If you have coeliac disease, choose a syrup waffle for your gym bag whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. Don’t treat a regular syrup waffle as an interchangeable alternative. If you also want to check how it was made, look for the Crossed Grain symbol on the variety you choose. Also read the allergen information and check how to keep the waffles sealed and store them according to the instructions.
They’re looking for a sweet snack to take in their gym bag and check the gluten-free label on the chosen packaging before buying. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, ‘gluten-free’ means less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product.
As well as checking the gluten-free label, they need to read the allergen information for the exact variety. The syrup waffles described from Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS list egg and lupin; Jumbo also states that they may contain nuts and sesame.
They should check the storage instructions, portion size and whether an opened pack can be sealed securely in their gym bag. Albert Heijn lists 30 g portions for its organic gluten-free syrup waffles.
If you have coeliac disease, start by checking the gluten-free label. Then check which other allergens are listed for the variety you’ve chosen and whether the packaging suits how you plan to carry the waffles.
| What to check | What to look for before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. If you wish, also check whether this variety bears the Crossed Grain symbol. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to know that the syrup waffle I’ve chosen is explicitly labelled gluten-free before packing it. For around 50% of consumers, this check would be the top priority when buying for the first time. |
| Other allergens | Read the allergen information for the exact variety, especially if you also need to avoid egg or lupin. | If you need to watch out for allergens as well as gluten, you won’t want to rely on the gluten-free label alone. This additional check would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Taking them with you and storage | Check the portion size, storage instructions and whether the pack can be sealed securely after opening. | For one training session, I want to take a suitable portion without putting an open packet in among my things. Practicality when taking them along would be the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
A standard product listing is not the same as a gluten-free label. If you have coeliac disease, it’s important to check the specific variety you’re choosing.
Read the current packaging before buying and only choose a variety that is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from egg or lupin. The gluten-free varieties described from Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS list both allergens.
Check the allergen information on the exact pack every time you buy. For the Jumbo variety, also look out for the statement about nuts and sesame.
The pack weight or portion size doesn’t tell you how the individual waffles are packaged.
If individual portions are important, check the physical packaging or use a clean, sealable snack box.
The gluten-free label says nothing about the sugar content or whether the waffle is suitable as sports nutrition.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g and, if provided, per portion to see how the syrup waffle you’ve chosen fits into your own diet.
Jumbo describes its 240 g syrup waffles as gluten-free; the product listing also mentions the Crossed Grain symbol.
Albert Heijn describes its 240 g organic syrup waffles as gluten-free and lactose-free, and lists portions of 30 g.
PLUS describes its 240 g syrup waffles as gluten-free and specially prepared for people with gluten intolerance.
Don’t assume that a regular syrup waffle is a gluten-free snack. Choose a variety whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’; according to the Dutch Coeliac Association, this label means less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product.
No, the gluten-free label says nothing about other allergens. The varieties described from Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS list egg and lupin, so read the allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
Keep the pack securely closed and follow the storage instructions for the variety you’ve chosen. PLUS advises storing its waffles somewhere cool, dry and dark. Check the packaging before buying if you want to take individually wrapped waffles with you.
No, a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you about the nutritional value or suitability of a product as sports nutrition. To assess this, compare the nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen, including the stated sugars per 100 g and any portion size provided.
