Who is this comparison for?

Parents who are mainly watching sugar levels

You want to compare the amount of sugars, but if you’re considering an alternative with sweeteners, you’ll also check the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging.

Families with allergies or dietary requirements

First, check that the ingredients and any warnings about traces are suitable for the person who’ll be eating the biscuit. A gluten-free label doesn’t automatically answer other questions about allergens.

Families looking for a biscuit to portion for school

You’re looking for a practical size, without mistaking a small biscuit for a product that contains fewer sugars per 100 g. You’ll also need to consider your school’s rules about food in lunchboxes.

What should you consider when choosing?

Start with the ingredients and any dietary requirements that could rule a product out. Then compare the sugars per 100 g; the information per biscuit can help you decide on a portion size.

Speculoos labelled ‘sugar-free’

A good choice when: sugar levels are the deciding factor; Albert Heijn lists 0.4 g per 100 g for Céréal Speculoos with Almond.

Things to consider: this variety contains polyols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Regular spiced biscuits or speculoos

A good choice when: a familiar biscuit and a portion you can measure out matter more than finding the lowest sugar level.

Things to consider: choosing a smaller biscuit doesn’t change the amount of sugars per 100 g.

Gluten-free spiced biscuits

A good choice when: eating gluten-free is essential and the other ingredients are suitable.

Things to consider: gluten-free doesn’t, in itself, tell you anything about the amount of sugars.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugars and polyols Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. If a product contains sweeteners, check the ingredients and warnings too. If I’m looking for lower-sugar lunchbox snacks, I want to know what’s in the biscuit instead of sugar. For around 50% of consumers, checking both sugar and ingredients comes first.
Allergens and school rules Read the latest allergen information, including possible traces, and check your school’s rules. If an ingredient isn’t suitable or the school has rules about snacks, I need to know that before choosing based on taste. Dietary requirements or school rules are the first consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Taste and portion size Check the number of biscuits and the nutritional information per biscuit alongside the figures per 100 g. I want to be able to pack a measured portion, but I don’t take a small size as proof that a biscuit contains fewer sugars. For around 20% of consumers, this practical consideration is the deciding factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sugar-free’ means there’s nothing else to consider

    Albert Heijn lists 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Speculoos with Almond. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging before deciding how much to pack in the lunchbox.

  • Confusing gluten-free with lower in sugars

    Jumbo lists 26.9 g of sugars per 100 g for Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas. The gluten-free label answers a different question from a comparison of sugar levels.

    First check the dietary requirement that needs to be met, then compare the nutritional information of products that are suitable.

  • Looking only at the size of the biscuit

    Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g for Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos. Choosing a smaller biscuit doesn’t change that figure.

    Use the per-100 g figure to compare products and the information per biscuit to decide on a portion size.

  • Assuming every school has the same rules

    According to the Voedingscentrum, primary schools can set their own food policies. These policies determine the rules that apply at each school.

    Check the school handbook or ask the school about its lunchbox rules.

Brands and retailers compared

Céréal

Speculoos stukjes amandel zonder suikers is a useful product to compare if sugar levels are your main priority.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.
  • The same product information lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the allergens too.

Lotus Biscoff

Original Speculoos is a useful comparison for a regular biscuit that can be portioned individually.

  • The biscuits can be counted out individually to make a portion.
  • Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g for Original Speculoos; a small portion doesn’t change its nutritional composition.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s product information makes it possible to compare Céréal Speculoos with AH Bakkers speculaas.

  • Albert Heijn lists 33 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Bakkers speculaas.
  • Product information can change, so check the nutritional information on the packaging of the product you buy.

Jumbo

Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas is worth considering if you need a gluten-free option.

  • Jumbo displays the Crossed Grain certification mark for these spiced biscuits.
  • Jumbo also lists 26.9 g of sugars per 100 g. Check for other allergens separately.

Lidl

Lidl Bakkers speculaas is a regular product for comparison, sold in a 600 g pack.

  • The Dutch product page describes it as spiced biscuits.
  • To compare sugar levels, check the nutrition table on the packaging.

ALDI

The almond and banketspijs-filled speculaas is a different product from loose spiced biscuits.

  • ALDI describes a pack containing 2 × 250 g.
  • Check the nutritional information and allergens for this filled variety separately before comparing it with regular spiced biscuits.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a smaller biscuit the same as speculoos labelled ‘sugar-free’?

No. Albert Heijn lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Speculoos with Almond, while Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists 38.1 g per 100 g for Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos. A smaller portion doesn’t change the nutritional information per 100 g.

What should I look out for in biscuits containing maltitol?

Check how many polyols the specific product contains and read any warnings on the packaging. Albert Heijn lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Speculoos with Almond and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the allergens too.

Are gluten-free spiced biscuits automatically lower in sugars?

No. Jumbo lists 26.9 g of sugars per 100 g for Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas. Use the gluten-free label to check that it meets the relevant dietary requirement, and compare sugar levels separately.

How should I store an opened pack for a lunchbox later on?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the product you’ve bought. Albert Heijn advises storing Céréal Speculoos in a dry place at room temperature. For AH Bakkers speculaas, it advises storing it in a cool, dark, dry place and keeping it in a sealed tin after opening.