Commuters who want one snack
You want to take a measured amount with you alongside lunch, without having to open a large pack while you’re out. A small pack or multipack is worth considering.
Who is this for?
Lunch-goers comparing nutritional values
You want to know what your chosen amount adds to lunch, so you check the portion size and nutritional information, including sugars, saturated fat and fibre.
Shoppers checking ingredients or allergens
Before buying, you need to check the ingredients and allergens listed on the current packaging. A warning that a product may contain an allergen can also be an important factor in your choice.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how many biscuits you want to take with you for lunch and whether you can store an opened pack. Then use the nutritional information and ingredients list to compare options on a like-for-like basis.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and packaging | Check how many biscuits are in each individual pack and whether you can reseal a larger pack securely once opened. | If I’m only taking one snack, I don’t want to have an open pack in my bag. Around 42% of consumers put portion size and convenience on the go first. |
| Nutritional value | Compare values per 100 g, then calculate them for the portion you’ll actually take with you; pay particular attention to sugars and saturated fat. | Alongside lunch, I want to be able to estimate what my chosen number of biscuits adds. For around 33% of consumers, nutritional value is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current pack, including any warnings that it may contain other allergens. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the information must match this exact product. Around 25% of consumers put checking ingredients and allergens first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a small pack means a small nutritional contribution
A handy multipack won’t tell you how much energy, sugar or saturated fat its contents provide. That depends on the product and how much you eat.
Compare the nutritional information for the portion you plan to take, not just the size of the pack.
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Reading only the front of the pack
A product name or picture doesn’t give you the full picture of its ingredients and nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the ingredients list and nutrition table too.
Compare products per 100 g, then see what the values mean for your portion.
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Overlooking the ‘may contain’ warning
If you have a relevant allergy, a warning about the possible presence of allergens may be important as well as the ingredients list. For example, product information for Verkade Chocorondjes and Jumbo Chocolade Biscuits Puur includes warnings about certain nuts.
Check the current packaging of the exact product before making your choice.
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Taking a large pack without being able to reseal it
If you only eat a few biscuits, the rest of the pack will be left open. Jumbo advises resealing its Chocolade Biscuits Puur securely after opening.
Take a pre-portioned amount in a suitable lunchbox, or follow the storage instructions on the pack for the rest.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Verkade offers chocolate biscuits in different styles: Chocorondjes are coated in milk chocolate, while Tops have a cream filling and milk chocolate topping.
- Verkade’s product information lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g and per product.
- Check the allergens for each variety; for Tops, Verkade also lists the possible presence of hazelnuts, pistachios and sesame.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff offers speculoos biscuits with dark chocolate in a pack of 7 × 3 pieces. This format may be handy if you want to take some with you in advance.
- The stated arrangement in groups of three makes the packaging format easy to compare.
- According to the product information, the dark chocolate variety contains wheat, milk and soya; check the nutritional values for your chosen portion too.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes both milk and dark chocolate biscuits. The dark variety is described as a pack of nine.
- Jumbo Chocolade Biscuits Puur lists nutritional values per biscuit and storage information for after opening.
- For this dark chocolate variety, Jumbo lists gluten, milk, soya and wheat, and the possible presence of nuts.
Biscotto bij ALDI
ALDI describes its Biscotto chocolate biscuits as a pack of 20, weighing 250 g, with the biscuits packed in pairs.
- The individual packs of two are worth considering if that matches how much you want to eat while you’re out.
- When buying, check the packaging of your chosen variety for the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Chocolate biscuits and wafers on Joybuy
This selection includes chocolate biscuits, biscuit sticks and chocolate wafers that you can take with you for lunch. They don’t all come in the same shape or portion format, so check how much you want to take from the pack when making your choice.
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Sarelle Milk Chocolate Coated Hazelnut Wafer 33 g Turkish
A hazelnut wafer covered in milk chocolate for anyone who would rather have a wafer than a biscuit with lunch.
The stated weight is 33 g. Check the packaging to see how the wafer is packed and which allergens are listed.
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Milka Choco Wafer Milk 180 g
A chocolate wafer for anyone who wants to choose a wafer portion to go with lunch.
The pack contains 180 g. Check the pack to see how many wafers you’ll take and what the nutritional values are for that amount.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits 150 g
A chocolate biscuit for anyone who would rather take a biscuit than a wafer with lunch.
The stated weight is 150 g. Compare the nutritional information for the number of biscuits you actually choose.
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Glico Pocky Cookie Bar Chocolate Flavor 47 g IN
A chocolate-flavoured biscuit snack for anyone looking for something different from a round biscuit at lunchtime.
The stated weight is 47 g. Check the packaging for portion sizes, ingredients and allergens.
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Lu Mikado Milk Chocolate Biscuit Sticks 75 g
Biscuit sticks covered in milk chocolate for anyone who wants to choose how many to have with lunch.
The pack contains 75 g. Check the inner packaging and nutritional information before deciding how many to take with you.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chocolate biscuit replace my lunch?
You can choose a chocolate biscuit as an extra with lunch, but the packaging won’t tell you how it fits in with the rest of your meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that many products sold as snacks can be high in energy, sugar or saturated fat. So check the portion size and what else you’re taking with you.
What should I check if I have an allergy?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging of the exact variety you want to buy, including any warnings that the product may contain an allergen. The European Union states that allergens in prepacked foods must be emphasised in the ingredients list.
Should I compare nutritional values per 100 g or per biscuit?
Use values per 100 g to compare products on the same basis, and values per biscuit or portion to estimate what your snack will provide. Jumbo also lists nutritional values per biscuit for its Chocolade Biscuits Puur; check how many biscuits you’ll actually take with you.
How should I store an opened pack of chocolate biscuits?
Follow the storage instructions for the product you buy. Jumbo advises resealing its Chocolade Biscuits Puur securely after opening and eating the remaining biscuits within a few days.
Could the information on the pack differ from the online product information?
Yes, product information can change. Albert Heijn therefore recommends checking the packaging for the latest ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information, even if you’ve viewed the product online.