Label-checkers keeping an eye on sugar
You’re looking for a crunchy alternative to a sweet biscuit with your coffee, and comparing sugars per 100 g, ingredients and the toppings you plan to use.
Who might this choice be relevant to?
Fans of a wholegrain base for toppings
You’re mainly looking for crispbread to use as a base for savoury toppings and want to compare the fibre content, without assuming that wholegrain also means gluten-free.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
You check the ingredients and allergen information before buying, for example because cereals containing gluten or sesame matter to you.
What should you look for when buying?
Start by comparing similar crispbread products per 100 g. Then consider the texture you prefer and what you’ll put on top. If you have an allergy, always check the packaging of the product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, and read the ingredients list if you also want to check for added sugar. | I want to know how much sugar is in the crispbread itself with my coffee, rather than relying on the front of the pack. For around 36% of consumers, comparing sugar content is the deciding factor. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Check the types of grain in the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g on the label. | I’m looking for a wholegrain base for my toppings and mainly want to check the fibre content. This is the main reason around 29% of consumers choose one variety over another. |
| Texture and toppings | Check the thickness, size and ingredients such as seeds. Consider whether you’ll eat the crispbread on its own or with toppings. | I eat crispbread on its own or with toppings, and want the crunch to work well either way. For around 21% of consumers, texture matters most. |
| Allergens | Read the latest allergen information. If relevant, check for cereals containing gluten and sesame, and look for an explicit gluten-free label. | If I have an allergy or need to avoid gluten, I want to know whether the pack meets my requirements. For around 14% of consumers, this check is the most important buying criterion. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Relying only on wording on the front of the pack
A claim about sugar doesn’t tell you how much sugar another crispbread contains. The nutrition table and ingredients list also answer different questions.
Compare ‘of which sugars’, fibre and salt per 100 g across similar products, then read the ingredients list.
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Forgetting to factor in sweet toppings
Jam, honey or chocolate spread also adds to the sugars in what you have with your coffee, whatever the sugar content of the crispbread itself.
Decide whether you want to eat your crispbread plain, with savoury toppings or with sweet ones. If you choose sweet toppings, check their labels too.
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Confusing wholegrain with gluten-free
Wholegrain crispbread may contain rye or wheat. So a wholegrain or high-fibre label doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable if you need to avoid gluten.
If that applies to you, check the allergen information on the pack and look for an explicit gluten-free label.
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Trusting an old product description
Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, as Albert Heijn states in its product information.
Use a product page to compare varieties, but check the packaging of the one you choose when you buy it.
Brands to compare
These brands offer a starting point for comparing different types of crispbread. Always compare the specific variety, not just the brand name.
Wasa
Wasa offers wholegrain rye varieties, as well as thinner or lighter types of crispbread.
- According to Joybuy product information, Wasa High-Fiber Crackers contain 2.0 g of sugars and 26.0 g of fibre per 100 g. These values apply to this variety.
- For this variety, Joybuy also lists cereals containing gluten and sesame. Check the packaging if allergens are a concern for you.
Albert Heijn
The range includes both own-brand crispbread and varieties from other brands, giving you options to compare.
- An own-brand wholegrain variety gives you a specific product to compare by its ingredients and nutritional values.
- Albert Heijn states that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the pack when you buy it.
Goud Gebakken / ALDI
ALDI describes Goud Gebakken Robuust crispbread as a wholegrain variety with seeds, available in two varieties.
- The inclusion of seeds makes it worth comparing with a plain rye variety if texture is important to you.
- Check the packaging of the specific variety for sugars, salt and allergens.
Ryvita
Dark Rye Crispbread is a rye variety. Its ingredients list on the brand website includes wholemeal rye flour, rye flour and salt.
- Ryvita lists 2.6 g of sugars and 14.3 g of fibre per 100 g for Dark Rye.
- This information comes from an international brand website. Check the packaging of any product you buy in the Netherlands.
Crispbread on Joybuy
These crispbread varieties are worth comparing as a base for a coffee break. Don’t choose by product name alone: check the sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose, and factor in your toppings.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers, 300 g
A variety to consider if you want to compare sugars and fibre with your coffee.
Joybuy product information lists 2.0 g of sugars and 26.0 g of fibre per 100 g. It also lists cereals containing gluten and sesame; check the packaging if you have allergies.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread, 375 g
A wholegrain crispbread variety to consider as a base for toppings with your coffee.
Compare the sugars and fibre on the pack with those of another wholegrain variety. If you have allergies, check the full ingredients and allergen information too.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g
A rye variety for anyone who likes to have crispbread on its own or with toppings and coffee.
Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the packaging, and check the ingredients and allergens if you need to avoid certain grains.
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Wasa Wholegrain Crispbread, 260 g
A wholegrain variety to compare if you’re looking for a base for toppings.
Check the sugars and fibre per 100 g on the pack. If you need to avoid certain grains or other allergens, also read the latest allergen information.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread, 265 g
A wholegrain crispbread variety to compare with other grain varieties for a coffee break.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging if you have allergies.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘reduced sugar’ mean that a crispbread is low in sugars?
No. Don’t rely on that wording alone when comparing products. Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on similar products and consider what you plan to have on top.
What should I look for if I need to avoid gluten?
Check that the crispbread you choose is explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the latest allergen information. Rye and wheat are cereals containing gluten; wholegrain or high-fibre doesn’t mean gluten-free.
Does crispbread always contain iodine because it’s made with baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that of every pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that iodine compounds may only be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through the addition of baker’s salt. This rule doesn’t mean that every crispbread contains baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for a specific product.