Who is this choice relevant to?

Cyclists on a long, intense ride

You want to top up your carbohydrates and fluids while you’re out. The sugar content of one biscuit won’t tell you how many carbohydrates a portion provides or whether it’s easy to eat while cycling.

Recreational cyclists keeping an eye on sugar

You’re looking for a lower-sugar chocolate biscuit to have before or after a short or easy ride. You want to know what the sugar claim means and what other ingredients the product contains.

Cyclists who consider stomach comfort or allergens

You want to check the ingredients before buying. Polyols and the allergen information are particularly important if you plan to try a new biscuit during or just before a ride.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for a snack that’s lower in sugar or something to eat during a long, intense ride. Then compare the nutritional information per portion and check whether the ingredients suit the way you plan to use it.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Carbohydrates on the go Check the carbohydrates per biscuit and per portion you plan to take with you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends 30 to 60 g of rapidly absorbed carbohydrates per hour for intense endurance exercise lasting 1 to 2.5 hours. On a long, intense ride, I want to be able to top up my carbohydrates with something that’s easy to eat. This is the main priority for around 40% of consumers.
Less sugar Read the exact claim and compare the sugars per 100 g and per portion. Check which ingredients provide the sweet taste too. ‘No added sugars’ does not mean the same as ‘less sugar’. For an easy ride, I’m mainly looking for a lower-sugar chocolate biscuit, not necessarily something to fuel my ride. Around 30% of consumers prioritise reducing sugar.
Stomach comfort and allergens Check the ingredients for polyols and read the allergen information for the exact variant you’re buying. Try a new biscuit during an easy training session first. If I have a sensitive stomach or need to avoid allergens, I want to know what’s in the biscuit before I buy it. This is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘less sugar’ means it’s suitable for eating on the go

    A biscuit can be low in sugar and still contain polyols and fat. On a long, intense ride, it also matters how many usable carbohydrates you can actually eat per portion.

    Compare the total carbohydrates per portion and try the amount you’ve chosen during a training session.

  • Trying a biscuit containing polyols for the first time during an important ride

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive discomfort. A large portion that’s high in fat, protein or fibre may also be less comfortable just before exercise.

    Try a small portion of a new biscuit during an easy training session first, and see how you feel afterwards.

  • Treating sugar claims as if they mean the same thing

    ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t mean a product contains no sugars. A claim that a product has a reduced sugar content requires a comparison with a similar product.

    Read the exact wording on the packaging and check the nutritional information and ingredients rather than relying on the front of the pack alone.

  • Assuming the allergen information is the same for another variant

    Ingredients and allergens can vary between chocolate biscuits and different variants. An earlier product description is no substitute for the information on the packaging you’re buying.

    Before eating it, read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the pack.

Brands and shops to consider

These examples show different types of chocolate biscuits and sugar claims. A brand or shop being mentioned doesn’t mean all its products contain less sugar.

Céréal

Céréal Minder Suikers Choco Delight Puur is a specific example of a chocolate biscuit focused on sugar reduction.

  • Jumbo lists 0.5 g of sugars and 60 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.
  • The same product information lists 24 g of polyols and 20 g of fat per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive discomfort.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco Zero is an example of a biscuit with no added sugars, but it isn’t a chocolate biscuit for this comparison.

  • Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars.
  • That description doesn’t make it a chocolate biscuit or a directly comparable alternative with a ‘less sugar’ claim.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff with chocolate is included here as an example of a standard chocolate biscuit, not a lower-sugar option.

  • Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists 68.2 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for this product.
  • The product information also lists 39.6 g of sugars and 22 g of fat per 100 g, so if you’re looking to reduce sugar, you’ll need to consider a different product.

Albert Heijn

At Albert Heijn, it’s important to distinguish biscuits marketed as lower in sugar from standard chocolate biscuits.

  • Albert Heijn lists Céréal Chocolate chip cookie zonder suikers among its biscuits for shoppers looking to reduce sugar.
  • The claim ‘sugar-free’ isn’t the same as ‘less sugar’. Also check whether the biscuit you find is actually a chocolate biscuit.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both Céréal Minder Suikers Choco Delight Puur and standard chocolate biscuits.

  • For the Céréal variant, Jumbo provides nutritional information that lets you compare sugars, carbohydrates and polyols.
  • The fact that Jumbo also stocks standard chocolate biscuits doesn’t mean they’re suitable lower-sugar options. Assess each product individually.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a chocolate biscuit be labelled ‘less sugar’?

For a claim that a product has a reduced sugar content, or a claim with the same meaning, EU rules on nutrition claims require it to contain at least 30% less sugar than a similar product. Check the exact claim on the packaging; ‘no added sugars’ is a different statement.

Can I eat a lower-sugar chocolate biscuit while cycling?

You can, as long as the portion, carbohydrates and ingredients suit your ride and you tolerate the biscuit well. On a long, intense ride, sugar content alone isn’t a good guide: check the carbohydrates per portion and remember to drink as well.

Why can a biscuit that’s low in sugar still cause digestive discomfort?

Some biscuits that are low in sugar contain polyols, and large amounts can cause digestive discomfort, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Check the ingredients and don’t try a new biscuit for the first time during an important ride.

Which allergens should I check in chocolate biscuits?

Read the allergen information for the specific variant you’re buying rather than relying on the product name or another biscuit from the same brand. If you have an allergy to consider, always check the current packaging, as ingredients and possible traces can vary between products.