Who are these choices relevant to?

Parents comparing sugar levels

When choosing biscuits for a school lunchbox, you want to compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.

Parents for whom allergens are a deciding factor

Before packing, you need to consider any allergens relevant to your child, their class or the school’s rules. The biscuits discussed here include ingredients such as wheat, milk, egg, soya and nuts.

Parents who consider portion size too

You’re looking for a biscuit that’s easy to pack, but you also want to know how many biscuits you’re packing and how they fit in with your child’s other meals and snacks.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the nutrition information per 100 g when comparing biscuits. Then check that the ingredients, allergens and portion you have in mind are suitable for the lunchbox.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Declared sugars Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, and check the ingredients if you also want to keep an eye on sweeteners. I want to know how much sugar a biscuit contains according to the label, even if the front says ‘no added sugar’. For around 46% of consumers, the sugar level is the main consideration when choosing.
Allergens and school rules Check the current packaging to see which allergens the product contains or may contain, and check the school’s rules. If an allergen is relevant to my child or their class, the biscuit needs to be suitable before it goes in the lunchbox. This is the most important requirement for around 36% of consumers.
Portion and eating occasion Consider how many biscuits you’re packing and how that portion fits in with the rest of the lunchbox and your child’s eating occasions. I want to pack something simple without losing sight of portion size or the other snacks. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘0%’ means there are no sugars in the product

    ‘No added sugar’ and the declared amount of sugars aren’t the same thing. Albert Heijn’s product information states that Verkade San Francisco Zero has 0% added sugar and 1.7 g sugars per 100 g.

    Use the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g to make comparisons, and treat the wording on the front as additional information.

  • Assuming a low sugar level means the biscuit is suitable for people with allergies

    The biscuits discussed here with low declared sugar levels may contain wheat and other allergens. If your child has a relevant allergy, the sugar level isn’t the deciding factor.

    Check the allergen information on the packaging you’re actually putting in the lunchbox, and follow the school’s rules.

  • Overlooking sweeteners and polyols

    Several of the products discussed contain sweeteners or polyols. Albert Heijn warns that AH Digestive 0% suiker may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

    As well as checking the sugar level, read the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging, and decide how many biscuits you want to pack.

  • Relying only on an online product page

    When choosing a product based on allergens, ingredients and nutritional value, the information on the packaging you’re packing is what matters.

    Check that packaging again before packing the biscuit, especially if an allergen or school rule is a deciding factor.

Brands and product ranges compared

These product examples show why you need to check sugar levels, ingredients and allergens for each variant, rather than judging by brand alone.

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% suiker is an example of a biscuit with a low declared sugar level: Albert Heijn’s product information states that it contains 0.3 g sugars per 100 g.

  • For this variant, Albert Heijn states that it contains 0 g added sugars per 100 g.
  • This variant contains wheat, may contain barley, oats and rye, and contains polyols. Albert Heijn warns that it may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco Zero is a tea biscuit with 0% added sugar. Albert Heijn’s product information also states that it contains 1.7 g sugars per 100 g.

  • The added sugar claim may be relevant if that’s something you specifically want to keep an eye on.
  • According to the product information, this variant contains naturally occurring sugars and sweeteners, as well as wheat, milk and soya. Other cereals containing gluten may also be present.

Céréal

Among the Céréal variants discussed here, the product pages state that Speculoos stukjes amandel zonder suikers contains 0.4 g sugars per 100 g, while Minder Suikers Choco Delight Puur contains 0.5 g per 100 g.

  • Each variant has its own ingredients and allergen information to compare alongside its sugar level.
  • Both use sweeteners or polyols. The speculoos variant includes wheat, almonds, egg, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Choco Delight includes wheat, oats, egg, milk and soya, among other ingredients, and may contain nuts and sesame.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Céréal Minder Suikers Choco Delight Puur as containing 0.5 g sugars per 100 g.

  • For this specific product listing, you can check the nutritional information, ingredients and allergens together.
  • The information about this Céréal product doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients in other biscuits in Jumbo’s range.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No, the product may still contain sugars. For example, Albert Heijn’s product information states that Verkade San Francisco Zero has 0% added sugar and contains 1.7 g sugars per 100 g. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition information too.

What should I check for allergens when packing a school lunchbox?

If any allergens are relevant to your child or their class, check which allergens the biscuit contains or may contain according to the current packaging. The products discussed here include wheat or may contain other cereals containing gluten. You should also check the school’s rules.

How should sweeteners or polyols affect my choice?

They’re a reason to check the ingredients and warnings for the specific biscuit, as well as its sugar level. Albert Heijn warns that AH Digestive 0% suiker may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess. Check the packaging and decide carefully how many biscuits to pack.

Is a lower-sugar biscuit automatically suitable as a daily snack?

No, the sugar level alone doesn’t determine where a biscuit fits into your child’s daily eating routine. Consider the portion and the rest of what your child takes with them. The Voedingscentrum also recommends vegetables and fruit as snacks for children aged 4 to 12, and advises having no more than four eating or drinking occasions between meals.