Who is this choice relevant to?

People choosing for someone with coeliac disease

Before comparing sugar, they want to check that the specific biscuit is labelled ‘gluten-free’ and review its allergen information.

Sugar-conscious shoppers looking for gluten-free options

Once they have confirmed that a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet, they compare sugars per 100 g and per portion. For biscuits containing sweeteners or polyols, they also check the ingredients and usage warnings.

Shoppers looking for familiar biscuits to enjoy with a cuppa

For example, they may be looking for a gluten-free biscuit, digestive or spiced biscuit to enjoy at a familiar mealtime. The type of biscuit and its sugar content need to be checked for each variety.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the gluten-free label and allergen information. Only then compare sugar content within the same type of biscuit. Let taste and portion size guide your choice between suitable varieties.

What to look for What to check when buying Most relevant to
Suitability for a gluten-free diet Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the specific product and read the allergen information. If a biscuit contains oats, don’t assume it is suitable based on that ingredient alone. When I’m buying a biscuit for someone with coeliac disease, I first want to be sure the product is sold as gluten-free. For around 50% of consumers, this check comes first.
Less sugar Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across similar biscuits, and check the portion size too. If the biscuit contains polyols, read the usage warning. After checking for gluten, I want to see whether my chosen biscuit contains less sugar than a similar variety. Around 30% of consumers give this comparison top priority.
Type of biscuit and portion Choose the type of biscuit you want and check the portion size and current packaging. For a biscuit with my coffee, I’m looking for a familiar type in a portion that suits the occasion. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers choosing between products that meet their requirements.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sugar-free’ means gluten-free

    According to Albert Heijn, the Céréal sugar-free Chocolate Chip Cookie reviewed contains wheat and gluten-containing cereals. The Céréal sugar-free Speculoos with Almond reviewed also lists gluten-containing cereals.

    First check whether the specific biscuit is explicitly labelled gluten-free; only then assess its sugar information.

  • Assuming gluten-free means low in sugar

    Schär lists 16 g of sugars per 100 g for the Butterkeks reviewed and 25 g per 100 g for Speculoos. Jumbo lists 32.7 g per 100 g for the Lekker Vrij Digestives with Milk Chocolate reviewed. So a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you how much sugar a variety contains.

    Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g within the same type of biscuit, then consider the portion you plan to eat.

  • Overlooking a usage warning

    For the Céréal biscuits containing maltitol reviewed, Albert Heijn’s product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    For biscuits containing polyols, read the ingredients and the warning on the packaging, even if the nutrition information shows low sugar levels.

  • Relying only on older online product information

    Albert Heijn points out that a product’s ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.

    Check the physical packaging again, especially if the packaging or recipe looks different from before.

Brands to help you choose

A gluten-free range or a sugar claim doesn’t, on its own, mean a biscuit meets both requirements. Always check the individual variety.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists various types of gluten-free biscuits in this range, including spiced biscuits and almond biscuits.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the AH Glutenvrij almond biscuits reviewed are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • Albert Heijn lists 29 g of sugars per 100 g for this almond variety. That figure alone doesn’t support a claim that the biscuit contains less sugar than a similar product.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

The Lekker Vrij range from Jumbo includes gluten-free spiced biscuits and digestives.

  • According to Jumbo, the Lekker Vrij Digestives with Milk Chocolate reviewed carry the Crossed Grain trademark.
  • Jumbo lists 32.7 g of sugars per 100 g for these digestives and names milk, oats and soya in the product information. Check the allergens and sugar content for the specific variety.

Schär

Schär offers Butterkeks and Speculoos, among other products, which the brand labels gluten-free.

  • According to Schär, the Butterkeks and Speculoos reviewed are labelled gluten-free.
  • Schär lists 16 g of sugars per 100 g for Butterkeks and 25 g per 100 g for Speculoos. If your aim is to eat less sugar, compare either variety with a similar biscuit.

Céréal

The Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookies and Speculoos with Almond reviewed are sold by Albert Heijn as ‘sugar-free’.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g and 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g respectively for these two varieties.
  • According to Albert Heijn’s allergen information, both varieties reviewed contain wheat and gluten-containing cereals. They are therefore not gluten-free options for the purposes of this article.

Lotus Biscoff

The Lotus Biscoff Speculoos reviewed can be a familiar biscuit to use when comparing spiced biscuit varieties.

  • For this standard variety, Albert Heijn lists wheat and gluten-containing cereals, as well as 38 g of sugars per 100 g. This isn’t a gluten-free variety.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a sugar-free biscuit automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the Céréal sugar-free biscuits reviewed contain wheat and gluten-containing cereals. First check whether the specific biscuit is explicitly labelled gluten-free.

What should I check if a biscuit contains oats?

Check whether the specific biscuit is labelled gluten-free; don’t assume it is based on the word ‘oats’ in the ingredients list. Also read the allergen information on the current packaging.

How do I compare two biscuits if I want to eat less sugar?

Where possible, compare similar biscuits by looking at ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, then check the amount per portion. Only make this comparison once you’ve checked that the biscuit is suitable for a gluten-free diet if you have coeliac disease.

What should I do if there’s a warning about possible cross-contamination?

Read the warning alongside the other allergen information and check whether the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. A warning about possible cross-contamination does not replace a gluten-free label.