For a baking recipe, first compare the amount of sugars per 100 g, then decide whether the cookie itself needs to contain chocolate. A chocolate cookie with no sugars and a biscuit with no added sugars are not the same thing: the biscuit may still contain sugars, and you’ll need to add a separate chocolate ingredient if you want a chocolate flavour. For both options, check the ingredients, allergens and any warning about polyols.
If the cookie itself needs to contain chocolate, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 0 g sugars per 100 g and 11% chocolate pieces for Céréal Chocolate chip cookie without sugars.
For a biscuit base or crumb layer, you can choose a biscuit and add the chocolate separately to your recipe. Verkade states that San Francisco Zero contains no added sugars and has 1.7 g sugars per 100 g; it is not a chocolate biscuit.
According to their product information, Céréal Chocolate chip cookie without sugars and Verkade San Francisco Zero contain maltitols. Check the warning about excessive consumption and read the allergen information on the packaging, especially if you’re sharing your bake with others.
First decide whether you need a chocolate cookie or a plain biscuit base. Then compare the nutritional values per 100 g of similar products; the Voedingscentrum recommends using this basis to compare food labels.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Total sugars | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for similar cookies; don’t rely solely on ‘zero’ or ‘no added sugars’. | If I want to limit the amount of sugars in my cookie ingredient, the total figure on the label is what matters most to me. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Sweeteners and tolerance | Check whether the product contains maltitol or other polyols, and read the warning about excessive consumption. | When I’m making something to share, I want to know which sweeteners it contains and what warnings apply. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Recipe role and allergens | Check whether the cookie itself contains chocolate or is intended as a plain base, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | For my recipe, it matters whether the chocolate is already in the cookie; if I’m sharing the bake, the ingredients need to be suitable too. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. Verkade lists 1.7 g sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero.
When buying, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the pack.
Albert Heijn lists 26 g polyols per 100 g for Céréal Chocolate chip cookie without sugars and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients and warnings before deciding how many cookies to use in your bake.
For Jumbo Chocolade Biscuits Puur, ‘puur’ refers to the dark chocolate variety. Jumbo lists 37 g sugars per 100 g.
If reducing sugar is your main goal, consider the nutrition table rather than the name of the chocolate variety.
The product information for the cookies mentioned lists different ingredients and possible traces, including wheat, milk, soya, egg, nuts or sesame. These vary from product to product.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging before buying and using the product, especially if others will be eating your bake.
Chocolate chip cookie without sugars is an option when you want the chocolate to be in the cookie itself.
San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars, suitable for recipes where you want to add the chocolate separately.
When comparing cookies, it’s useful to distinguish between sugar-conscious options and regular chocolate biscuits.
Jumbo Chocolade Biscuits Puur shows why the amount of chocolate and the amount of sugars should be assessed separately.
No. According to Verkade, San Francisco Zero has no added sugars, but it contains 1.7 g sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 0 g sugars per 100 g for Céréal Chocolate chip cookie without sugars. So compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure for the products you’re considering.
This warning relates to polyols such as maltitol. The product information for Céréal Chocolate chip cookie without sugars and Verkade San Francisco Zero mentions a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess. Read the warning before using these cookies in a recipe.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging and seal opened cookies tightly. Albert Heijn recommends storing the Céréal cookie in a cool, dry place; check the label for other products.
Use the online product information to help you make your choice, but check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you actually have before using it. This is especially important if anyone sharing the bake needs to avoid certain ingredients.
