The label-conscious fakeaway snacker
You’re looking for a crunchy base for toppings and want to know how much total sugar it contains, even if the front of the pack makes a claim about added sugars.
Who is this choice relevant to?
The carb-conscious topping fan
You compare carbohydrates and protein, but also check the energy, fat and allergens in a seed-based option.
The fibre- and salt-conscious platter maker
You want to factor in fibre without forgetting to check the salt in the crispbread, dip and savoury toppings separately.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, compare like-for-like crispbread per 100 g. Then decide whether sugar, carbohydrates or the balance of fibre and salt matters most for your evening.
| What to check | What to look at when buying | Especially relevant if |
|---|---|---|
| Total sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, and read the ingredients list if added sugar matters to you. | If I want a base that’s low in total sugars, I don’t want to rely on the wording on the front alone; for around 45% of consumers, checking sugar comes first. |
| Carbohydrates and protein | Check carbohydrates and protein alongside energy and fat per 100 g, and check for any relevant allergens. | If my main aim is to eat fewer carbohydrates, I don’t want to overlook the rest of the nutritional information in a seed-based option; around 33% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Fibre and salt | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check how much salt your chosen toppings and dips add. | For a platter with savoury toppings, I want to factor in fibre without forgetting the salt in the whole spread; this combination is the main priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at ‘no added sugars’ or ‘low carb’
The ‘of which sugars’ figure also includes naturally occurring sugars. Fewer carbohydrates alone don’t tell you how much fat or energy the crispbread contains.
Compare similar products per 100 g for sugars, carbohydrates, fibre, energy, fat and salt, and read the ingredients list too.
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Assuming high in fibre means low in salt
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Wasa High Fibre contains 26 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g. With savoury toppings, the salt in the rest of the spread counts too.
As well as the crispbread, check the nutritional information for any dips, cheese, cold meats and sauces you’re serving with it.
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Overlooking allergens in seed-based or high-protein options
The TastyBasics option described contains wheat, spelt, soya, sesame and barley, among other ingredients. The Wasa options described also contain gluten-containing cereals; ingredients vary by product.
Check the allergen declaration on the pack of the exact option you choose.
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Assuming all crispbread contains iodised baker’s salt
The word ‘salt’ doesn’t tell you which type of salt was used in that particular product or how much iodine it contains.
For information about iodine in a product, check the current label or ask the manufacturer.
Brands to compare
Wasa (Wasabröd)
The wholegrain rye and high-fibre options described are worth comparing as a base for savoury toppings.
- Albert Heijn lists 1.5 g of sugars and 20 g of fibre per 100 g for Wasa Wholegrain; for Wasa High Fibre, the figures are 2.0 g of sugars and 26 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The same product information lists 1.2 g of salt per 100 g for both options. Check the allergens on the pack you choose too: the high-fibre option described contains rye, wheat, oats and sesame, among other ingredients.
TastyBasics
The Low Carb option with poppy seeds and sesame described here is worth considering if you’re comparing carbohydrates and protein as well as sugars.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 33 g of carbohydrates, 23 g of protein and 3.3 g of sugars per 100 g for this option.
- It also contains 458 kcal and 23 g of fat per 100 g. The ingredients described include wheat, spelt, soya, sesame and barley.
Albert Heijn
AH Wholegrain Crispbread is an own-brand option to compare with other crispbreads for savoury toppings.
- Albert Heijn lists 3.4 g of total sugars, including 1.7 g of added sugars, and 12 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The ingredients list includes sugar; the product contains gluten and sesame. Check the current pack if its composition matters to your choice.
Crispbread at Joybuy
This selection includes crispbread for your own toppings and one filled snack if you’d rather serve something ready-made. Check the nutritional information on the exact pack you choose; a filled sandwich isn’t a neutral base for toppings.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread, 265 g
A wholegrain crispbread base for your choice of savoury toppings. Check the sugars and salt per 100 g on the pack, and read the ingredients list if you have allergies.
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Bolletje Light Crispbread Golden Crisp, 240 g
Crispbread to pair with toppings or a spread. Don’t take ‘light’ to mean it’s low in sugar: check the nutritional information per 100 g to compare.
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Wasa Wholegrain Crispbread, 260 g
A wholegrain option to use as a base for your own toppings. Check the salt content on the current pack before comparing it with another Wasa product, and read the label if you have allergies.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers, 300 g
A high-fibre option to compare if fibre matters to your choice. Joybuy lists 2.0 g of sugars and 26.0 g of fibre per 100 g for this pack; check the current label for salt and allergens.
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Wasa Cheese Sandwich, 3 x 31 g
A crispbread snack with a cheese filling if you don’t want to add your own toppings. It isn’t a neutral base for toppings; compare the nutritional information for the whole snack and check the allergens.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the sugar content of crispbread?
For similar products, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g; also read the ingredients list if you want to know whether sugar has been added.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean low in total sugars?
No. ‘Of which sugars’ also includes sugars that occur naturally in the ingredients. So check this figure even if the front of the pack says no sugars have been added.
Should I check the salt for a fakeaway night too?
Yes, check the salt in both the crispbread and the toppings. Dips, cheese, cold meats and sauces can all add to your intake, so the crispbread’s figure alone doesn’t give you the full picture of what’s on your plate.
Does ‘salt’ on the label mean the crispbread contains iodine?
No. The word ‘salt’ alone doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt was used or how much iodine this product contains. Check the label or ask the manufacturer for the exact composition.
How do I keep crispbread crunchy until fakeaway night?
Keep it somewhere dry and seal the pack securely after opening. Follow the storage instructions on your pack; for AH Wholegrain Crispbread, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a closed tin after opening.