Who is this choice relevant to?

Students who are mainly watching their sugar intake

You want to choose biscuits for your new room based on their sugar content. The figure per 100 g helps you compare products without being swayed by words such as ‘zero’ or ‘less sugar’.

Students planning supplies for their move

You’re looking for a sweet snack for your first few days in your new room, and are considering pack size, portions and how to store it once opened. A biscuit and pre-sliced spiced cake are different options.

Students who want to share snacks

If you’ll be sharing with housemates or guests, check the ingredients, allergens and sweeteners used on the packaging first.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you’re after a crunchy biscuit, a stroopwafel or a soft, cake-like snack. Then compare similar products per 100 g and choose a pack that suits your moving plans.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters most to
Sugar content Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for similar biscuits and check which sweeteners are listed in the ingredients. I want to choose a biscuit for my new room based on its sugar content, whatever the wording on the front of the pack. Around 45% of consumers put this first.
Moving-in supplies Check the net weight, portion size and storage instructions once opened. If I have very little storage space, I want to choose packs I’ll actually finish. For around 27% of consumers, planning their supplies comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current allergen information, the type of sweetener and any warnings on the packaging. I want to share a snack without overlooking ingredients that matter to my housemates. Around 18% of consumers make this check their top priority.
Biscuit type and taste First choose between a biscuit, stroopwafel and soft spiced cake; then compare nutritional values within the same type. With my coffee, I’d rather have a familiar type of biscuit than an alternative with a completely different texture. This preference comes first for around 10% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘zero’ means low in calories

    A low sugar content doesn’t tell you how much energy a biscuit contains. Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% sugar.

    If both matter to you, compare sugars and kcal per 100 g in the nutrition table.

  • Assuming ‘less sugar’ means a low overall sugar content

    According to Albert Heijn, AH butter stroopwafels with less sugar contain 32% less sugar than the standard AH butter stroopwafels. The reduced-sugar version still lists 23 g of sugars per 100 g.

    For this type of claim, check which product it’s being compared with, as well as the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

  • Waiting until you’ve opened the pack to check the ingredients

    The products mentioned differ in their allergens and sweeteners. Some packs also warn of a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

    Check the ingredients, allergens and product-specific warnings before buying biscuits to share.

  • Comparing portion figures across different types of biscuits

    A portion can vary in size from one product to another, so the figures per portion don’t give you a direct comparison between packs.

    Start by comparing the nutritional information per 100 g. Then check the portion size to decide what to take with you or share out.

Brands to help you compare

The options mentioned range from biscuits to stroopwafels and soft cake bars. The type of product determines which comparisons will help you make the right choice.

Albert Heijn

The AH range in this comparison includes a digestive biscuit, stroopwafels and a spiced cake bar: three different types of product.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% sugar lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The reduced-sugar AH stroopwafels list 23 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the energy, allergens and sweeteners used for each version too; a spiced cake bar isn’t a biscuit.

Céréal

Choco Delight Puur is a sweetener-containing biscuit option for anyone looking for a chocolate biscuit.

  • Jumbo lists 0.5 g of sugars and 8.8 g of fibre per 100 g for Choco Delight Puur.
  • The same product lists 427 kcal per 100 g. If you’re sharing it, check the current packaging for allergens and possible traces.

Verkade

San Francisco zero is a biscuit option for anyone looking for a tea biscuit with no added sugar.

  • Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for this product.
  • The biscuit contains maltitols and allergens including wheat, milk and soya. Check the warning about excessive consumption too.

Peijnenburg

Pre-sliced wholemeal spiced cake with no added sugar is a soft, cake-like option, not a crunchy biscuit.

  • Jumbo lists 17 g of fibre and 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g for this product.
  • This product contains xylitol. The product information warns of a laxative effect if consumed in excess, and of the risk xylitol poses to animals.

Lotus Biscoff

Original speculoos is a useful reference if you want to compare an alternative in the same biscuit style.

  • A familiar product type to compare against the nutrition table when choosing a different speculoos biscuit.
  • Lotus Bakeries lists 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g for original Lotus Biscoff, so it’s not the right choice if you’re mainly looking for a low overall sugar content.

Joybuy products on this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No. A product with no added sugar may still contain naturally occurring sugars. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g: Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco zero.

Does a low-sugar biscuit automatically contain fewer calories?

No. The sugar content alone doesn’t tell you how much energy a product contains. Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% sugar; compare both figures if they matter to your choice.

What does the warning about a laxative effect mean?

This warning appears on some products containing polyols and relates to excessive consumption. Read the warning on the specific product’s packaging, as ingredients vary between versions.

What should I check if my housemates will be sharing the biscuits?

Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and possible traces for the product you want to share. The options mentioned differ in whether they contain wheat, milk and soya, among other things; don’t assume they have the same ingredients as another biscuit from the same brand.