Chocolate lovers keeping an eye on sugar
You’d like a chocolate biscuit with your afternoon coffee and want to compare the sugar content per 100 g on the nutrition label. Check the ingredients, polyols and serving size too.
Who might this choice be relevant for?
Older people following a tailored diet
If appetite is reduced or there are specific dietary requirements, it’s also important to consider how the biscuit fits in with other meals and snacks. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that older people need enough energy, nutrients and fluids.
Coffee drinkers who want to avoid polyols
If you’d rather not have a biscuit containing maltitol because of the taste or previous digestive issues, check the ingredients list. A plain chocolate biscuit may have a different composition, but compare its sugar content per 100 g too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether chocolate is a must-have. Then compare similar biscuits per 100 g and check the ingredients and information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and chocolate | Compare the sugar content per 100 g of chocolate biscuits and look for chocolate or cocoa in the ingredients. | I want to keep enjoying chocolate with my coffee, but choose mainly based on the stated sugar content. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
| Polyols and portion size | Check for sweeteners such as maltitol, any warnings and the portion size. | If I’ve had digestive issues before, I want to know which sweetener the biscuit contains and how much I’m eating. Around 27% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Allergens | Check the current packaging for both the allergen declaration and information about possible traces. | If I’m buying for someone with a food allergy, the biscuit needs to suit their diet, regardless of its sugar content. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| How it fits into the diet | Consider whether the biscuit is an extra treat or would replace another meal or snack. | If appetite is low, I want to avoid a biscuit taking the place of a meal or snack that provides other nutrients. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Relying only on ‘zero’ or ‘sugar-conscious’ claims
A claim like this doesn’t tell you on its own how much energy, saturated fat or polyols a biscuit contains. The Dutch Government explains that Nutri-Score is also intended for comparing products of the same type, not for treating one characteristic as the whole picture.
Compare the nutrition information for similar chocolate biscuits side by side, per 100 g, and check the ingredients too.
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Overlooking the warning about polyols
Albert Heijn’s product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect for Céréal Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie, Verkade San Francisco Zero and AH Digestive 0% Sugar.
Check which sweeteners the biscuit contains and bear in mind how much you eat, especially if you’ve had digestive issues before.
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Using a biscuit as a replacement for a meal or snack
For older people with a reduced appetite, it can matter what a biscuit eaten with afternoon coffee replaces. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of getting enough energy, nutrients and fluids.
Think of the biscuit as an extra treat. Speak to a healthcare professional if you’re concerned about unwanted weight loss, a poor appetite or specific medical dietary requirements.
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Choosing by brand rather than by product
Verkade San Francisco Zero and AH Digestive 0% Sugar are biscuits without chocolate. Lotus Biscoff with chocolate satisfies a craving for chocolate, but Lotus Bakeries lists 39.6 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check the name and ingredients of the specific product before comparing the sugar content per 100 g.
Brands and product ranges compared
Céréal
Albert Heijn lists chocolate pieces and cocoa, along with a sweetener, in Céréal Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie.
- The product information lists 0 g of sugars and 8.9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The same product information lists 26 g of polyols per 100 g and includes a warning about excessive consumption. Check the packaging for allergens and possible traces too.
Verkade
Verkade San Francisco Zero is a biscuit for anyone who doesn’t need chocolate with their coffee.
- Albert Heijn lists 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for this product.
- It isn’t a chocolate biscuit. The product information lists sweeteners, a warning about excessive consumption, and wheat, milk and soya as allergens.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive 0% Sugar is a biscuit without chocolate.
- Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- The product information lists 14 g of polyols per 100 g, a warning about excessive consumption and wheat as an allergen.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff with chocolate is a chocolate biscuit to compare with lower-sugar alternatives.
- The chocolate version is a good fit if you’re looking for a biscuit with chocolate.
- Lotus Bakeries lists 39.6 g of sugars and 13.3 g of saturated fat per 100 g for this product.
Related products at Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does a sugar-free chocolate biscuit still provide energy?
Yes. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of sugars for Céréal Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie, but it also contains 414 kcal per 100 g. So check the full nutrition information and serving size, not just the claim on the front of the pack.
Why do some lower-sugar biscuits carry a warning about a laxative effect?
The warning relates to the polyols used and applies if you consume too much. Albert Heijn includes it for the Céréal, Verkade and AH products mentioned above. Check the ingredients and consider how you’ve reacted to these sweeteners in the past.
Is choosing a lower-sugar biscuit enough when buying for an older person?
No. As well as the nutrition information, consider whether the biscuit is an extra treat or replaces another meal or snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that older people need enough energy, nutrients and fluids. If appetite is reduced or there are specific dietary requirements, individual advice is important.
What information should I follow for storage and allergens?
Follow the storage instructions and allergen information on the current packaging for the product you’ve chosen. This is especially important if you’re buying the biscuits for someone else or storing an opened pack.