If you want a sugar-free spread, don’t choose the standard De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes: according to Jumbo’s product information, sugar is at the top of the ingredients list and this variety contains 79 g of sugars per 100 g. A spread with no added sugar could be an option for breakfast, but it isn’t automatically sugar-free, nor does it replace a separate plan for carbohydrates and fluids on a long, intense bike ride.
If you’re looking for food to take with you on a long ride, consider carbohydrates and fluids separately from your breakfast spread. A sugar-free spread on its own isn’t a substitute for what you’ll want to take with you on the ride.
For a short or leisurely ride, your choice may depend mainly on what you usually have for breakfast. If you don’t need the aniseed flavour, compare spreads by their sugar and polyol content, even when the label says ‘no added sugar’.
If you specifically want the aniseed flavour and texture of Gestampte Muisjes, bear in mind that the standard De Ruijter variety contains sugar and wheat. Check the packaging if these ingredients matter to your choice.
If you’re considering Gestampte Muisjes or another spread for when you’re cycling, start with the main question: are you looking for something to take with you, do you want less added sugar at breakfast, or do you mainly want to keep the flavour of Muisjes?
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Food for a long ride | Choose carbohydrates and fluids for your ride based on its duration and intensity; assess breakfast spreads separately. | For a long, intense ride, I want to take food and drink that suit my ride. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this need for food on the go. |
| Less added sugar | Compare the ingredients and sugars per 100 g; if a spread contains sweeteners, check the polyols too. | At breakfast, I want to know how much sugar a sweet spread actually contains. For around 30% of consumers, reducing added sugar is the main priority. |
| Aniseed flavour and texture | Check whether you’re choosing Gestampte Muisjes or another type of spread, and read the sugar and allergen information for the standard variety. | I don’t want to swap the aniseed flavour and texture of Gestampte Muisjes for a fruit spread. This specific product choice matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
These labels don’t mean the same thing. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Hero Jam Zero strawberry, despite being labelled ‘no added sugar’, contains 3.2 g of sugars and 14 g of polyols per 100 g.
As well as the wording on the front, check the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g.
According to Jumbo, standard De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contains 79 g of sugars per 100 g. That figure doesn’t tell you what or how much food and drink will work for your bike ride.
Make your choice of breakfast spread separately from your choice of carbohydrates and fluids for a long, intense ride.
Albert Heijn’s product information for Hero Jam Zero strawberry includes a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients, and don’t try a product containing polyols for the first time just before a long bike ride.
Standard De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contains wheat. The ingredients and allergen information on product pages may differ from the packaging you buy.
Read the current packaging, especially if you need to avoid wheat or gluten.
Gestampte Muisjes for anyone specifically looking for an aniseed spread.
Hero Jam Zero strawberry is a fruit spread to consider if you’re looking for a different sweet spread with no added sugar, not a variety of Gestampte Muisjes.
Kokosbrood zero is a sliced spread for anyone who isn’t looking for aniseed flavour or the texture of Muisjes.
No. According to Jumbo’s product information, sugar is at the top of the ingredients list for the 270 g variety, which contains 79 g of sugars per 100 g.
No, not by itself. For a long, intense bike ride, the duration of the ride, carbohydrates and fluids are separate considerations; a label on a breakfast spread won’t tell you whether it’s practical to take with you.
Not necessarily. Albert Heijn labels Hero Jam Zero strawberry ‘no added sugar’, but it still contains 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g. So compare the label with the nutritional information.
Check the ingredients, sugars and carbohydrates per 100 g, as well as the allergens listed on the packaging. According to Jumbo, standard De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contains wheat; when you buy it, read the label on the packaging you’ll actually be using.
