If you want your first student food shop to include chocolate flakes in particular, choose a pack of flakes and check the nutritional information for that specific product. If reducing sugar is your main priority, chocolate sprinkles could be an alternative, but they aren’t flakes: AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g, while Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers lists 7,7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. So be sure to check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging too.
You want a sweet topping for your new room, but would rather check the sugars per 100 g than rely solely on a claim on the front of the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g.
You’re looking for chocolate flakes for breakfast or lunch, and the shape and texture matter to you. Chocolate sprinkles with less sugar could be an alternative to consider, but they won’t give you the same texture as flakes.
As well as the sugar content, you want to know whether a topping contains polyols or any allergens that matter to you. Product information from Albert Heijn and Céréal shows why it’s important to check each pack.
First decide whether you want flakes for their texture or whether you’re also open to chocolate sprinkles. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check that the ingredients and pack size suit the way you’ll use them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and claims | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g and check which product a ‘less sugar’ claim is compared with. Albert Heijn says AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker has 30% less sugar than AH Chocolade hagel puur, but it still contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I want to buy something with less sugar, I want to know how much sugar the topping actually contains. Around 50% of shoppers prioritise this comparison. |
| Pack size and how you’ll use it | Check the weight of the pack and think about how much you’re likely to use. A larger pack isn’t necessarily more practical if it’s going to be open for a long time. | For my first food shop, I want to choose a pack I’ll actually finish. For around 30% of shoppers, this practical consideration is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and product type | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings. Céréal lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g for its sprinkles and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; sprinkles also have a different texture from flakes. | If I’m considering an alternative with less sugar, I want the ingredients and texture to suit my preferences. Ingredients and tolerance are the main priorities for around 20% of shoppers. |
‘Less sugar’ means a product is being compared with another product. Albert Heijn says AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker has 30% less sugar than AH Chocolade hagel puur, but it still contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g.
Always check the ‘of which sugars’ amount per 100 g as well as the claim.
The products with less sugar mentioned here are chocolate sprinkles. If you’re specifically looking for the texture of chocolate flakes, these are a different type of topping.
Before you buy, decide whether the texture of flakes matters more to you than a claim about reduced sugar, and check the label of the product you choose.
A lower sugar content doesn’t tell you what other ingredients a product contains. Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers lists polyols and soya, may contain milk, and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging, especially if there are certain ingredients you want to avoid.
De Ruijter makes chocolate flakes in various flavours, including milk, dark and white chocolate, in the flakes category shown by Jumbo.
Jumbo offers its own-brand regular chocolate flakes, including 300 g varieties.
AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker is chocolate sprinkles, making it an alternative if you’re not set on flakes.
Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers is another chocolate sprinkles option for shoppers who are mainly comparing the stated sugar content.
No, ‘less sugar’ doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’. Albert Heijn compares AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker with AH Chocolade hagel puur and lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for the reduced-sugar variety.
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and bear in mind that they’re different types of product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis for comparison; also check the ingredients, allergens and how much you use. A claim on chocolate sprinkles won’t tell you how much sugar is in a pack of flakes.
Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. If you’re considering a product containing polyols, read the warning and ingredients on the packaging.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you buy. For the chocolate sprinkles mentioned, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place; check the specific instructions for other products.
