Who might be interested in these biscuits?

Commuters keeping an eye on their sugar intake

You want a biscuit with your coffee and compare the sugars per 100 g rather than relying on the claim on the front of the pack. If a product contains sweeteners, check the ingredients and warnings too.

Coffee drinkers looking for a familiar treat

You’d rather choose a familiar type of biscuit or stroopwafel with a stated sugar reduction. Comparing it with the standard version can help, but that alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains.

Commuters who want to take a clearly defined portion

For a coffee break on the train or at the office, check the amount per biscuit, whether the pack is divided into individual portions and how to store it after opening.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by comparing the nutritional information per 100 g. Then check the portion size and ingredients of the product you plan to take with you.

What to look for What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugars Compare sugars per 100 g, then check the amount per biscuit. If the pack says ‘less sugar’, check which product it’s being compared with. If I’m mainly looking for a biscuit that’s low in sugars, a sugar-reduction claim doesn’t tell me the amount I need to know. Around 40% of consumers prioritise the actual sugar content.
Portion size and packaging Check the weight per biscuit, whether the pack is divided into individual portions and how to store it after opening. For a coffee break on the go, I want to know in advance how much I’m taking and be able to put the pack away easily. A clearly defined portion is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and nutritional information Read the allergen information and warnings about sweeteners. Also compare fat and salt per 100 g. If I need to consider ingredients or the rest of the nutritional information, a low sugar value on its own isn’t enough to help me choose. Around 30% of consumers look at this first.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘less sugar’ to mean ‘low in sugars’

    According to Albert Heijn, AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than the standard AH Roomboter stroopwafels, but still list 23 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, including sugars and saturated fat, then consider how much you’ll have with one coffee.

  • Overlooking sweeteners in ‘zero’ products

    AH Digestive 0% suiker and Verkade San Francisco Zero, among others, contain sweeteners. Their product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and warnings on the pack before choosing a product you plan to take with you regularly.

  • Missing allergen information because you’re focused on sugar

    A sugar claim tells you nothing about allergens. The biscuits reviewed differ in this respect: AH Digestive contains wheat, while Verkade San Francisco Zero also lists milk and soya.

    Check the current allergen information on the pack, especially if you’re buying for someone else.

  • Assuming the packaging hasn’t changed

    The ingredients, nutritional values and portion size on the pack you actually buy are what matter when making your choice.

    Check these details again just before buying, and make sure the packaging suits the way you want to store the biscuit while you’re out.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% suiker and AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels represent two different choices: a biscuit with a low stated sugar content and a stroopwafel with a relative reduction in sugar.

  • AH Digestive lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • Digestive contains polyols and carries a warning about excessive consumption. The stroopwafel still lists 23 g of sugars per 100 g, so don’t compare these products based on their claims alone.

Céréal

The Céréal Coconut biscuits without sugars and Choco Delight Puur reviewed here are options for anyone who prioritises the amount of sugars per 100 g.

  • According to Jumbo, the coconut version lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g and 2.0 g of polyols per 11 g biscuit.
  • Choco Delight Puur lists 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g and 2.5 g of polyols per 10.5 g biscuit. For both versions, check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a no-added-sugar biscuit for anyone looking for this type of biscuit to have with coffee.

  • Product information from Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The variety contains sweeteners and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Wheat, milk and soya are listed as allergens.

Lotus Biscoff

Original Speculoos is a point of reference if you’re looking for a classic speculoos biscuit to have with coffee, rather than a version with a stated sugar reduction.

  • Individually wrapped biscuits make it easy to see your portion size.
  • Product information from Albert Heijn lists sugar as an ingredient and gives the sugar content of Original Speculoos as 38 g per 100 g.

ALDI

Goud Gebakken Koekhappers minder suiker are a soft, ontbijtkoek-style snack for on the go, rather than a biscuit.

  • ALDI lists six individually wrapped cakes in this product range.
  • For the less-sugar version you choose, check the sugars per 100 g and per cake. A reduction claim alone doesn’t allow you to compare it with biscuits.

Lidl

Ontbijtkoek Zero is an ontbijtkoek, so it’s a different type of product from a biscuit to have with coffee.

  • Lidl product information lists a pack size of 485 g.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and portion size on the pack before choosing ontbijtkoek as an alternative to a biscuit.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No. These descriptions don’t tell you the same amount of sugars per 100 g. According to product information from Jumbo, Céréal Kokos zonder suikers lists 0 g per 100 g, while AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels contain 23 g per 100 g, according to Albert Heijn. Look beyond the claim and check the nutritional information and your portion size.

Can I choose a sugar-free biscuit if I want to avoid sweeteners?

Not without checking the ingredients: the AH Digestive 0% suiker and Céréal Kokos zonder suikers reviewed here contain polyols. Check the pack of the specific biscuit to see which sweeteners it contains before making your choice.

What does the warning about a laxative effect mean?

For products such as AH Digestive 0% suiker and Verkade San Francisco Zero, the product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the warning on the current pack, and don’t assume that the word ‘zero’ tells you how much you’ll want to eat.

How can I take biscuits with me on my commute?

Choose a portion size and pack that are easy to take with you, and follow the storage instructions on the pack. Once it’s open, check how to keep the remaining biscuits sealed and dry.