De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes are not a no-added-sugar spread: Albert Heijn lists sugar as the first ingredient, while Jumbo states that they contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. For everyday snacks, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends vegetables, fruit and wholemeal bread. For bread toppings, it suggests 100% peanut butter or nut butter with no added salt or sugar, provided the ingredients and allergens are suitable for your child. If you do want to give them muisjes, keep them as a small festive treat and check the current label.
You’re looking for an everyday bread topping or snack for your young child that doesn’t involve a sweet sprinkle topping. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables for snacks, and 100% peanut butter or nut butter with no added salt or sugar as a bread topping.
You want to keep the aniseed flavour and tradition, while distinguishing between a small festive treat and the snacks you give your child regularly.
You’re checking whether a topping or snack is suitable for your child’s allergies and eating skills. Albert Heijn lists wheat in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and peanuts in Calvé 100% pinda's fijn.
When: you’re looking for a small, occasional aniseed treat.
Consider: the De Ruijter variety reviewed contains added sugar, so it isn’t suitable if you’re looking for a no-added-sugar option.
When: you’re looking for a bread topping with no added salt or sugar for an everyday meal.
Consider: check that peanuts or nuts are suitable for your child.
When: you’re looking for an everyday snack rather than a festive bread topping.
Consider: prepare vegetables and fruit in a way that’s suitable for a young child.
When choosing a bread topping or snack for a young child, different needs may take priority:
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Read the ingredients list and check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Sugar-free and no added sugar do not mean the same thing. | I don’t want to choose a sweet topping for everyday bread or snack times. Around 42% of consumers prioritise an everyday choice with no added sugar. |
| Festive occasions | Decide whether you’re buying something for an occasional treat or for everyday use; if it’s a topping, check the portion size too. | For me, the aniseed flavour is for a special occasion, not every snack. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this festive use. |
| Allergens and food texture | Check the allergens on the packaging and make sure the food’s texture is suitable for your child. | If my child needs to avoid certain ingredients or is still getting used to some textures, that matters more than the flavour. Around 17% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
| Shopping routine | Check the current range, and read the label again even if it’s a product you know and trust. | I’m looking for something I can pick up during my usual shop and keep using at home. This practical choice is the priority for around 16% of consumers. |
According to Albert Heijn, sugar is the first ingredient in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes; Jumbo states that they contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check both the ingredients list and the nutritional information before deciding whether the product suits your needs.
For snacks, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from its Wheel of Five guidelines for young children, such as vegetables, fruit and wholemeal bread.
Save sweet toppings for a small, occasional celebration and choose something else for everyday snacks.
De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes contain wheat. Calvé 100% pinda's fijn contains peanuts and states that the product may contain nuts.
Check the allergens on the current packaging. Don’t automatically choose peanut butter if peanuts or possible traces of nuts are a problem for your child.
Young children need extra care with the way fruit, vegetables and nuts are prepared, too. Small, round fruit and whole nuts or peanuts can pose a choking risk.
Cut small tomatoes and grapes in half, and don’t give young children whole nuts or peanuts.
These brands and shops can help you identify the topping reviewed here and an alternative. Always check the ingredients for each product.
Gestampte Muisjes are a sweet aniseed topping for bread or crispbread, for example.
The smooth 100% peanut butter is an alternative to a sweet sprinkle topping.
The supermarket provides product information for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and Calvé 100% pinda's fijn.
The supermarket lists 270 g De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes in its muisjes category.
No. Albert Heijn lists sugar as the first ingredient in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes; Jumbo states that they contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g and 4.7 g per 6 g serving.
Not if you’re looking for an everyday snack without a sweet topping. For young children, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from its Wheel of Five guidelines, such as vegetables, fruit and wholemeal bread. It’s better to save muisjes for a small, occasional celebration.
For young children, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests 100% peanut butter or nut butter with no added salt or sugar as a bread topping. Check the ingredients and allergens, and only choose it if peanuts or nuts are suitable for your child.
Cut small grapes and tomatoes in half, and don’t give young children whole nuts or peanuts because of the choking risk. Also check the allergens in nut butter; a spreadable butter isn’t the same as whole nuts.
Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. That’s why Albert Heijn recommends reading the product packaging before use.
