Who is this choice relevant to?

For anyone who wants chocolate and keeps an eye on sugar

You’re looking for a chocolate biscuit for your afternoon snack and want to compare the amount of sugars per biscuit. Check the portion size and ingredients, too.

For anyone weighing up sweeteners and allergens

You want to know whether a biscuit contains maltitols or other sweeteners, and which allergens are listed on the packaging. A low sugar figure doesn’t answer those questions.

For anyone mainly looking for a classic chocolate biscuit

You’d rather choose based on the chocolate, a crunchy texture or a filling. If so, it’s important not to mistake a regular biscuit for a lower-sugar alternative.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What to check before buying Who it’s most relevant to
Sugars per portion Compare ‘of which sugars’ per biscuit and per 100 g, and check the size of each biscuit. I want a chocolate biscuit with my afternoon snack, but I also want to limit my sugar intake. This is the main priority for around 42% of consumers.
Sweeteners and allergens Read the ingredients list, the amount of polyols per portion if stated, and the allergen information. The sweeteners and ingredients used matter more to my choice than the sugar figure alone. This is the top consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Flavour and texture Check what type of biscuit you’re buying, and still compare the sugars per 100 g if reducing sugar is a consideration. I’m mainly looking for a classic chocolate biscuit with a flavour or filling I enjoy, even if reducing sugar isn’t my top priority. Around 25% of consumers give this the highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘Zero’ means a chocolate biscuit with little sugar

    According to Albert Heijn, Verkade San Francisco Zero contains no added sugar, but it isn’t a chocolate biscuit. So the words on the front don’t tell you whether you’re buying the type of biscuit you’re looking for.

    Check the product type, sugars per portion and ingredients before comparing biscuits as alternatives.

  • Comparing only the percentage reduction

    Céréal states that Choco Delight Dark contains 99% less sugars, while Jumbo gives 96–97% on its product page. Without the same basis for comparison, these percentages don’t allow you to compare the products directly.

    Use the nutritional information per 100 g and per biscuit to make your choice, and check the current packaging.

  • Overlooking sweeteners and allergens

    Céréal Choco Delight Dark contains maltitols. Jumbo lists wheat, milk, egg, oats and soya for this product, and notes that it may contain traces of nuts and sesame.

    Check the current ingredients and allergen information before buying, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients.

  • Thinking a regular chocolate biscuit is a low-sugar alternative

    Lotus Biscoff lists 39,6 g of sugars per 100 g for Speculoos with chocolate; Verkade lists 50,5 g per 100 g for XXL Choco Biscuit with caramel-flavour filling. These products therefore meet a different need from a chocolate biscuit with a low listed sugar content.

    Let flavour and texture guide your choice if they’re your priorities, but compare the nutritional values if your goal is to reduce sugar.

Brands to consider

Céréal

Choco Delight Dark is a biscuit with dark chocolate and sweeteners, suited to anyone looking for a chocolate biscuit with a low listed sugar content.

  • Céréal lists 0,5 g of sugars and 24 g of polyols per 100 g for Choco Delight Dark.
  • The product contains maltitols; check the current packaging for allergens and possible traces, too.

Verkade

Verkade offers both a biscuit with no added sugar and a regular chocolate biscuit. They’re different choices.

  • According to Albert Heijn, San Francisco Zero contains 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g and no added sugar.
  • San Francisco Zero isn’t a chocolate biscuit and contains maltitols. Verkade XXL Choco Biscuit with caramel-flavour filling lists 50,5 g of sugars per 100 g.

Lotus Biscoff

Speculoos with chocolate is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for the combination of speculoos and chocolate, rather than as a lower-sugar option.

  • Lotus Biscoff lists a chocolate content of 22% for Speculoos with chocolate.
  • Lotus Biscoff lists 39,6 g of sugars per 100 g for this product.

Chocolate biscuits on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘less sugar’ also mean fewer calories?

No. A lower sugar figure doesn’t tell you how much energy a biscuit contains overall. If it matters to your choice, compare the energy per portion and per 100 g in the nutritional information, too.

Why should I check polyols in lower-sugar biscuits?

Because some of the sugar in these biscuits may have been replaced with sweeteners. Céréal lists 2,5 g of polyols per 10,5 g biscuit for Choco Delight Dark; check the packaging for the ingredients and any warnings that apply to the product.

How do I compare claims about reduced sugar?

Compare the sugars per 100 g and per biscuit, using the portion size shown on the label. Treat standalone reduction percentages with caution if it isn’t clear that they use the same reference point.

How should I store biscuits once opened?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. For Verkade San Francisco Zero, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a dry place, preferably somewhere cool. Check the label for other biscuits.