Don’t automatically choose sprinkles with less sugar as a replacement if you specifically want to take chocolate flakes with you: they’re a different type of product. If cutting down on sugar matters more to you than the texture of flakes, the AH and Céréal options discussed here let you compare sugars per 100 g. Also check the maltitol content, allergens and storage advice on the pack you buy.
You want to take chocolate sprinkles with you and are looking for an option with less sugar, without assuming that ‘less sugar’ also means low in sugar. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check which product the sugar-reduction claim is based on.
You’re considering sprinkles with less sugar, but want to know whether they contain maltitol. The Céréal option discussed here contains maltitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
You want to check the ingredients on the exact pack before setting off. The AH options discussed here list milk and lactose; the Céréal option contains soya and may contain milk.
When: the texture of flakes matters more to you than switching to a different type of chocolate topping.
Trade-off: check any ‘less sugar’ claim on the label of the specific flakes you want to buy.
When: you’re happy with a different type of product and want to compare options with less sugar.
Trade-off: sprinkles don’t have the same texture as flakes, so check the ingredients and allergens before choosing an option.
When choosing a chocolate topping for festival camping, the sugar comparison, how easy it is to take with you and the ingredients are the main things to consider.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare sugars per 100 g and check which product the reduction claim is based on. | If I want less sugar, I want to compare the amounts without mistaking a reduction claim for an absolute figure. For around 44% of consumers, comparing sugar content comes first. |
| Taking it with you and storage | Choose a pack size that suits you and follow the storage advice on the packaging. | At the campsite, I don’t want to take more than I expect to use, and I need to be able to store the topping as directed on the label. For roughly 33% of consumers, practical considerations make the difference. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact option, paying particular attention to maltitol, milk and soya. | If you want to avoid polyols or need to take milk or soya into account, you’ll want to know what’s in the sprinkles you’ve chosen before setting off. For around 23% of consumers, ingredients and allergens are the main concern. |
The products discussed with a ‘less sugar’ claim are sprinkles. If you’re looking for flakes, you’d be choosing a different type of product.
Decide in advance whether the texture of flakes is essential. If it is, check the nutritional information for the specific flakes rather than treating sprinkles as an equivalent replacement.
According to Albert Heijn, the AH sprinkles options discussed here each contain 43 g of sugars per 100 g, despite claiming to have less sugar than comparable AH sprinkles.
Compare the amount of sugars per 100 g and check what the claim is being compared with.
The Céréal sprinkles discussed here contain 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; the option contains soya and may contain milk.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re taking with you, and bear in mind your own tolerance for polyols.
Jumbo’s product page says that its Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker is no longer available in its online range. That doesn’t tell you whether you can buy it at a particular store.
Check local availability before relying on this option for your trip.
The plain and milk options discussed here are sprinkles with less sugar, not chocolate flakes.
The plain sprinkles discussed here are an alternative if you want to compare sugars per 100 g and are happy to use sprinkles instead of flakes.
Jumbo offers a comparison between product types: its listed chocolate flakes and a separate option of sprinkles with less sugar.
No. ‘Less sugar’ compares a product with a reference product; on its own, it doesn’t mean the product is low in sugar or sugar-free. Check the nutritional information for the amount of sugars per 100 g.
According to the product information, Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers contains 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g. The plain and milk AH sprinkles options discussed here each contain 43 g per 100 g; they aren’t chocolate flakes.
Check the maltitol content and the allergen information on the exact pack. The option discussed here lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g, contains soya, may contain milk and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Keep the pack sealed and follow the storage advice for the product you take with you. Albert Heijn recommends storing the options discussed here in a cool, dark and dry place; Céréal’s product information says to store its option in a dry place at room temperature.
