Who might choose chocolate flakes?

People keeping an eye on sugar

You want to add a chocolate flavour, but also know how much sugar the flakes contain. Compare the figures per 100 g and work out how much that means for the amount you use; ‘dark’ doesn’t automatically mean less sugar.

People looking for a quick bite

Chocolate flakes are a topping. For a mid-morning snack, it makes a difference whether you have them on bread or in yoghurt, or eat them straight from the pack.

Families comparing different flavours

If several people eat the same flakes, flavour and ingredients may influence your choice. Check the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging of the variety you choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by thinking about what you want from your snack: are you comparing sugar levels, considering how the flakes work with bread or yoghurt, or mainly looking for a particular flavour and way to use them?

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar content Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for similar flakes, and check what they’re being compared with when a product says ‘less sugar’. I want a chocolate flavour, but don’t want to rely on the word ‘dark’; around 46% of consumers prioritise a lower sugar content in chocolate flakes.
The whole snack Consider how many flakes you use, and also check the nutritional information for the bread, yoghurt or other base. If I’m hungry mid-morning, I want to consider more than just the sweet topping; around 27% of consumers focus on the overall make-up of the snack.
Flavour and use Choose the flavour you want and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. I want flakes that suit my snack in both flavour and use; around 27% of consumers say this is their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means ‘low in sugar’

    The flavour description doesn’t tell you how much sugar the flakes contain. According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Royaal extra puur contains 56 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Read the ‘of which sugars’ line on the label and compare products with a similar flavour profile.

  • Looking only at the front of the pack

    Information on the front doesn’t show the ingredients, full nutritional values or allergens.

    Check the nutritional information and ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen, even if the packaging says ‘less sugar’.

  • Treating chocolate flakes as a snack on their own

    Chocolate flakes are used as a topping. Having them on bread or in yoghurt makes for a different snack than eating them on their own.

    Decide what you want to eat first, then add a small amount of flakes if you like. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests fruit, nuts and a sandwich as snack options.

  • Not checking allergens again

    Ingredients can vary between varieties. Jumbo lists milk as an allergen in its mix of milk and white chocolate flakes.

    Check the allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety you’re going to eat every time you buy it.

Brands to compare

These brand names are a starting point for comparing specific varieties of chocolate flakes; the nutritional values below don’t apply to every product from each brand.

De Ruijter

Chocolate flakes in several varieties, including Royaal extra puur.

  • Albert Heijn lists 56 g of sugars per 100 g for Royaal extra puur.
  • ‘Extra dark’ on its own doesn’t mean less sugar.

AH

Own-brand products include Pure chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.

  • Albert Heijn lists 65 g of added sugars and 6.7 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • Check the packaging for the nutritional information and ingredients of the variety you’re buying.

Jumbo

Own-brand products include a mix of milk and white chocolate flakes.

  • Jumbo lists 60.6 g of sugars per 100 g for the mix.
  • This mix has a different flavour profile from dark chocolate flakes; milk is listed as an allergen.

Kiekeboe

ALDI Nederland lists 300 g packs of chocolate flakes in milk and dark varieties.

  • Choosing between milk and dark makes it easy to pick the flavour you prefer.
  • Check the nutritional information on the packaging of your chosen variety before drawing conclusions about its sugar content.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do dark chocolate flakes automatically contain less sugar?

No. ‘Dark’ describes the variety; it doesn’t indicate the sugar content. Albert Heijn lists 56 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Royaal extra puur and 65 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Pure. When comparing them, make sure you’re looking at the same type of figure on each label.

How should I assess a ‘less sugar’ claim?

Look at the claim alongside what it’s being compared with and the nutrition table. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, nutrition claims are subject to EU rules; the claim alone doesn’t tell you what’s in your whole snack.

How do I work out how many flakes to use?

Use the portion size on the packaging as a guide, then consider how much you actually sprinkle on. Albert Heijn lists a 15 g portion for De Ruijter Royaal extra puur; check the portion size for the variety you choose.

Can I eat chocolate flakes on their own as a snack?

Chocolate flakes are intended as a topping, so when you have them as a snack, consider what you’re eating them with or on. If you don’t want a sweet topping, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests options including fruit, nuts and a sandwich.

Should I check allergens again for a variety I know well?

Yes. Check the packaging again if allergens matter to you. Ingredient information can change and varies between varieties; for example, Jumbo lists milk as an allergen in its mix of milk and white chocolate flakes.