while the speculoos biscuit weighs 11 g. Comparing values per 100 g alone won’t tell you what you’re handing out in each advent calendar compartment.

    Decide how many items you want to put in each compartment, then compare the nutritional information for that amount.

  • Confusing a sugar claim with allergen information

    The sugar-free alternatives we looked at also contain or may contain allergens. According to Jumbo’s product information, the Céréal varieties include ingredients such as wheat and egg.

    If someone needs to avoid an ingredient, use the current allergen information on the packaging as your first check.

Brands worth comparing

Céréal

The mini cake and speculoos biscuit we looked at are alternatives labelled ‘sugar-free’, but they differ in size and ingredients.

  • According to Jumbo, Mini Cake Stukjes Chocolade contains 0 g of sugars per 28 g cake; Speculoos Stukjes Amandel contains 0.04 g per 11 g biscuit.
  • Both products contain polyols. According to Jumbo, the speculoos variety also contains ingredients including almonds, barley, egg, milk, soya and wheat.

Jumbo

Jumbo Kano's met Roomboter are a useful reference if you want a classic almond-paste-filled canoe pastry, rather than a sugar-free alternative.

  • Jumbo lists 38% almond paste and a 55 g portion for these canoe pastries.
  • According to Jumbo, a portion contains 20.2 g of sugars. Check the listed allergens too, including wheat, milk, egg, soya and almonds.

Albert Heijn

The AH Kano's roomboter we looked at offer another classic canoe pastry to compare. Albert Heijn also has a separate range of biscuits for those keeping an eye on sugar.

  • The separate biscuit range may be useful if you want to consider other types of treats as well as canoe pastries.
  • Albert Heijn lists 37 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Kano's roomboter. Before buying, check the current packaging for nutritional values, ingredients and allergens.

A muesli bar as an alternative calendar treat

A muesli bar is a different kind of treat from the canoe pastry, mini cake or biscuit discussed above. Check that a bar fits in the advent calendar compartment, and compare the nutritional information per bar before filling your calendar.

Hero B'Tween Muesli Bar Zero White Chocolate, 120 g pack

Hero B'Tween Muesli Bar Zero White Chocolate 120 g

This muesli bar is an option if you’re considering other kinds of treats besides canoe pastries or biscuits. Check the packaging for sugars per bar, the number of bars and allergens. Don’t assume the bar is sugar-free just because ‘Zero’ appears in its name.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘sugar-free’ mean a treat contains no carbohydrates?

No. According to Jumbo’s product information, a 28 g Céréal Mini Cake Stukjes Chocolade contains 0 g of sugars, but it also contains 14 g of carbohydrates per cake. Check the nutritional information per item if you want to compare both values.

What should I look for when checking sweeteners in a biscuit?

Check which sweeteners are listed in the ingredients and how many items you plan to hand out. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems; ‘sugar-free’ on its own doesn’t tell you how much polyol a product contains.

Which allergens should I check in canoe pastries and alternatives?

Check the current packaging for allergens that are relevant to the person receiving the treat. The canoe pastries and Céréal products we looked at list different combinations of cereals containing gluten, egg, milk, soya and nuts. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.

How should I store the treats after opening the pack?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose. Jumbo says its canoe pastries should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place; Joybuy lists a cool, dry place away from sunlight, heat and moisture for Céréal Speculoos Stukjes Amandel.