Who is this choice relevant to?

Breakfast hosts who want flakes

If you’re serving bread or crispbread for Mother’s Day breakfast, you may want to keep the broad, flaky texture. Sprinkles aren’t an equivalent product type, even if the pack says they contain less sugar.

Shoppers considering sprinkles as an alternative

If the shape matters less, you can compare products labelled as lower in sugar. Look beyond the stated reduction: check the sugars per 100 g and what the product is being compared with.

Shoppers who check ingredients

If milk, lactose, soya or polyols matter to your choice, check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant. These can differ between milk and dark chocolate sprinkles.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want flakes for your Mother’s Day breakfast or whether sprinkles will do. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the products you’re considering.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Product type Does the pack say flakes or sprinkles? Don’t compare the two as though they were the same type of topping. For Mother’s Day breakfast, I want broad chocolate flakes on bread or crispbread, not sprinkles. Around 44% of consumers prioritise product type.
Sugars Compare the sugars and energy per 100 g, and check which product the stated sugar reduction is compared with. If sprinkles will do, I mainly want to choose a product with a lower stated sugar content without mistaking the claim for sugar-free. For around 33% of consumers, sugar reduction matters most.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients, allergens and any warning about polyols on the current pack. If milk, lactose, soya or polyols aren’t suitable for me, I need to be able to check the exact variant. Ingredients are the main concern for around 23% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking sprinkles for flakes

    Sprinkles labelled as lower in sugar won’t give you the flaky texture you may be looking for at breakfast.

    Check the product name and choose sprinkles only if that different shape suits your dish.

  • Assuming lower in sugar means sugar-free

    Albert Heijn says AH Hagelslag melk minder suiker contains 30% less sugar than AH Melk hagelslag. According to the product information, the lower-sugar variant still contains 43 g of sugars and 460 kcal per 100 g.

    Check both the comparison behind the claim and the nutritional values per 100 g.

  • Overlooking polyols and warnings

    The product information for Céréal sprinkles lists maltitols. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check the ingredients and warning for the variant you want to buy.

  • Assuming allergens from the type of chocolate

    A dark chocolate variant isn’t automatically milk-free: PLUS says that Céréal Hagelslag puur may contain milk.

    Check the allergen statement on the current pack, even if you’re familiar with an older one.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

An option if you’re specifically looking for chocolate flakes.

  • Jumbo lists several De Ruijter flakes, including milk, dark and white varieties.
  • Check the pack itself if lower sugar is a requirement; don’t assume it from the brand name.

Venz

Flake varieties for anyone who cares about the shape and style of their sandwich topping.

  • Jumbo lists Venz Rimboe kroko and tijger flakes, among others.
  • A flavour variety doesn’t tell you the sugar content; compare the nutritional information on the pack you choose.

Céréal

Sprinkles to consider if lower sugar matters more to you than a flaky texture.

  • Albert Heijn says Céréal Hagelslag melk contains 79% less sugar than standard milk chocolate sprinkles.
  • They’re still sprinkles. Check the polyols, allergens and warning about excessive consumption for each variant.

AH

A supermarket own-brand option in milk chocolate sprinkles, not flakes.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Hagelslag melk minder suiker contains 30% less sugar than AH Melk hagelslag.
  • Albert Heijn says it still contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g; the product information also lists milk and lactose.

Jumbo

An own-brand option for comparing standard flakes with lower-sugar sprinkles.

  • Jumbo lists its own milk and dark chocolate flakes, as well as Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker separately.
  • Those sprinkles aren’t flakes. Compare the nutritional information for the exact product you choose.

Joybuy products for this choice

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are lower-sugar sprinkles the same as chocolate flakes?

No, sprinkles have a different shape from flakes. If the flaky texture matters for your Mother’s Day breakfast, choose a product that is actually sold as flakes and check its nutritional information.

Does lower in sugar also mean sugar-free?

No, a lower-sugar claim compares one product with another. Albert Heijn says AH Hagelslag melk minder suiker contains 30% less sugar than AH Melk hagelslag, while the lower-sugar variant still contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g.

Why do some Céréal products carry warnings?

The product information for Céréal sprinkles lists polyols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the ingredients and warning for the milk or dark variant you’re considering.

Where can I check allergens in these sandwich toppings?

Check the allergen statement on the current packaging of the exact variant. Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose in AH Hagelslag melk minder suiker; for Céréal, the milk and soya information differs between the milk and dark variants.