Who are these choices relevant to?

Gym-bag snacker keeping an eye on sugar

You’re looking for a biscuit to take with you and want to know how much sugar you’re actually consuming per 100 g and per portion, rather than relying on the front of the pack.

Sporty shopper mindful of polyols

You want to try a lower-sugar biscuit, but you’re keeping an eye on sweeteners such as maltitol and xylitol. Products containing polyols may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess, as noted by Voedingscentrum and on relevant product pages.

Label reader with allergies or dietary requirements

You need to check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variant. Sugar-conscious biscuits may contain wheat, milk, soya, egg or nuts, among other ingredients; a statement about sugar tells you nothing about these.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the biscuit’s nutritional information, then decide whether the portion, ingredients and time you plan to eat it suit your needs.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugars and claims Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per portion you intend to eat. If a product claims ‘less sugar’, check what it’s being compared with. I want to know how much sugar my biscuit contains, even if it says ‘zero’ or ‘less sugar’. For around 36% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority.
When you’ll eat it Consider how long it is until your workout and how large your portion is. If I’m exercising soon after eating, I don’t want to take a large, unfamiliar snack with me. For around 21% of consumers, choosing the right time to eat is the top priority.
Portability and polyols Check the packaging, the number of biscuits per portion and which sweeteners are used. Don’t try a new product for the first time just before a workout. My snack needs to fit in my gym bag, and I want to know how I react to the sweeteners. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portability and tolerance.
Allergens and dietary requirements Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant, and check any dietary claims separately. If I have an allergy or specific dietary requirement, I need to be able to check whether this particular biscuit is suitable for me. For around 14% of consumers, this is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    According to Albert Heijn, AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than the regular AH version, but still have 23 g of sugars per 100 g. Comparing it with another product doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuit itself contains.

    Check the ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 g and work out how much sugar is in your portion.

  • Trying a biscuit containing polyols just before exercising

    Several variants with low stated sugar content contain polyols. Voedingscentrum and product pages warn that consuming them in excess may have a laxative effect.

    Check the ingredients and try a new biscuit at a time when you’re not about to work out.

  • Thinking of a biscuit as a complete meal

    Sugar content alone doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit suits what you want to eat around a workout. Voedingscentrum recommends having a meal around 2–3 hours before exercising.

    Decide whether you’re looking for a small snack to take with you or need a meal, then choose a portion to suit the occasion.

  • Overlooking allergens in a sugar-conscious biscuit

    Variants in this category may contain wheat, milk, egg, soya or almonds, among other ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on labels.

    Check the packaging of the exact variant every time you buy it, even if you’ve eaten the product before.

Brands and product ranges compared

Céréal

Céréal offers biscuit variants with no sugars, but the nutritional information varies by flavour.

  • According to Jumbo, Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos Smaak contains 0 g of sugars per 100 g; the pack contains 3 × 4 biscuits.
  • According to the product information, the Speculoos variant with almond pieces contains wheat, almond, milk, egg and soya, among other ingredients. Check the sweeteners listed for both variants too.

Albert Heijn

The AH own-brand range includes biscuits, ontbijtkoek and stroopwafels with a range of sugar claims.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% suiker contains 0,3 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g. In this case, the ‘less sugar’ claim doesn’t mean the biscuit is sugar-free.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco zero is a biscuit labelled ‘0% added sugar’.

  • According to Albert Heijn, this variant contains 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g, so ‘no added sugar’ doesn’t mean ‘no sugars’ in this case.
  • The product information lists maltitols and the allergens wheat, milk and soya, as well as a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg volkoren ontbijtkoek zonder toegevoegde suikers is sliced ontbijtkoek, not a biscuit.

  • According to Jumbo, the wholegrain variant contains 4,9 g of sugars and 17 g of fibre per 100 g; the pack contains 12 slices.
  • The variant contains xylitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean a biscuit contains no sugars?

No, a product may still contain sugars. According to Albert Heijn, Verkade San Francisco zero is labelled 0% added sugar and contains 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g. So always check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information.

Is a low-sugar biscuit suitable just before exercising?

A small, familiar portion may work as a snack, but consider how long it is until your workout. Voedingscentrum recommends having a meal around 2–3 hours before exercising; it’s best not to try a new biscuit for the first time just before you work out.

Why do biscuits with sweeteners sometimes carry a warning?

Products with a high amount of added polyols may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess. According to Voedingscentrum, this warning appears on foods containing more than 10% added polyols. Read the ingredients and warning for the variant you choose.

How do I check allergens in a biscuit for my gym bag?

Read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact variant. A claim about reduced or no added sugar tells you nothing about whether it contains wheat, milk, soya, egg or nuts, for example.