Who are these biscuits for?

Chocolate lovers comparing sugar content

You’re looking for a proper chocolate biscuit and comparing the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying on words such as ‘zero’ alone.

Shoppers who care about the type of chocolate

For a treat, you want to know whether you’re choosing a biscuit with chocolate pieces or one coated in chocolate. You weigh up that preference alongside the ingredients and nutritional values.

Shoppers who check ingredients carefully

If allergens or polyols matter to your choice, check the ingredients list and allergen information as well as the sugar content.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether chocolate is essential and what form you’d like. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients of the option you’re considering.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar content Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 0 g for Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie; Jumbo lists 0.5 g for Céréal Choco Delight Puur. If I’m looking for a chocolate biscuit with as little sugar as possible, I want to compare the figures on the same basis. For around 40% of consumers, sugar content would be the top priority.
Type of chocolate Check whether the biscuit contains chocolate pieces or has a chocolate coating; a biscuit without chocolate is a different choice. If I specifically want chocolate pieces or a chocolate coating, a low sugar figure alone isn’t enough. For around 30% of consumers, the type of chocolate would come first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for the option you’ve chosen on the current packaging. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the product’s composition determines whether a biscuit is suitable for me. For around 20% of consumers, this would be the main consideration.
Polyols Check which sweeteners are used, the stated amount of polyols and any usage warnings. If I want to take polyols into account, the sugar figure alone doesn’t tell me enough to make my choice. For around 10% of consumers, this would be the most important consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘no added sugars’ to mean ‘sugar-free’

    According to the Voedingscentrum, products with no added sugars can still contain sugars that occur naturally. So the wording on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you on its own how much sugar the biscuit contains.

    Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in the nutrition table and read the ingredients list too.

  • Comparing only the sugar content

    Alongside 0 g sugars, Albert Heijn lists 414 kcal per 100 g for Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie. Alongside 0.5 g sugars, Jumbo lists 427 kcal and 20 g fat per 100 g for Céréal Choco Delight Puur. So a lower sugar figure doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value.

    When weighing up snack options, also compare energy, fat, fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the portion size.

  • Overlooking sweeteners and usage warnings

    Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information lists 26 g and 24 g of polyols per 100 g respectively for the two Céréal chocolate biscuits. Packaging for products containing polyols may warn that excessive consumption can have a laxative effect.

    Before buying, check which sweeteners the option you’ve chosen contains and what warnings appear on the packaging.

  • Assuming a biscuit without chocolate is a direct substitute

    Verkade San Francisco Zero and AH Digestive 0% suiker are biscuit options for anyone keeping an eye on sugar, but the options discussed here aren’t chocolate biscuits.

    If chocolate is essential for you, compare chocolate options. If the biscuit itself is what matters most, you could also look at options without chocolate.

Brands with relevant product options

Céréal

Céréal offers two different chocolate options in this category: a cookie with chocolate pieces and a biscuit coated in dark chocolate.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g sugars per 100 g for Chocolate Chip Cookie zonder suikers; Jumbo lists 0.5 g per 100 g for Choco Delight Puur.
  • Both options contain polyols. Also check the allergens and other nutritional values for the option you choose.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco Zero is a biscuit option if chocolate isn’t essential.

  • According to Albert Heijn, this option contains no added sugar and has 1.7 g sugars per 100 g.
  • It isn’t a chocolate biscuit. The product information lists maltitols and warns of a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.

AH

AH Digestive 0% suiker is an own-brand biscuit for anyone also considering options without chocolate.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g sugars per 100 g for this option.
  • This isn’t a chocolate biscuit. Check the wheat, polyols and usage warning on the packaging of the option you choose.

Joybuy products to consider

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a chocolate biscuit with no added sugars also sugar-free?

No, not necessarily. The Voedingscentrum points out that a product with no added sugars can still contain sugars, so check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in the nutrition table.

How do I compare two lower-sugar chocolate biscuits?

First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, so different portion sizes don’t skew the comparison. Then check the type of chocolate, ingredients and allergens for the exact options you’re considering.

Why do some biscuits carry a warning about a laxative effect?

Some biscuits containing polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption can have a laxative effect. Check the warning and the sweeteners used on the product’s current packaging.

Does ‘zero’ on the packaging tell me whether a biscuit contains chocolate?

No. If you’re looking for a chocolate biscuit, check the product description and ingredients: the Verkade San Francisco Zero and AH Digestive 0% suiker discussed here are biscuits without chocolate.