Shoppers comparing sugar content
You’re looking for a savoury cracker to serve with afternoon coffee and want to compare the sugar content of similar products per 100 g, rather than relying on a claim on the front of the pack.
Who might find this choice relevant?
Shoppers who also consider fibre and protein
You want to take fibre or protein into account alongside sugars. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, older people have widely differing needs, so what matters to one person will depend partly on their individual circumstances.
Shoppers for whom texture matters
You’re looking for a light, thin or firmer cracker for the coffee table, while also checking the nutrition information and allergens. If someone has difficulty chewing or swallowing, the product name alone isn’t a good basis for choosing.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by comparing the sugar content per 100 g of similar crackers. Then decide which other qualities matter most to the people around the table: fibre or protein, or a pleasing shape and texture.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for similar crackers; assess carbohydrates separately. | I mainly want to know which cracker lists less sugar, without letting ‘low-carb’ determine my choice. Around 50% of shoppers prioritise comparing sugar content. |
| Fibre, protein and wholegrain | Check fibre and protein per 100 g, and review the ingredients and allergens. | If fibre or protein matters to me as well as sugars, I want to weigh up those nutritional values together. Around 30% of shoppers prioritise this nutritional profile. |
| Shape and ease of serving | Look at the shape and portion size; check the current packaging and whether the texture is suitable. | For my coffee break, the cracker needs to be pleasant to eat and practical to serve. This is the top priority for around 20% of shoppers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘low-carb’ means ‘lowest in sugars’
Carbohydrates and sugars are different values. ALDI lists 1.2 g of carbohydrates per cracker for Goud Gebakken Low Carb Crackers; that figure doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains per 100 g.
For this choice, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Assess carbohydrates separately only if they’re another factor you want to consider.
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Looking only at sugars
Salt, fibre and allergens can also affect your choice. Jumbo lists 0.98 g of salt per 100 g for Melba Crackers Volkoren and 0.57 g per 100 g for Jumbo Stevige Crackers Volkoren met Sesam en Lijnzaad; the products also differ in their ingredients.
Compare nutritional values on the same basis and, if you have allergies, read the full, current allergen information.
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Assuming one cracker is right for every older person
According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, older people are a diverse group. A preference for a particular nutritional value doesn’t tell you whether a cracker is suitable for someone with difficulty chewing or swallowing, or who follows a prescribed diet.
In these situations, discuss the choice with an appropriate healthcare professional and tailor it to the individual, rather than relying on a general product claim.
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Treating an online product description as the definitive label
Ingredients and nutritional information can change. This is especially important if a particular sugar value or allergen affects what you serve.
Before serving, check the current packaging, especially the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Bolletje
Bolletje Protein & Low Carb Crackers are worth considering if you’re comparing protein and fibre per 100 g as well as sugars.
- Albert Heijn lists 2.8 g of sugars, 17 g of fibre and 35 g of protein per 100 g for this variety.
- The same variety contains 28 g of fat and 484 kcal per 100 g, and includes wheat and sesame. These values don’t automatically apply to other Bolletje crackers.
Melba
Melba Crackers Volkoren are a light wholegrain option if the shape of the cracker matters to you too.
- Jumbo lists 3.1 g of sugars and 9.5 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
- Jumbo also lists 0.98 g of salt per 100 g. Check the allergens, including wheat, sesame and soya.
Jumbo
Jumbo Stevige Crackers Volkoren met Sesam en Lijnzaad are worth considering if you’re looking for a firm, seeded cracker.
- Jumbo lists 1.2 g of sugars, 12.9 g of fibre and 0.57 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- The product contains wheat, rye, barley and sesame, among other ingredients. Check that they’re suitable for the people you’re buying for.
Goud Gebakken (ALDI)
Goud Gebakken Low Carb Crackers are a product range to consider if you’re focusing on carbohydrates per cracker.
- ALDI lists 1.2 g of carbohydrates per cracker and notes that the product contains linseed.
- For a sugar-conscious choice, check the sugar value on the current packaging. Carbohydrates per cracker aren’t a substitute for this.
Lidl
Lidl lists Wasa Volkoren Crackers as a product available to buy in store.
- This is a useful option if you want to look for Wasa Volkoren in a local shop.
- Before comparing it with other crackers, check the packaging for sugars, salt, fibre and allergens.
Crackers on Joybuy
This selection includes wholegrain crispbread and other crackers for anyone looking for a savoury option to enjoy with coffee. Check the current nutritional information per 100 g for each product, and make sure the ingredients and texture are suitable for the people around the table.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers 300 g
An option to consider if you want to take fibre into account as well as sugars when choosing a cracker. Compare the values per 100 g on the current packaging and check the allergens.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers 235 g
A sourdough rye cracker to consider if you’d like to serve crispbread with coffee. Check the sugars, salt and allergens on the current packaging; the product name doesn’t indicate whether it’s suitable for someone with difficulty chewing or swallowing.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread 375 g
Wholegrain crispbread for anyone looking for a savoury cracker to enjoy with coffee. Compare the current values for sugars, fibre and salt with those of other wholegrain crackers, and read the allergen information.
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Leev Organic Low-Carb Tomato Oregano Crackers 80 g
A cracker with tomato and oregano flavour for anyone after a savoury taste. Assess the sugars separately from the low-carb claim, and check the salt and allergens on the current packaging too.
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Bolletje Light Whole Grain Crackers 190 g
A wholegrain cracker to consider if you’re looking for a light option for the coffee table. Compare the current sugar value per 100 g with other crackers and decide whether the texture is suitable.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare crackers if I want to keep an eye on sugars?
Compare similar crackers using the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends comparing labels per 100 g. Then check salt, fibre, ingredients and allergens too, and consider what you’ll put on the cracker.
Does ‘low-carb’ also mean low in sugars?
No. The ‘low-carb’ claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar a cracker contains. Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g separately, and use the carbohydrate value only if carbohydrates also matter to your choice.
Do older people need a special kind of cracker?
Not just because of their age. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, older people have widely differing needs. If someone is ill, has a reduced appetite, has difficulty chewing or swallowing, or follows a prescribed diet, personalised advice is more appropriate than a general recommendation about crackers.
How should I store crackers for a planned coffee afternoon?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the product you choose. Jumbo advises storing Melba Crackers Volkoren in a cool, dry place; for Bolletje Protein & Low Carb, Albert Heijn advises storing the product in a dark, dry place in a sealed container after opening.