For your afternoon coffee, first decide whether you want chocolate sprinkles with a relative reduction in sugar or a variety in which some of the sugar has been replaced with polyols. A claim of 30% less sugar does not mean sugar-free. If you choose a product with a lower declared sugar content, pay attention to the sweetener, the warning on the packaging and your portion size.
If you want to keep adding chocolate sprinkles to your afternoon coffee, you could consider a variety with a relative reduction in sugar. Compare the sugars per 100 g and bear in mind how much you sprinkle on: less sugar does not mean sugar-free.
If the declared sugars per 100 g are your priority, you could also consider sprinkles containing maltitol. Check the amount of polyols and the warning on the packaging too; the sugar figure alone does not tell you everything about the product.
If you have an allergy, are sensitive to polyols or have individual dietary advice to follow, the ingredients, portion size and your overall diet all matter. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, some older people may need additional dietary advice.
First decide whether a relative reduction in sugar is enough or whether you are mainly looking for a lower declared sugar figure. Then check what that choice means for your portion size and the ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Relatively less sugar | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check which standard variety the manufacturer uses for comparison. | I want regular chocolate sprinkles with my coffee, but I’m keeping an eye on reducing my sugar intake. This is the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Declared sugars | As well as sugars per 100 g, check which sweeteners and polyols the product contains. | What matters most to me is how much sugar the label lists, as long as the other ingredients suit my preferences. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Personal dietary advice | If you have individual dietary advice to follow, take your portion size and total carbohydrates into account. | I want the sprinkles to fit with my personal dietary plan, not just to say ‘less sugar’ on the pack. This matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Allergens and tolerance | Check the current ingredients, allergens and any warning about polyols. | If I have an allergy or am sensitive to polyols, I need to know exactly what’s in the pack first. Around 17% of consumers make this their priority. |
The Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties reviewed, both of which claim a relative reduction in sugar, list 43 g and 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. The claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar is in your portion.
Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and compare that figure with the amount of sprinkles you use.
According to Jumbo’s product information, Céréal Hagelslag Puur contains 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
If you choose a variety containing maltitol, check the ingredients and warning as well as the nutritional information.
If your appetite or nutritional status needs attention, choosing a particular type of sprinkles won’t answer the question of what you eat throughout the day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that some older people may need additional dietary advice.
Think of chocolate sprinkles as a topping or flavouring, and if you have personal dietary advice to follow, consider the rest of the meal or snack too.
Ingredients and allergens vary between varieties, and the pack you looked at previously may not be the same one you’re buying now.
Check the label on the exact product when you buy it, especially if allergens or polyols matter to you.
AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker is a dark chocolate sprinkle variety for anyone looking for a relative reduction in sugar.
Jumbo Hagelslag Melk Minder Suiker is a milk chocolate variety with a relative sugar reduction claim.
Céréal Hagelslag Puur offers a different approach: this variety contains maltitol and lists fewer declared sugars than the varieties with a relative sugar reduction discussed here.
Venz is described as a milk chocolate sprinkle variety with a 30%-less-sugar claim.
De Ruijter Kleintjes is worth considering if individually portioned packs and a mix of sprinkles and flakes matter more to you than a lower-sugar claim.
No. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties reviewed list 43 g and 42.6 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. Check the ‘of which sugars’ line on the exact pack, not just the claim on the front.
Check the amount of sugars and polyols, as well as the warning on the packaging. According to Jumbo’s product information, Céréal Hagelslag Puur lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
No. Take your portion size and the rest of the nutritional information into account alongside the advice that applies to you. The Diabetes Fund advises people with type 2 diabetes to discuss their diet with a healthcare professional; a claim on one pack is no substitute for personal advice.
Check the ingredients, allergens, sugars per 100 g and the amount you plan to use. If the variety contains polyols, read the accompanying warning too. And if you’re buying a new pack, don’t assume it has the same label you saw before.
