Hosts looking to cut back on sugar
You want to serve a familiar biscuit with Christmas coffee, but are looking for a measurable reduction in sugar compared with a similar standard version.
Who are these options for?
Shoppers looking for the lowest stated sugar content
You focus mainly on the sugar content on the label and are happy with sweeteners or polyols, as long as you also check the ingredients and usage warning.
Shoppers catering for guests with different needs
You’re choosing biscuits for a group and want to compare portions, nutritional values, ingredients and allergens, as well as sugar content.
What should you look for when choosing?
A familiar biscuit with less sugar
A good fit if: you’re looking for a familiar flavour to enjoy with Christmas coffee and want to cut back on sugar compared with a clearly identified standard version.
The trade-off: less sugar doesn’t mean sugar-free. Albert Heijn states that its reduced-sugar butter stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than its standard AH butter stroopwafels; the reduced-sugar version still contains 23 g of sugars per 100 g.
Biscuits with no sugars and sweeteners
A good fit if: the stated sugar content matters more to you than a traditional biscuit flavour.
The trade-off: check the polyols, energy content and usage warnings too. Albert Heijn states that Céréal Chocolate chip cookie without sugars contains 0 g of sugars, 26 g of polyols and 414 kcal per 100 g.
Standard speculaas biscuits
A good fit if: a traditional biscuit to enjoy with coffee or dessert matters more than reducing sugar.
The trade-off: don’t consider this a low-sugar option: Albert Heijn states that Lotus Biscoff Speculoos XL contains 38 g of sugars per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Measurably less sugar | Check which standard version is used for comparison and compare sugars per 100 g. | I want to serve a familiar biscuit, but cut back on sugar compared with the standard version. For around 36% of consumers, this combination comes first. |
| As little sugar as possible | Check ‘of which sugars’ and any polyols per 100 g; also read the usage warning. | If the stated sugar content is the deciding factor for me, I’m happy for a biscuit to contain sweeteners. Around 29% of consumers give this top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. | For guests with an allergy or a preference about ingredients, I want to be able to work out which biscuits may be suitable for them first. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Portions for your guests | Check the pack size, number of biscuits and portion size. | I want to make sure there are enough biscuits to go round without relying on the size of the packaging alone. This is the first consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Relying only on ‘less sugar’ or ‘light’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, these labels alone don’t mean that a biscuit is low in sugars or energy.
Compare nutritional values per 100 g and, for ‘less sugar’ products, check which standard version is used as the reference.
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Overlooking the warning about polyols
Albert Heijn’s product information warns that the Céréal cookie and AH Digestive with sweeteners mentioned here may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Read the ingredients and the warning on the packaging before offering these biscuits to guests.
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Assuming low sugar means suitable for people with allergies
A lower sugar content tells you nothing about the presence of allergens or possible traces of them.
Ask guests about any relevant allergies and check the current allergen information on the packaging of each product.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The supermarket’s own brand offers, among other products, a Digestive labelled 0% sugar and butter stroopwafels with less sugar.
- Albert Heijn states that its butter stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than its standard butter stroopwafels.
- According to Albert Heijn, this version still contains 23 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the nutritional information on the pack you buy.
Céréal
A brand to consider if you’re specifically looking for a cookie with no stated sugars and containing sweeteners.
- Albert Heijn states that Céréal Chocolate chip cookie without sugars contains 0 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The same product information lists 26 g of polyols and 414 kcal per 100 g, as well as a warning about excessive consumption. Check the allergens too.
Goud Gebakken
An ALDI own-label brand with a Koekhappers version labelled ‘less sugar’.
- ALDI Netherlands states that this version contains 30% less sugar and comes with six individually wrapped biscuits.
- Compare sugars per 100 g and check for sweeteners and allergens on the pack in store before choosing.
Lotus Biscoff
An example of the traditional speculaas option for anyone who doesn’t consider reducing sugar a top priority.
- Albert Heijn states that Lotus Biscoff Speculoos XL comes in ten bags, each containing two biscuits.
- The product information lists 38 g of sugars per 100 g and wheat and soya as allergens.
Cookie bars on Joybuy
These cookie bars are labelled Less Sugar and could be a good fit for your Christmas table if you’d like to serve this type of bar. Assess the sugar claim using the nutritional information and the comparison product named on the packaging.
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g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 pieces
This pack contains six bars, making it suitable for a Christmas table where cookie bars are on the menu.
The product name says Less Sugar; check the sugars per 100 g on the packaging and see which standard version is used as the reference for the claim. If you’re buying for guests, read the allergen information too.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘less sugar’ mean a Christmas biscuit is sugar-free?
No, a biscuit with less sugar can still contain sugars. Albert Heijn states that its butter stroopwafels, with 32% less sugar than the standard AH version, still contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g. So compare both the reference product and the nutritional values.
Does a biscuit with no sugars automatically have a low energy content?
No, assess sugars and energy separately. Albert Heijn states that Céréal Chocolate chip cookie without sugars contains 0 g of sugars and 414 kcal per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also explains that a label such as ‘light’ doesn’t automatically mean a product is low in calories.
Why do some biscuits with no sugars carry a warning about excessive consumption?
The Céréal cookie and AH Digestive mentioned here contain polyols; their product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. If you want to serve these biscuits, read the warning and ingredients on the packaging.
How do I compare biscuits when packs list different portion sizes?
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then check the portion you actually plan to serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g.
How should I store opened Christmas biscuits?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the product you choose. For the AH biscuits mentioned here, Albert Heijn’s product information recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place and keeping them in a sealed tin once opened.