Consumers who need a strictly sugar-free product
You only want to choose a snack for your gym bag if the packaging shows that it meets the requirements for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.
Who is this relevant to?
People doing a short workout
You’re thinking of taking something with you for a workout lasting less than an hour, but don’t want to assume that a sweet topping is essential sports nutrition.
Aniseed fans who don’t need a sugar-free product
You’re looking for crushed aniseed sprinkles to top bread, crispbread or yoghurt, and are happy for the regular variety to contain sugar.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether sugar-free is essential. Then consider whether you want a snack to take with you for your workout or are simply looking for an aniseed topping.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Whether it is genuinely sugar-free | Check the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g or 100 ml on the packaging. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, ‘sugar-free’ means a maximum of 0.5 g. | If I take something labelled ‘sugar-free’, I want to be sure its nutritional values back up the claim; around 50% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| When to snack around your workout | Consider how long you’ll be exercising. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sports bars and gels aren’t necessary for exercise lasting less than an hour. | For a short workout, I don’t automatically want to take a sweet product as sports nutrition; around 30% of consumers put the timing of their snack first. |
| Aniseed flavour and use as a topping | Decide whether you’re looking for a sprinkle-on topping for bread, crispbread or yoghurt. If you have any relevant dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | I’m mainly looking for an aniseed flavour to add to my bread, crispbread or yoghurt, even if the topping isn’t sugar-free; this matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming an aniseed flavour means it is sugar-free
WorldwideHolland’s product specifications list sugar as the first ingredient in regular De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, with 79 g of sugars per 100 g. This does not meet the limit for a ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
If sugar-free is essential, check both the claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml on the packaging.
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Thinking of a sweet topping as essential sports nutrition
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sports bars and gels aren’t necessary for exercise lasting less than an hour. Jumbo describes crushed aniseed sprinkles as a topping for bread, crispbread and yoghurt.
First decide whether you want something to eat around your workout, rather than choosing a topping just because you’re exercising.
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Relying only on an online allergen list
WorldwideHolland’s product specifications list milk and wheat; Albert Heijn warns that ingredient and allergen information may change.
If you have a relevant dietary restriction, check the label on the packaging you’re actually using.
A relevant brand to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes is an aniseed topping. Jumbo suggests using it on bread and crispbread, or in yoghurt.
- Its sprinkle-on format is ideal if you’re specifically looking for crushed aniseed sprinkles as a spread or topping.
- WorldwideHolland lists sugar as the first ingredient in the regular variety, with 79 g of sugars per 100 g. This variety isn’t suitable if you need a strictly sugar-free product.
- The same product specifications list milk and wheat. Check the current packaging if these ingredients are important to you.
Joybuy products to help you choose
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is regular De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes sugar-free?
No. WorldwideHolland lists 79 g of sugars per 100 g for the regular variety. EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.
Do I need a sweet sports snack for a workout lasting less than an hour?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sports bars and gels aren’t necessary for exercise lasting less than an hour. Decide whether to eat something around your workout based on the timing and how hungry you are, rather than assuming that crushed aniseed sprinkles are a sports product.
Which allergens should I check in regular crushed aniseed sprinkles?
WorldwideHolland’s product specifications list milk and wheat in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. Check the label on the packaging you buy, as ingredient information can change.
Is anything containing aniseed automatically sugar-free?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 1.6 g of sugars per tablespoon (5 g) of aniseed. For a packaged product, check the nutritional information for the whole product, not just the name of one ingredient.