If you want strictly sugar-free
‘Less sugar’ isn’t enough for you. You want a topping to sprinkle over your tea-time treat that stays within the nutritional limit for sugar-free.
Who is this choice for?
If you want less sugar and are considering sprinkles
You want a chocolatey topping to sprinkle on, but it doesn’t have to be in flake form. In that case, the remaining sugar content, ingredients and any warnings matter more than a reduction claim alone.
If you want to stick with flakes
You’re mainly looking for the texture of chocolate flakes. Check the sugars per 100 g and the ingredients for each variety if sugar or certain allergens are a concern for you.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether sugar-free is essential. If it isn’t, weigh up whether a lower sugar content matters more to you than the different texture of chocolate sprinkles.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the packaging. For solid foods, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for a ‘sugar-free’ claim. | I want a topping to sprinkle over my tea-time treat that is genuinely sugar-free; ‘less sugar’ alone doesn’t meet my requirements. This strict requirement is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Less sugar, different shape | Compare sugars per 100 g rather than relying on a reduction claim alone. Also check the ingredients and whether you want sprinkles rather than flakes. | If less sugar matters more to me than the texture of flakes, sprinkles could be suitable, as long as I know which ingredients I’m choosing. This is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flakes and ingredients | Check the sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety of flakes. | I want to keep the texture of flakes with my tea, but I also want to know what’s in the variety I choose. For around 20% of consumers, the flake shape is the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
A reduction compared with another product doesn’t tell you how much sugar is actually in it. For example, Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, which is above the sugar-free limit set by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
If sugar-free is essential, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for the exact variety.
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Assuming sprinkles are the same as flakes
Reduced-sugar chocolate sprinkles may suit you if you want to choose a lower-sugar option, but they don’t have the flake shape you may be looking for.
Before buying, decide whether the texture of flakes matters more to you than the sugar reduction offered by an alternative.
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Overlooking ingredients and warnings
According to the product information on Jumbo, Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles contain maltitols and soya, may contain milk, and carry a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and warnings on the packaging of the variety you buy.
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Assuming ‘dark’ means less sugar
A flavour name doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains. PLUS lists 71 g of sugars per 100 g for Choca Flakes.
Use the nutrition table to compare varieties, regardless of their flavour name.
Brands to consider
Céréal
Worth considering if you’re looking for sprinkles rather than flakes.
- Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles.
- These sprinkles aren’t sugar-free. Also check the information about maltitols, allergens and usage warnings.
Jumbo
Offers flakes and its own-brand reduced-sugar sprinkles as different types of product.
- The flakes range includes dark and milk chocolate flakes, as well as a flakes mix.
- The ‘less sugar’ claim on Jumbo Milk Chocolate Sprinkles doesn’t mean the product is sugar-free.
De Ruijter
A brand to explore if you’re mainly looking for traditional chocolate flakes.
- Flake varieties are available in different chocolate flavours.
- Only consider a specific variety sugar-free after checking the nutritional information on its packaging.
Choca
An option if you’re looking for flakes but don’t need them to be strictly sugar-free.
- PLUS lists Choca Flakes as chocolate flakes.
- PLUS lists 71 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety. Also check the allergen information on the packaging.
Kiekeboe
A flakes option if you’re looking for a milk or dark chocolate flavour.
- ALDI Netherlands lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk or dark varieties, in a 300 g pack.
- Check the sugars per 100 g on the packaging you choose before deciding whether it meets your sugar-free requirements.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When are chocolate flakes sugar-free?
For a ‘sugar-free’ claim on solid foods, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the packaging of the flakes you want to buy.
Does ‘no added sugars’ also mean sugar-free?
No. A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. If sugar-free is essential for you, check separately that ‘of which sugars’ is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.
Can Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles replace sugar-free flakes?
Not if you want a strictly sugar-free option: Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles. You’d also be choosing sprinkles rather than the texture of flakes.
What should I look for in sprinkles containing maltitols?
Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the exact packaging. For Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, Jumbo’s product information lists maltitols and a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Are regular chocolate flakes an option if I want less sugar?
That depends on the sugar content of the variety you choose and on your own requirements. PLUS lists 71 g of sugars per 100 g for Choca Flakes, so compare the nutrition information for specific products rather than judging by the product type.