Sugar-conscious evening snacker
You’re looking for a crunchy late-night snack and want to compare the sugar content on the label, without mistaking a term such as ‘less sugar’ for a specific measurement.
Who are these options relevant to?
Wholegrain and fibre seeker
As well as the sugar content, you want to know which grains are used and how much fibre a portion contains.
Label and allergen checker
Rye, wheat, sesame, other listed allergens or the salt content may determine your choice, even if the sugar content suits your preference.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re looking for lower-sugar crispbread for a late-night snack, decide which feature matters most to you. Nutritional information per 100 g helps you compare products; information per cracker helps you put your snack together.
| What matters when buying | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per cracker. If a product claims to contain less sugar, check which similar product it is compared with. | I’m mainly looking for a less sweet base and want to know what the sugar figure on the label really means. This is the top priority for around 36% of these consumers. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Check which wholegrains appear in the ingredients list and compare the fibre content per 100 g. | As well as sugars, the grain base and fibre content are important to my choice. These matter most to around 29% of these consumers. |
| Portion and toppings | Check the nutritional information per cracker or portion, and take your chosen toppings into account. | I may eat more than one cracker and want to know what my snack contains, including the toppings. Around 21% of these consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Salt and allergens | Compare salt per 100 g and read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | I need to pay particular attention to salt or ingredients such as rye, wheat and sesame. This determines the initial selection for around 14% of these consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a low sugar figure means ‘less sugar’
A sugar figure per 100 g tells you how much sugar the product contains, but not how much lower that figure is than for a similar crispbread.
Compare similar products and, if there’s a claim about less sugar, check what comparison is made on the packaging.
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Looking only at the figures per 100 g
A late-night snack depends on how many crackers you eat, often with toppings. So the product figures per 100 g don’t tell the whole story about your portion.
Also check the information per cracker or portion, and assess the toppings separately.
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Confusing wholegrain with gluten-free
The crispbread varieties described here that contain rye or wheat also contain gluten. Individual products may list other allergens too, including sesame.
Check the current allergen declaration every time you buy. If you’re avoiding gluten, don’t rely on the term ‘wholegrain’ alone.
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Overlooking salt when comparing products
A sugar or fibre figure says nothing about the salt content. In the product information consulted, Jumbo lists 0.71 g of salt per 100 g for Jumbo Wholemeal Crispbread, while Wasa lists 1.25 g per 100 g for its Wholemeal variety.
If other features of a variety suit you, compare the salt information on the packaging too.
Brands and varieties to compare
The nutritional values below apply to the varieties named, not to every crispbread product from the same brand.
Wasa
If you’re comparing rye crispbreads, Wholemeal and Original Crisp are two separate varieties to consider side by side.
- According to Wasa, Wholemeal contains 1.5 g of sugars and 20 g of fibre per 100 g; Original Crisp lists 3.0 g of sugars and 20 g of fibre.
- These varieties contain rye and gluten. Check the salt content and portion size of the variety you choose too.
Bolletje
Wholemeal High-Fibre Crispbread is a variety made with wheat, rye and barley to compare if the grain base and fibre content matter to you.
- Jumbo lists 1.5 g of sugars and 14 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
- The product information lists gluten and sesame, among other allergens. Check the allergen declaration on the packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo Wholemeal Crispbread is a wheat and rye variety whose nutritional information allows you to compare sugars, fibre and salt.
- Jumbo lists 2.4 g of sugars, 10.9 g of fibre and 0.71 g of salt per 100 g.
- The ingredients list also includes palm fat. The product contains wheat, rye and gluten; check the packaging for full allergen information.
Ryvita
Dark Rye is a rye variety you can compare if the Dutch packaging matches the manufacturer’s product specification.
- Ryvita’s UK information lists 2.6 g of sugars and 14.3 g of fibre per 100 g for Dark Rye.
- Don’t assume these UK figures apply to a product sold in Dutch packaging. Check its ingredients and allergen information too.
Crispbread at Joybuy
These products offer a range of wholegrain, rye and cracker varieties to use as the base for a late-night snack. When choosing, compare the nutritional information on the packaging, especially sugars per portion, fibre, salt and allergens. A product name alone won’t answer those questions.
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g'woon wholemeal crispbread 375 g
A wholemeal variety to consider if you’re looking for a crunchy base for a late-night snack. Check the sugars per cracker and allergens on the packaging before choosing.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers 235 g
These rye crackers are a good fit if you’re looking for a rye base. For your late-night snack, check the sugars and salt per portion on the packaging, and bear in mind that they contain gluten.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers 300 g
Consider this variety if you want to take fibre into account as well as sugars. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
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Bolletje wholemeal crispbread 265 g
A wholemeal variety for anyone who wants to compare sugars and fibre together. Check which grains and allergens are listed for this version on the packaging, and how much one cracker adds to your snack.
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Wasa Lightweight Crackers 300 g
These crackers are an option if you want to put together a late-night snack with toppings. Consider the portion alongside the toppings, and compare sugars, salt and allergens on the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as a low sugar figure?
No: a low figure describes how much sugar a product contains, while ‘less’ requires a comparison with a similar product. So check both the nutrition table and the basis for any claim on the packaging.
Should I compare sugars per cracker or per 100 g?
Use both: per 100 g lets you compare products on an equal basis, while the figure per cracker helps you assess your portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 0.3 g of sugars for one 10 g piece of wholemeal crispbread; the figure for a specific product may differ.
Is wholemeal rye crispbread gluten-free?
No, rye contains gluten. If you’re avoiding gluten, always check the allergen information for the specific product; the term ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t mean a cracker is gluten-free.
Can crispbread contain iodised salt?
It can if baker’s salt has been used in its preparation. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the use of iodised baker’s salt in bread substitutes and other bakery products. To check whether a specific variety contains it, consult the product information on the packaging.
How should I store crispbread after opening?
Store it in a dry place and seal the pack tightly after opening. Follow the storage instructions for your chosen product; for the varieties consulted, Wasa and Jumbo advise keeping the packaging tightly closed.