Sugar-conscious buyers of sandwich toppings
You’re looking for a chocolate topping labelled as lower in sugar and want to weigh up whether sprinkles are a suitable alternative to flakes.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Chocolate flake fans
The chunky texture of flakes matters to you. You want to choose a flake variety without assuming that ‘dark’ means it contains less sugar.
Online shoppers comparing labels
You want to check the pack size, sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens before ordering, and be able to check the label once your order arrives.
What should you look for when choosing?
Lower-sugar sprinkles
When: The lower-sugar label matters more to you than the shape of your sandwich topping; Albert Heijn and Jumbo list these sprinkles in their online ranges.
Trade-off: Sprinkles don’t have the chunky texture of chocolate flakes. Check the nutritional information for the exact product you choose.
Regular chocolate flakes
When: You specifically want flakes; Jumbo lists dark, milk and mixed varieties, among others.
Trade-off: Regular flakes aren’t automatically a lower-sugar option. The nutrition table gives you a basis for comparison.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Check the label on the exact product and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products on the same basis. | If keeping sugar lower is your priority, you could also consider sprinkles if you’re happy to forgo the flake texture; around 45% of consumers give this need the highest priority. |
| Texture and flavour variety | Check whether the product name says flakes or sprinkles, and which variety you’re ordering. ‘Dark’ doesn’t mean lower in sugar. | If the chunky flake texture is the deciding factor for me, I don’t want to order sprinkles by mistake; around 33% of consumers put texture first. |
| Up-to-date product information | Check the ingredients, allergens and pack size on the current product page, then check the label again when your order arrives. | When ordering online, I want to know that the product information matches my pack; around 22% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming flakes and sprinkles are the same product
The lower-sugar label appears on the sprinkles listed in the online options mentioned here. If you’re only looking for flakes, you could miss this other type of product.
Try searching for ‘lower-sugar sprinkles’ too, then decide which texture you want to order.
-
Assuming ‘dark’ means ‘less sugar’
Jumbo lists cocoa solids for specific dark flakes from De Ruijter and Venz, but that doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains.
For the exact varieties you’re considering, compare the sugars per 100 g in the nutrition table.
-
Relying only on product information you’ve seen before
Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. So a product page you viewed previously may not match the pack you receive.
Check the latest information before ordering and read the label when your order arrives, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens.
Brands to consider
Céréal
Worth considering if you want to switch from flakes to sprinkles labelled as lower in sugar.
- Céréal says its dark and milk chocolate sprinkles varieties contain less sugar.
- This label applies to these sprinkle products, not chocolate flakes or the entire range.
Albert Heijn
A supermarket range to explore if you’re looking for sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’.
- Albert Heijn lists its own dark and milk chocolate sprinkles with this label.
- Albert Heijn says product details can change, so check the current product page and packaging.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you want to compare flakes with lower-sugar sprinkles within one supermarket range.
- Jumbo lists regular chocolate flakes as well as Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker 200 g.
- Product types and varieties differ, so compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering.
De Ruijter
A brand to look at if you’re after regular chocolate flakes.
- Jumbo lists De Ruijter Vlokken Puur 300 g as a flake variety.
- The word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains; check the nutrition table for that.
Venz
Worth considering if you want to compare a crunchy flake variety with other chocolate flakes.
- Jumbo lists Venz Rimboe Krokovlokken puur/vanille 200 g.
- The variety name isn’t a claim that it contains less sugar; check the value per 100 g for the exact product.
Chocolate flakes at Joybuy
This product suits you if you’re looking for regular milk chocolate flakes with their distinctive texture. Check the latest nutritional information if reducing sugar is your main priority.
No image available
g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g
A good choice if you specifically want milk chocolate flakes rather than sprinkles.
300 g pack. Before choosing this product to meet a sugar target, compare the sugars per 100 g in the latest nutritional information.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order lower-sugar flakes online?
Check the exact product rather than relying on the category: the flakes listed in Jumbo’s online range are regular varieties, while Albert Heijn and Jumbo list sprinkles labelled ‘less sugar’. Try searching for sprinkles too if you’re happy with that different texture.
How do I compare the sugar in flakes and sprinkles?
Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in the nutrition table for the exact products. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g, as serving sizes can differ. Also check the ingredients and allergens that matter for your choice.
Do dark chocolate flakes also contain less sugar?
No. The word ‘dark’ on its own doesn’t mean chocolate flakes contain less sugar. For the dark variety you want to order, check the sugars per 100 g and compare it with any alternative on the same basis.
What information should I check if I have allergies?
Check the allergen information for the exact product before ordering, then read the label on the pack when it arrives. Albert Heijn says online product information about ingredients and allergens can change.