The sugar-conscious student
You fancy a biscuit while studying, but keep an eye on its sugar content. The difference between 'sugar-free' and 'no added sugar' determines which pack you look at more closely.
Who does this matter to?
The Kano fan
You're mainly looking for a filled biscuit as a treat while revising. You know that the AH Roomboter kano's listed here aren't a sugar-free option.
The student who needs to check allergens
You read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before buying. A familiar product name or sugar claim doesn't tell you whether a biscuit is suitable for you.
What should you look for when choosing?
A Kano and a biscuit with no added sugar don't meet the same needs. First decide whether the filled biscuit, sugar information or ingredients matter most to you.
Regular Kano's
Suitable if: you want a filled biscuit as a treat while revising and it doesn't have to be sugar-free.
The trade-off: Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Roomboter kano's, so this isn't a route to a sugar-free biscuit.
Biscuits with no added sugar
Suitable if: you want to avoid added sugar and are looking for a biscuit rather than a filled Kano.
The trade-off: Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugar, but according to Verkade it contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn't sugar-free according to the limit cited by the Diabetes Fonds.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it's important to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar content and claims | Compare the sugars per 100 g and check whether the pack says 'sugar-free' or 'no added sugar'. The Diabetes Fonds sets the limit for 'sugar-free' at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I'm mainly watching my sugar intake while studying, I don't want to rely on the word 'zero'. For around 42% of consumers, being able to check the sugar content is a top priority. |
| Flavour and type of snack | Decide whether you'd prefer a filled Kano or a biscuit. Check the serving information too, so you know how much you're actually eating. | For my break, I specifically want a Kano with a filling; a biscuit won't necessarily satisfy that craving. Around 33% of consumers give filled biscuits top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the pack, even if you've bought the product before. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the packaging matters more than the flavour or sugar claim. This is the first concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming 'zero' means 'sugar-free'
Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for San Francisco Zero, while the Diabetes Fonds sets the limit for 'sugar-free' at no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. So 'no added sugar' and 'sugar-free' don't mean the same thing.
Read the exact claim and check the amount of sugars per 100 g too.
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Assuming a Kano is suitable as a sugar-free option
The AH Roomboter kano's for which Albert Heijn provides nutrition information contain 39 g of sugars per 100 g. A filled biscuit and a sugar-free snack are therefore different things to shop for.
Choose a Kano if you want a filled biscuit. If sugar-free is a requirement, look specifically at the nutrition information for another product.
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Skipping the allergen check on a familiar biscuit
A sugar claim tells you nothing about allergens. Albert Heijn's information for Roomboter kano's and Verkade's information for San Francisco Zero also list different ingredients and allergens.
Check the label on the specific pack every time you buy, including any allergen warnings.
Relevant brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn provides a reference point for a regular filled Kano.
- For AH Roomboter kano's, Albert Heijn lists ingredients, allergens and nutrition information; the sugar content is 39 g per 100 g.
- This product isn't suitable if you require a sugar-free option. Check the pack, as product information can change.
Verkade
With San Francisco Zero, Verkade offers a biscuit described by the brand as having 'no added sugar', rather than a filled Kano.
- Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for this biscuit, compared with the 39 g per 100 g Albert Heijn lists for AH Roomboter kano's.
- The biscuit isn't sugar-free according to the limit cited by the Diabetes Fonds. Verkade lists ingredients including wheat, milk, soya and maltitol.
Biscuits as an alternative to Kano's
This biscuit is a different type of snack from a filled Kano. If it claims to be sugar-free, assess that claim using the nutrition information on the pack, not just the product name.
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Panpan oat biscuits 216g
A biscuit to consider if you're not looking for a filled Kano while revising. Check the sugars per 100 g and the ingredients on the current pack before deciding whether this product meets your requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Are AH Roomboter kano's sugar-free?
No. Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Roomboter kano's, which is above the limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g that the Diabetes Fonds sets for the term 'sugar-free'.
Does 'no added sugar' mean the same as 'sugar-free'?
No. A product with no added sugar can still contain sugars. Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugar and lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so check the nutrition information too.
What should I look out for with these biscuits if I have an allergy?
Read the allergen information on the pack of the specific product. For Roomboter kano's, Albert Heijn lists ingredients including cereals containing gluten, milk, soya, egg and almond; for San Francisco Zero, Verkade lists ingredients including wheat, milk and soya. Don't rely on the product name or a previous purchase alone.
Why should I check the label for maltitol?
Verkade lists maltitol as an ingredient in San Francisco Zero. According to the Voedingscentrum, consuming large amounts of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea. Check the ingredients list if you want to know whether a biscuit contains polyols.