Who is this gift for?

For someone who counts carbohydrates

Look for chocolate or biscuits with a clearly defined portion and clear nutritional information, so the recipient can decide for themselves how much is right for them.

For someone who watches their added sugar intake

You may want to consider an alternative to regular biscuits, but don’t confuse a sugar claim with information about the product’s total carbohydrate content.

For someone with allergies or a sensitivity to sweeteners

You’ll need the full ingredients and allergen information. The presence of polyols may also matter to the recipient.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by considering how much the recipient would actually eat. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients for the specific product, whether it’s a box of chocolates, individual chocolates or biscuits.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Carbohydrates and portion size Check the carbohydrates per 100 g and per portion; check the weight or number of pieces included in that portion. If the recipient counts carbohydrates, you’ll want them to be able to work out the amount in each piece they eat. For around 42% of consumers, a predictable portion size comes first.
What sugar claims mean Alongside a claim such as ‘no added sugars’, check the stated carbohydrates, including sugars, and the ingredients. If someone wants to make a conscious choice to reduce added sugar, the full label is more useful than the front of the pack alone. Around 33% of consumers say that understanding such a claim is their top priority.
Sweeteners and allergens Check the ingredients list for polyols and the allergen information for the exact product. If the recipient has an allergy or sensitivity to certain sweeteners, you won’t want to choose a surprise box and hope for the best. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘carbohydrate-free’

    The claim refers to what has not been added for sweetness, not the total amount of carbohydrates. According to diabetes.nl, that total remains relevant when someone is counting carbohydrates.

    Check the nutritional information per portion before choosing a biscuit or chocolate.

  • Assuming a large pack is a single portion

    The nutritional information per 100 g doesn’t tell you how much is in an individual piece or the amount someone chooses to eat.

    Check whether the pieces can be counted or weighed individually, and let the recipient decide on the portion size.

  • Overlooking polyols

    Some products containing sweeteners also contain polyols. The Peijnenburg breakfast cake with xylitol described by Albert Heijn carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check for ingredients such as xylitol, sorbitol and maltitol. If in doubt, ask whether the recipient wants products containing them.

  • Presenting regular biscuits as a diabetes-friendly gift

    The filled Lotus Biscoff speculoos listed by Jumbo contains 63 g of carbohydrates and 35 g of sugars per 100 g. A familiar brand name tells you nothing about the amount in the portion someone eats.

    Only choose these biscuits if the recipient can check the nutritional information and decide how much they want; check the allergens on the packaging too.

Brands and shops to explore

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a category for biscuits aimed at people watching their sugar intake, including Céréal Chocolate chip cookie zonder suikers.

  • The category is a useful starting point for comparing the labels of individual biscuit products.
  • A category label is no substitute for checking the nutritional information, ingredients and portion size of the product you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s ‘Suikerbewust’ category includes chocolate-related products.

  • You can browse different types of chocolate-related products as separate options.
  • Check the nutritional information for each product; the category alone can’t tell you whether it’s right for the recipient.

Lidl

Lidl describes a chocolate bar with no added sugar, sweetened with sweeteners, available in milk and dark varieties.

  • One option to explore if you’re specifically looking for chocolate with no added sugar, although a bar isn’t a gift box.
  • Check the full nutritional information and ask whether the recipient wants chocolate made with sweeteners.

Lotus Biscoff

The filled Lotus Biscoff speculoos listed by Jumbo is a regular biscuit option, not a gift specifically intended for someone with diabetes.

  • According to Jumbo, this variety contains 63 g of carbohydrates and 35 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the portion size and allergen information on the packaging.

Peijnenburg

The wholegrain breakfast cake with no added sugars described by Albert Heijn contains xylitol. Breakfast cake is a different gift option from chocolate.

  • The product information includes details such as portion size, carbohydrates, sugars, polyols and allergens.
  • Albert Heijn lists 24 g of polyols per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ also mean ‘sugar-free’?

No. The European definition of ‘no added sugars’ means that no sugars or other foods have been added for their sweetening properties. The product may still contain sugars and other carbohydrates, so check the nutritional information for the portion.

Can chocolate or biscuits be a gift for someone with diabetes?

That depends on the recipient and how much they want to eat. Diabetes.nl highlights the carbohydrate content of treats, so share the portion size and nutritional information and let the recipient decide.

What should I look for in chocolate containing polyols?

Check which sweeteners and polyols are listed in the ingredients and how big the portion is. Diabetes.nl mentions sorbitol, xylitol and maltitol, among others. If in doubt, ask whether the recipient is happy to have ingredients like these.

How do I check for allergens in a biscuit or chocolate gift?

Check the allergen information on the packaging of each individual product. This is especially important with a mixed box, as the ingredients may differ from one variety to another. If you know the recipient has an allergy, ask in advance what they can eat.