For a neighbourhood get-together, first compare the amount of sugars per 100 g; terms such as ‘zero’ and ‘no added sugar’ don’t mean the same thing. Then choose based on flavour and quantity, but check the current ingredients, allergens and sweetener warnings for every plate. A biscuit that’s low in sugar isn’t automatically suitable for every guest.
Wants to choose biscuits for a shared plate based on the stated amount of sugars, rather than just the wording on the front of the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g.
Checks for wheat and other gluten-containing cereals, milk, soya, egg, nuts and polyols before serving. Albert Heijn’s product information shows that these ingredients and warnings vary between the variants reviewed.
Wants to pair a biscuit with, for example, a speculoos and almond or chocolate variety. Flavour and pack size help you put together the plate; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a sugar claim doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value.
When comparing similar biscuits, start with the nutritional information per 100 g. Then check which ingredients and warnings matter to your guests, and finally choose the flavours and pack sizes that suit the get-together.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of sugars | For similar biscuits, compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and read exactly what the claim on the pack says. | If I want to serve biscuits with as little sugar as possible, I need to be able to compare the figures rather than rely on ‘zero’. Sugar content is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and sweeteners | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current label; if the product contains polyols, also check the warning about excessive consumption. | When guests avoid certain ingredients, I want to know which biscuits I can offer them and what warnings apply. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flavour and quantity | Check the flavour, net weight and number of biscuits or stated servings. | For a plate with a range of flavours, I want to serve enough biscuits without relying solely on the manufacturer’s serving size. Around 20% of consumers give this consideration priority. |
A biscuit with no added sugar may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Albert Heijn states that Verkade San Francisco zero contains 0% added sugar and 1.7 g sugars per 100 g.
So check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information per 100 g, as well as the wording on the front of the pack.
The amount of sugars describes just one part of the nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends checking other figures in the nutrition table.
For similar biscuits, compare energy, fat and saturated fat per 100 g too, without judging the whole product on the basis of one figure.
The variants described by Albert Heijn differ in their ingredients: AH Digestive 0% sugar contains wheat, Verkade San Francisco zero contains wheat, milk and soya, and Céréal Speculoos stukjes amandel lists almond, egg, milk, soya, wheat and barley, among other ingredients.
If needed, ask guests in advance which ingredients they avoid and keep the current packaging by the plate so they can check what’s in the biscuits for themselves.
The stated serving size can vary from one product to another. That means the figure per biscuit doesn’t automatically show how two packs compare.
Use the net weight and number of biscuits to plan your plate; compare the nutritional values of similar biscuits per 100 g.
These examples relate to specific biscuit varieties, not a brand’s full range. Check the packaging of the variety you buy.
AH Digestive 0% sugar is a 400 g pack of biscuits that Albert Heijn describes as vegan and lactose-free.
The varieties reviewed include a speculoos and almond biscuit and a chocolate biscuit.
San Francisco zero is the tea biscuit variety reviewed, which Albert Heijn describes as containing 0% added sugar.
No, it may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Albert Heijn states that Verkade San Francisco zero contains 0% added sugar and 1.7 g sugars per 100 g, so always check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information.
Compare similar biscuits per 100 g so that different serving sizes don’t affect the comparison. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists energy, fat, sugars and salt, among other things, in the nutrition table; also check the ingredients if you’re considering guests who avoid certain foods.
Read the ingredients and the warning on the pack before serving them. For the AH Digestive and Céréal Speculoos varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn lists polyols and a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Follow the storage advice on the relevant pack. For AH Digestive 0% sugar, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a sealed tin after opening; the product information for Verkade San Francisco zero recommends keeping them in a cool, dry place.
