If you’re looking to cut down on sugars
You compare the listed amount of sugars in biscuits or breakfast cake, then check whether the ingredients and portion size suit your preferences.
Who might find these options useful?
If you want to put together a more varied breakfast
You don’t want to rely solely on a biscuit’s sugar claim. You also want to check the fibre content and pair the biscuit with other breakfast foods.
If you check ingredients carefully
You pay attention to sweeteners, polyols, allergens or total carbohydrates. In that case, the current ingredients list and nutritional information matter more than the wording on the front of the pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re mainly looking for less listed sugar, a more varied breakfast or clear information about specific ingredients. Then compare products per 100 g and consider how much you’ll actually eat.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Listed sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per portion; for ‘less sugar’ claims, check what the product is being compared with. | If I want a biscuit with breakfast but also want to limit sugars, the nutritional information is more useful than just the claim on the front. Around 42% of consumers prioritise the amount of sugars listed. |
| Where the biscuit fits into breakfast | Check the fibre and ingredients, and decide what other foods will be part of your breakfast. | A biscuit on its own isn’t enough for me if I also want a wholegrain product or other breakfast foods with my weekend breakfast. For around 33% of consumers, the make-up of the whole breakfast comes first. |
| Ingredients and tolerance | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings; also check total carbohydrates and polyols. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or don’t tolerate them well, the packaging helps me decide whether an option is suitable. This check is a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Relying only on ‘less sugar’ or ‘no sugars’ claims
‘Less sugar’ describes a comparison; ‘no sugars’ doesn’t tell you how much energy, fat or fibre a product contains. For example, Jumbo says its Ontbijtkoek Minder Suiker has 30% less sugar than its own plain version, while Jumbo lists 0 g sugars and 427 kcal per 100 g for Céréal Kokos.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then consider the portion you plan to eat.
-
Overlooking polyols
The AH Ontbijtkoek zero product reviewed contains xylitol; Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The ingredients list is also important for biscuits containing other polyols.
If you’re sensitive to these ingredients, check which sweeteners and warnings are shown on the packaging.
-
Thinking of a biscuit as a complete breakfast
A lower sugar content doesn’t make a biscuit a complete breakfast with all the components you consider important. Voedingscentrum (the Netherlands Nutrition Centre) includes wholegrain products among its breakfast recommendations.
Decide how the biscuit will fit alongside, for example, a wholegrain product, yoghurt and fruit, rather than judging the biscuit on its own.
-
Assuming ‘6 grains’ means ‘less sugar’
Lotus Biscoff describes its 6-grain version in terms of the grains used. That description alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuit contains.
Check the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information separately.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers products including AH Ontbijtkoek zero; breakfast cake is not the same product as a biscuit.
- Albert Heijn states that this version contains 86% less sugar than AH Ontbijtkoek naturel gesneden.
- This version contains xylitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells Ontbijtkoek Minder Suiker in individually wrapped bars.
- Jumbo states that it contains 30% less sugar than its plain version.
- This is a relative reduction. Also compare the amount of sugars per 100 g and per bar.
Céréal
Céréal offers biscuit varieties with different sugar claims, including Zonder Suikers Kokos.
- For Zonder Suikers Kokos, Jumbo lists 0 g sugars per 100 g.
- The same nutritional information lists 427 kcal and 18 g polyols per 100 g. Check the portion size and ingredients too.
Koek & Bakker (ALDI)
ALDI describes Koek & Bakker Gesneden Ontbijtkoek Zero as breakfast cake with no added sugars.
- The pre-sliced format may suit you if you prefer to have breakfast cake one slice at a time.
- Check the current packaging to assess the sugars, other ingredients and allergens in this version.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff offers a 6-grain version of its speculoos biscuits.
- The grain description gives you a starting point if you want to compare the ingredients in different biscuits.
- ‘6 grains’ doesn’t mean less sugar; check the nutritional information for that version.
Crackers as a breakfast base
These Joybuy products are crackers, not lower-sugar biscuits or breakfast cake. They’re an option if you’d like to build your weekend breakfast around a cracker and have a biscuit as an extra.
Image unavailable
Wasa High-Fiber crackers, 300 g
A cracker for anyone looking for a crisp base for breakfast rather than a sweet biscuit. If they affect your choice, check the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.
Image unavailable
Wasa Sourdough Rye crackers, 235 g
A rye cracker if you’d like a different breakfast base from a sweet biscuit. When buying, compare its nutritional information and ingredients with those of the other crackers.
Image unavailable
Bolletje Light Whole Grain crackers, 190 g
A cracker for anyone putting together a breakfast with a crisp base. Check the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging to understand what ‘Light Whole Grain’ means; it isn’t a sugar claim.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘less sugar’ mean a biscuit contains very little sugar?
No, it’s a comparison with another product. Jumbo states that Ontbijtkoek Minder Suiker contains 30% less sugar than its own plain version. Also check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per portion to assess the amount in the bar you choose.
Is a biscuit with no sugars automatically suitable as a complete breakfast?
No, a sugar claim doesn’t describe the make-up of your whole breakfast. Check the rest of the nutritional information too, and decide how the biscuit fits alongside other breakfast foods.
What should I look for if a biscuit contains xylitol or maltitol?
Read the ingredients and any warning about polyols on the packaging. Albert Heijn warns that its Ontbijtkoek zero may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess. If you’re also monitoring carbohydrates, check the full nutritional information.
Does ‘6 grains’ also mean ‘wholegrain’ or ‘less sugar’?
No, ‘6 grains’ doesn’t mean that a biscuit contains less sugar or is made entirely from wholegrain flour. Voedingscentrum (the Netherlands Nutrition Centre) distinguishes between a wholegrain claim and general descriptions of grains on biscuits. Check the ingredients and sugar content separately.
What should I do if the product page and packaging differ?
Check the current packaging of the version you’re buying, especially for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values. Product information can change, so an earlier listing may not match the pack you have.