For a study break, the right choice depends on what you’re looking for: a portion-controlled sweet treat, a cookie bar whose sugar and fibre content you want to compare, or a bar where protein is a factor for you. Then check the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving, as well as the ingredients and allergens. A prominent claim on the packaging doesn’t tell the whole story.
An individually wrapped bar is handy for a break, but its nutritional content still matters when you’re choosing. Compare values per 100 g and check the weight of one bar so you know what the serving contains.
If protein is one of your selection criteria, check sugar, saturated fat, salt and allergens too. A protein claim on its own doesn’t tell you whether the product’s other qualities suit your preferences.
A pre-portioned pack can be a nice choice for a short, sweet break. Just check how many biscuits it contains: one pack doesn’t necessarily mean one biscuit or one bar.
First, decide what matters most for your study break. Then compare products on the same basis: according to the Voedingscentrum, the nutritional information on the label can help you check sugar, fat, protein and salt, among other things.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar and fibre | Compare sugar and fibre per 100 g and per bar; check the ingredients too. | If I’m considering several bars, I want to know how much sugar and fibre my serving contains. Around 36% of consumers give this comparison the highest priority. |
| Protein | Check protein per 100 g and per bar, alongside saturated fat and salt. | I want protein to be a factor in my break-time snack choice, without overlooking the rest of the nutritional information. Protein is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Taste and portion size | Check how many biscuits or bars are in each pack and the weight of that serving. | I’m mainly looking for something sweet for a short break and want to decide in advance how much to have. Taste and a defined portion are the top priorities for around 29% of consumers. |
| Pack format | Check how many individual servings a multipack contains and whether the packaging suits the way you’ll use it. | For several days of studying, I want to be able to portion out snacks without opening a large pack each time. Around 14% of consumers give this practical format the highest priority. |
A claim about protein, fibre or sugar highlights only part of the nutritional information. For example, Albert Heijn lists 28 g of protein for Trek High Protein Choc Caramel, as well as 9,4 g of saturated fat and 1,2 g of salt per 100 g.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving, and read the ingredients list before comparing two bars.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Lotus Biscoff Speculoos XL contains ten packs, each with two biscuits. Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ granen, pitten & fruit contains four individually wrapped bars. The whole pack is not the same as one snack for your break.
Check how many individual servings there are and the weight of each serving.
The products mentioned differ in the allergens they contain and the possibility of traces. A flavour name won’t tell you which grains, soya, milk, peanuts or nuts are listed in the allergen information.
Check the current allergen information on the packaging before eating the product.
The product information for Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ and Snelle Jelle Zero mentions xylitol and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the warning on the packaging, especially if you’re planning to have more than one bar.
The products featured from these brands vary in portion format, nutritional content and ingredients. The details below apply to the specific varieties mentioned, not to every product from each brand.
Breakfast cake and snack bars, including individually wrapped 36,7 g Tussendoor+ granen, pitten & fruit bars.
Spiced cake bars in several varieties, including Proteïne naturel and Zero.
Bars for anyone looking to compare protein content, among other things; the nutritional values mentioned are for High Protein Choc Caramel.
Speculoos biscuits for a sweet break; Speculoos XL comes in ten packs, each containing two biscuits.
The own-brand range includes AH Kruidkoekreep naturel, which comes in a pack with six 65 g servings.
This Joybuy selection includes biscuits for a sweet break and one product sold as a cookie bar. If you’re specifically looking for an individually wrapped bar, check the pack format when choosing.
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For a break when you fancy speculoos biscuits rather than a cookie bar.
The product name lists 8 biscuits and 200 g. Check how many biscuits you want to have as one serving.
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For anyone looking for milk chocolate biscuits during a study break, rather than a single cookie bar.
The pack is labelled 150 g. Check the portion format on the packaging if you want to take an individual snack with you.
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For a sweet break when you’d like to take fruit-flavoured sandwich biscuits with you.
The product name lists two individual packs weighing 97 g in total. If portion size matters, check how much is in each pack.
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For anyone considering mini biscuits as a sweet snack for a break instead of a bar.
The product name lists three 77 g packs. Check the label to see how many mini biscuits you’d like to have during each break, and review the nutritional information.
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If you’re specifically after a cookie bar, this product fits the snack format you’re looking for.
The product name lists six bars. Compare the current sugar and fibre information on the label; also check the weight of each bar and whether they’re individually wrapped.
Start with the nutritional values per 100 g, then check the weight of one bar. This lets you compare the same nutrients without treating a large serving and a small one as equal; check the ingredients and allergens too.
No. A claim like that doesn’t mean the nutritional information shows zero grams of sugar. Albert Heijn lists 7,6 g of sugar per 100 g for Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ granen, pitten & fruit, so always check both the ingredients and the nutritional information table.
Not just because you’re studying. If protein is one of your selection criteria, compare the serving size, sugar, saturated fat, salt and allergens with those of the other snacks you’re considering.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before eating the product. The products mentioned here differ in whether they contain rye, wheat, soya and peanuts, among other things, and in their warnings about possible traces. Don’t rely on the product name alone.
