Who might find these options useful?

Shoppers comparing sugar content

You want to check the amount of sugars per 100 g before setting off, rather than relying solely on phrases such as ‘zero’ or ‘less sugar’.

Travellers who want to plan portions

You want to be able to grab a set portion during the journey, perhaps from an individual packet or from portions you’ve divided up in advance.

Travellers with questions about ingredients

As well as the nutritional information, you check for sweeteners, polyols and allergens. If you have an allergy, the information on the packaging of the product you choose is what matters.

What should you check before buying?

First, compare the amount of sugars per 100 g in similar products. Then check whether the packaging suits your journey and whether there are any ingredients or warnings you need to consider.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugars and claims Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g; for ‘less sugar’ claims, also check which product it’s being compared with. If my main aim is to eat less sugar, the nutritional information needs to suit my goal; the front of the pack alone isn’t enough. Around 42% of shoppers put this first.
Portions for the journey Check how many biscuits or packets the pack contains and look at the weight per portion. In the car, I want to be able to grab a portion without leaving a large pack open. For around 25% of shoppers, convenience comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warning about polyols. If I need to watch out for certain ingredients or allergens, I can’t choose based on sugar content alone. This is the top priority for around 33% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sugar-free’ means ‘low in energy’

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

    Check the full nutritional information and compare the product per 100 g with a similar biscuit.

  • Comparing only the figures per portion

    Portion sizes can vary between packs. That means the figures for two portions don’t immediately tell you which product contains fewer sugars per 100 g.

    Compare per 100 g first, as the Voedingscentrum recommends, then consider how much you want to take with you.

  • Overlooking the warning about polyols

    Products including AH Digestive 0% sugar and Céréal Sugar-Free Coconut carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. That’s worth considering before a long journey.

    Read the warning on the specific product before packing several portions.

  • Assuming a handy packet means it’s low in sugar

    Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack contains eight packets, each with two biscuits, but Albert Heijn lists 38 g of sugars per 100 g for this product.

    Assess the packaging and the amount of sugars separately: a packet doesn’t change the product’s composition.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Lotus Biscoff

The standard speculoos biscuits are a useful option if individually wrapped portions matter to you, but not if you’re looking for the lowest possible sugar content.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the Snack Pack contains eight packets, each with two biscuits.
  • Albert Heijn lists 38 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% sugar and AH Zero Breakfast Cake offer two different formats to compare by looking at the label and packaging.

  • Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% sugar as containing 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g; AH Zero Breakfast Cake is pre-sliced.
  • The digestive biscuits also contain 465 kcal and 14 g of polyols per 100 g. For both products, Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Jumbo

At Jumbo, you can compare options including a spiced cake with less sugar and Céréal sugar-free biscuits.

  • Jumbo lists Céréal Sugar-Free Coconut as containing 0 g of sugars per 100 g and describes the pack as handy to take with you.
  • Despite the claim of 30% less sugar than the original, Snelle Jelle Less Sugar still contains 24 g of sugars per 100 g. Céréal Coconut contains polyols and carries a warning about excessive consumption.

ALDI

ALDI offers both individually wrapped biscuits with less sugar and pre-sliced breakfast cake with no added sugars.

  • According to ALDI, the less-sugar version of Goud Gebakken Koekhappers contains six individually wrapped biscuits.
  • Compare the sugar content and ingredients on the packaging of the variety you choose; ‘less sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t mean the same thing.

Lidl (Sondey)

According to Lidl, Sondey includes a range of different biscuits and snacks.

  • The range includes different product formats to explore in store.
  • Before choosing a specific Sondey biscuit to meet a sugar target, check the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging.

Joybuy products for on the go

These two products are breakfast cake and biscuit bars for anyone looking to take a lower-sugar snack with them. Before choosing, compare the sugars per 100 g and check separately how you can pack the portions.

Snelle Jelle breakfast cake, less sugar, 250 g

Snelle Jelle breakfast cake, less sugar, 250 g

An option if you’re looking for breakfast cake with less sugar rather than a biscuit for your journey.

The pack contains 250 g. Check the label for sugars per 100 g and any warnings; ‘less sugar’ doesn’t mean sugar-free.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 bars

g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 bars

A biscuit bar to consider if you want to take several with you and compare the sugar content on the label.

The pack contains six bars. Check the sugars per 100 g and see whether the bars are individually wrapped if that matters for your journey.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a sugar-free biscuit also low in energy?

No, you can’t tell from the sugar content alone. Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% sugar as containing 0.3 g of sugars and 465 kcal per 100 g; check both figures separately when comparing products.

Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. Jumbo says Snelle Jelle Less Sugar contains 30% less sugar than the original, but it still has 24 g of sugars per 100 g. So check both what the claim is being compared with and the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information.

What should I look out for in biscuits containing polyols?

Read the ingredients and any warning on the packaging before choosing portions for your journey. Products including AH Digestive 0% sugar and Céréal Sugar-Free Coconut carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Where can I check allergen information before setting off?

Check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re taking with you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that the relevant allergens must be clearly identifiable on the label of prepacked foods; also consider any warnings that are relevant to your circumstances.