If reducing sugar is your priority and you’re happy to choose a different shape, Céréal Hagelslag Puur Minder Suikers is one option to compare: Jumbo lists 7,7 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 63 g for De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Puur according to Albert Heijn, and 63,7 g for Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur. The Céréal product is chocolate sprinkles, not flakes, and also contains polyols; flakes are best used as a topping, rather than eaten straight from your gym bag as a snack.
You’re looking for a topping with less sugar than the standard chocolate flakes mentioned here, and want to know whether sprinkles are an acceptable alternative. Compare the figures per 100 g as well as the ingredients: the Céréal version contains maltitols as well as sugar.
You want flakes for bread, yoghurt or porridge, and keep an eye on how much topping you use each time. According to retailer information, De Ruijter and Jumbo’s dark chocolate flakes contain 63 g and 63,7 g of sugars per 100 g, respectively.
You want a snack to eat at a suitable time, while keeping portion size and your own tolerance in mind. For the products mentioned, it’s also worth checking for soya, possible traces of milk and, in the case of Céréal sprinkles, polyols.
First decide whether reducing sugar or choosing flakes matters more to you. Then think about how you’ll take the topping with a snack, and check the packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and check whether you’re buying flakes or sprinkles. | If I want less sugar without accidentally choosing a different product shape, I’ll compare both labels side by side. This is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| When you’ll eat it | Decide when you’ll have the snack and how large the total portion will be, not just how much topping you’ll use. | Just before a workout, I want to take something small that I can usually tolerate well. Around 29% of consumers give the timing and how well they tolerate a snack top priority. |
| Shape and taking it with you | Check that it’s flakes, and think about what you’ll have them with, such as bread or yoghurt. | If I specifically want flakes, the topping also needs to be easy to portion out when I’m on the go. This combination matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current packaging for soya, milk or traces of milk, and any polyols. | If I need to avoid an allergen or don’t tolerate polyols well, checking the ingredients comes before comparing sugar. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Puur contains 63 g of sugars per 100 g; Jumbo lists 63,7 g for its dark flakes. So the word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar these products contain.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutrition information.
Jumbo lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur Minder Suikers. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients, and don’t try a product containing maltitols for the first time in a large portion just before a workout.
Chocolate flakes are intended as a sandwich topping or as a topping for other foods. Taking just the flakes doesn’t answer the question of what you’ll actually eat around your workout.
If you like, take a small portion with something to have them on, such as bread or yoghurt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion just before exercise.
Ingredients and nutritional values can change. This matters especially if you’re choosing based on sugar, sweeteners or allergens.
Check the packaging again when you buy the product, including the information about soya and possible traces of milk.
The lower-sugar option mentioned here is dark chocolate sprinkles, not chocolate flakes.
The dark chocolate flakes offer the shape you’re looking for, whether you’re using them on bread or as a topping.
The dark chocolate flakes come in a 300 g pack.
Kiekeboe sells chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack, in either milk or dark chocolate.
Lidl lists 300 g packs of dark chocolate flakes as an in-store product.
No. Jumbo lists 7,7 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur Minder Suikers; the ingredients include both sugar and maltitols.
No, the word ‘dark’ doesn’t guarantee that. Albert Heijn lists 63 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Puur, while Jumbo lists 63,7 g per 100 g for its dark chocolate flakes. So compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering.
Loose chocolate flakes are mainly a topping, not a complete snack. If you like, take them with something such as bread or yoghurt, and keep the total portion in mind. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion, or foods high in fat, protein or fibre, just before exercise.
Consider the portion size and how well you tolerate them. Jumbo lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Hagelslag Puur Minder Suikers; the product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. If you have allergies, also check the packaging for soya and possible traces of milk.
