The coffee drinker looking to cut down on sugar
You’re specifically looking for a biscuit with little or no sugar. Sweeteners may be an option for you, as long as you also check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the packaging.
Who are these choices relevant to?
The fan of a familiar coffee-time treat
Perhaps you fancy a syrup waffle or chocolate biscuit, but want one with a clearly stated sugar reduction compared with a similar standard product.
The label checker
As well as sugar, you look at energy, saturated fat, fibre, ingredients and serving size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking beyond the front of the pack when choosing snacks.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether a low sugar content or a familiar biscuit with a substantiated reduction matters more to you. Then use the nutritional information and the weight per biscuit to compare products for the same coffee break.
| What to look for | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| As little sugar as possible | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per biscuit; also check the ingredients list for sweeteners. | If I mainly want as little sugar as possible with my coffee, I need to distinguish ‘sugar-free’ from ‘less sugar’. Around 36% of consumers prioritise the lowest possible sugar content. |
| Familiar taste with a reduction | Check which standard product the reduction is compared with and how much sugar the biscuit still contains. | A syrup waffle or chocolate biscuit still appeals to me if the sugar reduction is clear, even if the product still contains sugar. For around 29% of consumers, this combination matters most. |
| Nutritional value and portion size | Compare energy, saturated fat and fibre per 100 g, and check how much one biscuit weighs. | If I have coffee regularly, I want to know what my usual portion contains, not just what the front of the pack says. Around 21% of consumers prioritise overall nutritional value and portion size. |
| Availability | Check whether your chosen product is currently available in your shop or online. | If I want to buy the same biscuit regularly, it matters whether I can find it easily. For around 14% of consumers, availability is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
The terms don’t mean the same thing. Albert Heijn says its AH Butter less sugar syrup waffles contain 32% less sugar than its standard AH butter syrup waffles, but they still contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare the sugar content in the nutritional information table. If there’s a reduction claim, check which product it is being compared with.
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Overlooking sweeteners and warnings
Product pages from Albert Heijn and Jumbo warn that certain biscuits containing sweeteners may have a laxative effect if eaten in excess.
Read the ingredients list and the warning on the packaging before deciding how many biscuits to have.
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Assuming a low sugar content means low energy
According to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% Sugar contains 465 kcal per 100 g. So the claim on the front doesn’t replace the rest of the nutritional information.
Check the nutritional information and the weight of each biscuit to assess the portion you’ll have with your coffee.
Brands and retailers to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers both AH Digestive 0% Sugar and AH Butter less sugar syrup waffles: two different ways to keep an eye on sugar during your coffee break.
- The product pages provide nutritional information and ingredients so you can compare the two types of product.
- Check the label on the packaging when you buy, as ingredients and nutritional values can change.
Céréal
Céréal’s range includes Sesame & Vanilla biscuits with no sugar and Choco Delight Dark with the claim ‘less sugar’.
- Jumbo’s product information lists nutritional values and ingredients for these varieties.
- Check the sweeteners, allergens, warnings and current availability for each variety.
ALDI / Goud Gebakken
ALDI describes Goud Gebakken Koekhappers as a pack of six individually wrapped gingerbread cakes, with a claim of 30% less sugar.
- The individual wrappers make it clear how many cakes you get for each coffee break.
- For a nutritional comparison, check the ingredients and nutritional information table on the packaging.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee. That makes it a flavour comparison for your coffee break, not in itself a lower-sugar choice.
- The product type is clear if you’re looking for a caramelised coffee biscuit.
- Assess any sugar reduction only by checking the specific pack and making a like-for-like comparison.
Jumbo
Jumbo provides product information for several Céréal biscuits, as well as a category for products aimed at people watching their sugar intake.
- The product pages can help you compare the nutritional values of individual varieties.
- Check whether the specific biscuit is available before choosing it for your regular coffee break.
Biscuit-style bars on Joybuy
This biscuit-style bar is worth considering if you’re looking at a product labelled ‘Less Sugar’ to have with your coffee. Before comparing it with biscuits, check the amount of sugar per bar and what the claim refers to on the packaging.
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g'woon Cookie Bars Less Sugar, 6 bars
A biscuit-style bar for anyone looking to compare products labelled as lower in sugar to enjoy with their coffee. The pack contains 6 bars; check the sugar and energy content per bar, and what ‘Less Sugar’ is being compared with.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘less sugar’ mean a biscuit is sugar-free?
No, a biscuit with less sugar can still contain sugar. Albert Heijn says its AH Butter less sugar syrup waffles contain 32% less sugar than the standard AH variety, while still containing 23 g of sugars per 100 g. So remember to check the nutritional information table too.
Is a sugar-free biscuit automatically suitable for every coffee break?
No, sugar content alone doesn’t give you the full picture. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking beyond the front of the pack. Compare the ingredients, other nutritional values and the portion you plan to have too.
What should I look for with maltitol and other polyols?
Read the ingredients list and any warning on the packaging. The product pages for AH Digestive 0% Sugar and Céréal Sesame & Vanilla warn that these products may have a laxative effect if eaten in excess.
How should I store an opened pack of biscuits?
Follow the storage instructions for the specific product. For AH Digestive 0% Sugar, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a cool, dark and dry place and putting them in an airtight tin after opening.