When choosing speculaas for a coffee break, don’t rely on terms such as ‘sugar-conscious’ or ‘sugar-free’ alone. Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and read the ingredients. Albert Heijn lists 33 g of sugars per 100 g for its regular Bakkers speculaas, while Jumbo lists 29 g for its regular Bakkers Speculaas, so you’ll need to look further if you’re specifically after a low-sugar option. The name of the Céréal Speculoos stukjes amandel zonder suikers listed by Albert Heijn doesn’t make checking the current nutrition table and ingredients any less important.
You only want speculaas with your coffee if you can check the sugar content on the current packaging. The figures listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo for their regular bakers’ speculaas aren’t suitable if you specifically need a low-sugar option.
You’re not necessarily looking for a product labelled ‘low sugar’, but you want to compare products on a like-for-like basis. Check the sugars per 100 g as well as the portion you have with your coffee.
You need a gluten-free option, but assess the sugar content and allergens separately. For its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas, Jumbo lists egg and possible cross-contact allergens.
Start with the factor that matters most for your coffee break: a verifiably low sugar content, the classic taste or suitable allergen information. Then check the nutritional information for the exact variant.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar content and claim | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check which claim actually appears on the packaging. The annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘low sugar’ claim on solid foods. | If I only want to eat speculaas with a demonstrably low sugar content, I need to be able to check the figure on the label. For around 50% of consumers, this sugar criterion comes first. |
| Classic taste and portion | Check the stated portion size alongside the sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists a 13 g portion for its Bakkers speculaas, while Jumbo lists a 12.5 g portion for its regular Bakkers Speculaas. | For a short coffee break, I mainly want a classic biscuit and a portion that suits the occasion. For around 30% of consumers, this preference is the top priority. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the allergen information for the exact variant and check the sugar content separately. For its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas, Jumbo lists egg and 26.9 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I need to choose a gluten-free option, I want to know what other allergens the biscuit contains. For around 20% of consumers, suitable nutritional information is the first requirement when buying. |
A category or product name doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuit contains per 100 g. For the ‘low sugar’ nutrition claim on solid foods, the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check the current nutrition table before choosing a product to meet a strict sugar limit.
Albert Heijn lists 33 g of sugars per 100 g for its Bakkers speculaas; Jumbo lists 29 g per 100 g for its regular Bakkers Speculaas.
Choose these products for a classic speculaas experience, not if you need a demonstrably low-sugar option.
Jumbo lists 26.9 g of sugars per 100 g for its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas. The product information also mentions egg and possible cross-contact allergens.
Check the exact packaging for the gluten-free claim, sugars and any allergens that are relevant to you.
Sweeteners vary from product to product. The Voedingscentrum says that consuming large amounts of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea; the product name alone doesn’t tell you which sweeteners have been used.
So read the ingredients list and bear in mind how much you’ll actually eat.
Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos stukjes amandel zonder suikers in its sugar-conscious biscuit category.
Regular AH Bakkers speculaas is a separate option for anyone looking for classic speculaas to have with coffee or tea.
Jumbo lists both regular Bakkers Speculaas and the separate Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas.
Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit to enjoy with coffee.
Lidl Netherlands lists 600 g packs of Bakkers speculaas as a product in its stores.
For the ‘low sugar’ nutrition claim on solid foods, the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the current packaging for ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g; a term such as ‘sugar-conscious’ doesn’t tell you this figure.
No, these terms don’t mean the same thing. If a low sugar content is essential for you, check the specific claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
No. Jumbo lists 26.9 g of sugars per 100 g for its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas. Check the gluten-free claim, sugar content and allergens separately for the exact variant.
Read the ingredients list to see which sweeteners the specific product contains. The Voedingscentrum says that consuming large amounts of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea, so also pay attention to the portion you eat.
Always check the allergen information on the current packaging for the variant you choose. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s regular Bakkers speculaas contains wheat and gluten; for its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas, Jumbo lists egg and possible cross-contact allergens.
