Parents putting together a regular school lunch
You don’t want a biscuit to become a regular lunchbox staple. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing mainly from the Wheel of Five for meals at school.
Who is this choice for?
Families mindful of gluten or other allergens
You look beyond claims on the front of the pack and read the full label. For example, Jumbo lists egg and lupin in its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels, and warns that the product may contain nuts and sesame.
Anyone buying an occasional treat or small gift
You’re looking for something for a particular occasion, not for everyday lunch. Portion size, ingredients and the rules at the school or after-school club all matter.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re putting together an everyday lunch, an occasional treat or a gift. Then check the packaging and ingredients: a gluten-free option is a product feature, not a separate eating occasion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday school lunch | Decide whether the food is for an everyday lunch or a separate treat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing mainly from the Wheel of Five for meals at school. | When I’m packing a lunchbox for a typical school day, I don’t want a sweet treat to replace lunch. For around 40% of consumers, the everyday lunch may be the main consideration when buying. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, and check for warnings about possible traces of allergens. | If a child needs to avoid gluten or another allergen, I want to know whether the specific product is suitable. For around 30% of consumers, this may be the top priority. |
| Portion size and portability | Check how many pieces are in the pack and whether it clearly defines a lunchbox-sized portion. | For an occasional treat, I want to decide in advance how much to pack, rather than portioning out a large pack on the spot. Around 20% of consumers may prioritise this. |
| Treat or gift | Distinguish between handing out treats and giving a gift. If it’s for school or an after-school club, check the rules first. | When I’m looking for something for a special occasion, I want it to be suitable and allowed to be brought in or handed out. This may be the main consideration for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating a syrup waffle as part of lunch
A biscuit doesn’t replace the Wheel of Five choices that the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends for meals at school.
Put together the everyday lunch first, then decide separately whether you want to include an occasional treat.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
Jumbo lists egg and lupin in its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels, and says the product may contain nuts and sesame.
Compare the full information on the latest packaging with the allergens that need to be avoided.
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Assuming a bulk pack is ready-portioned for school
The 480 g wrapper listed by PLUS doesn’t automatically make it a portion-sized pack for a lunchbox.
Choose a clearly portioned pack or decide at home in advance how much to take.
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Relying on a product page you viewed earlier
Packaging and product information can change. For example, the Jumbo pack of 8 x 29 g syrup waffles listed previously is no longer in Jumbo’s online range.
When you buy, check the packaging, ingredients, allergens and availability of your chosen product again.
Brands to consider
These examples highlight differences in product format and label information; they don’t tell you whether every product from a brand is suitable.
Daelmans
PLUS lists a bag of Daelmans syrup waffles containing 10 pieces, giving you the option to choose a portion for an occasional treat.
- The variant described by PLUS contains butter, cinnamon and vanilla.
- PLUS lists wheat, cereals containing gluten, soya and milk as allergens in this variant.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels variant. If you’re choosing for dietary reasons, always check the packaging for that specific product.
- Jumbo describes this variant as gluten-free.
- According to Jumbo, this variant contains egg and lupin and may contain nuts and sesame. The previously listed standard pack of 8 x 29 g is no longer in its online range.
PLUS
PLUS lists Stroopwafels Per Wikkel, a 480 g bulk pack that you can divide into portions yourself.
- The listed pack weight makes it possible to compare this product with smaller formats.
- PLUS lists a Nutri-Score of E and names wheat, cereals containing gluten, soya and milk in its allergen information. The score alone doesn’t determine whether a product is right for a particular occasion.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range includes AH syrup waffles, an AH gluten-free organic product and Daelmans syrup waffles.
- The product pages are a useful starting point for comparing individual variants.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. So always read the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
Products for a treat or gift
The first two products are syrup waffles for an occasional treat. They’re followed by two chocolate gifts and a pack of chocolate wafers that could work as a small gift or treat; none of these products replaces an everyday school lunch. Before taking anything to school, check the local policy and, where necessary, the latest label.
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Kanjers Original Syrup Waffles, 8 pieces
For anyone who wants to pack a syrup waffle now and then and choose a portion at home. If you have allergies, check the latest label, particularly for wheat, milk and soya.
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Kanjers Extra Delicious Syrup Waffles, 10 pieces
A pack to choose a portion from for an occasional syrup waffle treat. If individually wrapped waffles are important, check the packaging, and remember to check the label if you have allergies.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate selection for a separate gift occasion, not for an everyday lunchbox. Check the latest label if milk, nuts, soya or cereals containing gluten need to be avoided.
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Milka Thank You Pralines Milk Cream
Pralines for a thank-you or another gift occasion, separate from the school lunch. If you have allergies, read the latest label, paying particular attention to milk, soya and hazelnuts.
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Nestle Kitkat Strawberry Short Cake, 9 pieces, 104.4 g
A pack of chocolate wafers for a small gift or occasional treat; it isn’t a syrup waffle or a selection of boxed chocolates. Before handing them out, check the school rules and read the full label if you have allergies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a syrup waffle in my child’s school lunchbox every day?
A syrup waffle isn’t a suitable everyday staple for a school lunch. For meals at school and snacks, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing mainly from the Wheel of Five, including vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products. Save syrup waffles for an occasional treat.
Are gluten-free syrup waffles free from other allergens too?
No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from all other allergens. Jumbo lists egg and lupin in its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels and warns that they may contain nuts and sesame. Check the latest label for any allergens that matter in your situation.
What label information should I check when choosing?
At the very least, check the ingredients and allergens for the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on food labels. Compare it with the needs of the person you’re buying for.
Can I send a box of chocolates to school as a treat?
First, ask the school or after-school club whether you’re allowed to bring in or hand out a box of chocolates as a treat or gift. Don’t use it as a replacement for an everyday school lunch, and check the ingredients and allergens if you’re sharing it.