Who are these options for?

If sugar content is your main concern

You’re looking for a biscuit with a low figure for ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. If it contains sweeteners, you’ll also want to show your guests the warnings and allergen information.

If you want biscuits that are easy to hand out

You’re looking for handy portions for your Christmas party. Judge a ‘less sugar’ claim against the product the manufacturer compares it with; it doesn’t mean the product is sugar-free.

If you’re catering for a range of guests

You want to check the ingredients, allergens, sweeteners and portion size for the exact product before putting a plate out.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, compare similar biscuits by their nutritional values per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Then check that the packaging and ingredients are suitable for serving to your guests.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Sugars and energy For similar biscuits, compare ‘of which sugars’ and energy per 100 g. If I mainly want to serve biscuits with little sugar, I don’t want to rely on the front of the pack alone. Around 40% of consumers prioritise sugar content.
Portions and sugar claims Check how many biscuits make up a portion and which product ‘less sugar’ is compared with. For a party, I want to be able to hand out biscuits without mistaking a relative sugar claim for a sugar-free product. Around 30% of consumers prioritise both ease of serving and understanding the claim.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients, allergens, possible presence of other ingredients and warnings for the exact product. When guests need to avoid different ingredients, I want to know what’s on the table before anyone picks up a biscuit. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘0% sugar’ means low in calories

    Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker. So the sugar content alone doesn’t tell you how much energy this biscuit contains.

    Compare both sugars and energy per 100 g for similar products, then consider the portion you plan to serve.

  • Assuming ‘less sugar’ means sugar-free

    According to Jumbo, Sultana FruitBiscuits Banaan Appel contains at least 30% less sugar than Fruitbiscuit, but the product still lists 22.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

    When you see a comparative claim, always check what it’s being compared with as well as the nutritional values of the product you’ve chosen.

  • Checking the ingredients only after putting the biscuits out

    AH Digestive 0% suiker contains polyols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Allergens also vary between biscuits and product variants.

    Keep the packaging by the plate so guests can check the ingredients, allergens and warnings for themselves.

  • Comparing different portion sizes directly

    Nutritional values per portion can be misleading if one brand uses a different portion size from another.

    Compare similar biscuits per 100 g first; then use the portion information to plan how you’ll serve them.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% suiker is a biscuit made with sweeteners.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars, 14 g of polyols and 465 kcal per 100 g for this product.
  • It contains wheat, may contain other cereals containing gluten, and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Jumbo

Jumbo stocks products including Sultana FruitBiscuits Banaan Appel with less sugar and Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos.

  • According to Jumbo, the Sultana product comes in packs of three biscuits and contains at least 30% less sugar than Fruitbiscuit.
  • The Sultana product lists 22.7 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ingredients and allergens for each product you choose; Céréal Zonder Suikers Kokos is a different type of biscuit.

ALDI

ALDI lists a Goud Gebakken Koekhappers variant with 30% less sugar, containing six individually wrapped biscuits.

  • Individual wrapping can make the biscuits easier to hand out at a party.
  • Check the nutritional values, ingredients and allergens on the exact pack before choosing this product for your guests.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a caramelised biscuit to enjoy with coffee or as a treat.

  • It’s a familiar option to consider if you’re looking at different types of biscuits for your party.
  • That product description doesn’t make Biscoff a lower-sugar biscuit. Check the nutritional information for the exact product if you want to compare sugar content.

Cookie bars on Joybuy

This Joybuy option is a cookie bar in a pack of six, rather than a traditional biscuit. Consider whether a cookie bar is what you’d like to serve at your Christmas party.

g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, pack of 6 cookie bars

g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 bars

An option to consider if you’d like to serve cookie bars at your Christmas party. The pack contains six bars; check whether they’re individually wrapped before handing them out.

Compare the ‘Less Sugar’ claim with the stated reference product, and check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging for your guests.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean a Christmas biscuit is sugar-free?

No, the product may still contain sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean the same as sugar-free. For similar biscuits, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g.

How do I compare biscuits with different portion sizes?

First, compare similar biscuits per 100 g for sugars and energy, among other things. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this basis for comparison; then use the values per portion to decide how many biscuits to put out.

Are sugar-free biscuits automatically low in calories?

No. Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker. Check both nutritional values and how much you plan to serve.

What should I check on biscuits containing sweeteners?

Read the ingredients and any warnings for the exact product. AH Digestive 0% suiker contains polyols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that sweeteners are listed on the label.

Which allergens should I check for in these biscuits?

This varies between products. For AH Digestive 0% suiker, Albert Heijn lists wheat and the possible presence of other cereals containing gluten. The Sultana FruitBiscuits Banaan Appel variant described by Jumbo lists wheat, oats, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Always read the current packaging of the product you’re serving to your guests.