Parents keeping an eye on sugar
If you want a crunchy base for an after-school snack, compare the sugar content per 100 g rather than looking only at the amount per cracker. Then check what the topping adds to the snack.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents packing a snack for school or after-school club
When packing a snack, both the allergens on the packaging and the setting’s rules matter. Rye crispbread contains gluten; other allergens vary by product.
Families who eat crispbread regularly
If crispbread is a regular feature at home, the fibre and salt listed on the packaging, the amount served and the topping you choose all matter alongside the sugar content.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with any allergies or school and after-school club rules. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g of the products that meet those requirements, then decide on the amount and topping.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for similar types of crispbread. Check the topping separately. | If I want a lower-sugar snack, I don’t want to rely on the amount per cracker when crackers vary in weight. Around 36% of consumers put comparing sugar content first. |
| Allergens and setting rules | Read the current allergen information and ask what rules apply at school or after-school club. | When my child takes a snack with them, it needs to suit the allergens we need to avoid and the setting’s rules. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Fibre and salt | Check fibre and salt per 100 g; when putting the snack together, factor in the amount of crispbread and the topping too. | For a snack I serve regularly, I want to look beyond sugar content alone. Around 21% of consumers say this is the factor they pay most attention to. |
| Consistent availability | Check that your preferred variety is available, and read the label again when you buy a new pack. | If a particular crispbread works well at home, I want to be able to choose the same variety next time I shop. For around 14% of consumers, this practical consideration matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing sugar content per cracker only
Crackers and stated portion sizes can vary in weight. So the amount per cracker doesn’t give you a like-for-like comparison.
Voedingscentrum recommends comparing nutritional information per 100 g, then deciding how many crackers to serve as a snack.
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Assuming rye crispbread is gluten-free
Rye contains gluten. Other allergens can also vary between products; Wasa Lichtgewicht, for example, lists milk.
Before packing the snack, check the current packaging and the rules at school or after-school club. If you need a gluten-free option, choose a product that is explicitly labelled as suitable.
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Leaving the topping out of the comparison
The nutritional information for the crispbread alone doesn’t describe the finished snack.
Choose the crispbread and topping together, and check the relevant nutritional information for both products.
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Assuming the salt contains iodine because of where the crispbread is from
The label ‘Dutch crispbread’ doesn’t tell you what type of salt is used in that particular product.
If the type of salt matters to you, check the ingredients list on that pack.
Brands and ranges to compare
Wasa
Wasa offers wholegrain rye crispbread, lighter varieties and products that are separately labelled as gluten-free.
- Albert Heijn lists 1.5 g of sugars and 20 g of fibre per 100 g for Wasa Volkoren.
- Wasa Volkoren contains rye and gluten. Wasa Lichtgewicht lists milk and 3.5 g of sugars per 100 g; both product pages list 1.2 g of salt per 100 g.
Ryvita
Ryvita’s UK product website features several types of rye crispbread, including Original.
- Ryvita Original’s UK product information lists wholegrain rye flour, rye flour and salt as ingredients.
- The UK information doesn’t tell you which pack or recipe you’ll find if you buy it in the Netherlands. Original contains rye and therefore gluten.
Albert Heijn huismerk
The own-brand range includes several types of crispbread, including wholegrain and sesame varieties.
- You can browse the range for a variety that suits the snack you have in mind.
- Always check the exact variety for sugar, fibre, salt and allergens, as these details aren’t the same across the whole own-brand range.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists several Wasa varieties online, including Volkoren, Lichtgewicht and products separately labelled as gluten-free.
- The range page makes it easy to look at different Wasa varieties side by side.
- Check the product information and current packaging for your chosen variety, especially if allergens are a key consideration.
Lidl
Lidl has a product page for wholegrain crispbread.
- If you’re looking for wholegrain crispbread, you can include this variety in your comparison.
- Check the pack for the exact product’s sugar, fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens.
Crispbread for an after-school snack
These crispbreads could make a good base for an after-school snack. Before choosing a variety or packing it to take with you, compare the current packaging for sugar, fibre, salt and allergens.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread, 265 g
A wholegrain variety to compare as a base for an after-school snack. When packing it, check the current allergen information and the rules at school or after-school club.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread, 375 g
A wholegrain option if you’re looking for crispbread as a snack base. Before packing it to take along, check the allergens on the packaging and the rules at school or after-school club.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers, 300 g
A Wasa variety to consider if fibre is one of your priorities when choosing a snack base. Compare sugars and salt per 100 g too, and read the allergen information.
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Wasa Wholegrain Crispbread, 260 g
A wholegrain Wasa variety for anyone considering plain crispbread as a snack base. For school or after-school club, check the current information on gluten and other allergens.
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Bolletje Light Crispbread Golden Crisp, 240 g
A lighter crispbread variety to compare with other snack bases. Don’t let the name replace a check of sugars per 100 g and the allergens listed on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the sugar content of crispbread?
For similar products, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, not just the amount per cracker. Voedingscentrum recommends comparing labels on this equal-weight basis; then check the topping and how much you plan to serve.
Can rye crispbread be included if a gluten-free snack is needed?
No. Rye crispbread isn’t gluten-free because rye contains gluten. If you need a gluten-free option, choose a suitable product that is explicitly labelled as gluten-free, and also check the current allergen information and the rules at school or after-school club.
Is ‘wholegrain’ on the front enough to help me choose?
No. ‘Wholegrain’ doesn’t tell you everything about the snack. Check the nutritional information for sugars, fibre and salt, read the allergen information and factor the topping into your choice.
Does Dutch crispbread always contain salt with added iodine?
Don’t assume so without checking the ingredients list for the exact product. If the type of salt matters to you, check what the current packaging says.