If reducing sugar is your priority for an afternoon snack, compare the exact claim and nutritional information of the biscuit you choose. Jumbo offers Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces as a product ‘without sugars’, but it contains maltitol and several allergens. Classic speculaas for that familiar flavour and gluten-free speculaas cater to different needs; those characteristics alone tell you nothing about the sugar content.
You’re looking for a biscuit to enjoy with tea or coffee and want to compare sugar levels. Look beyond the front of the pack: the nutritional information, portion size and sweetener used all matter too.
You want to choose speculaas or speculoos without overlooking ingredients you need to avoid. A statement about sugars doesn’t tell you which allergens the biscuit contains.
You’re mainly after the familiar taste of a biscuit for an afternoon snack. Regular speculoos remains a separate option if reducing sugar isn’t your main requirement.
When choosing speculaas or speculoos for an afternoon snack, first decide what matters most to you: less sugar, suitable ingredients or classic flavour. Then check the other characteristics separately.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Read the exact claim and compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure on a like-for-like basis, per 100 g and per portion. | When choosing a biscuit to have with coffee, I want to compare sugars without losing sight of my portion size. Sugar reduction is the main reason for buying for around 50% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information; check a gluten-free claim separately from the sugar content. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on a sugar claim alone. Around 30% of consumers prioritise suitability based on ingredients. |
| Classic flavour | Check whether you’re choosing regular speculaas or speculoos, and how many biscuits make up a portion for you. | I’m mainly looking for a familiar biscuit to have with tea, and less sugar isn’t a deciding factor. Classic flavour matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
A shop category doesn’t tell you exactly what the nutritional information is for each individual biscuit. Albert Heijn also notes that product information can change.
Check the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the pack you choose. Compare products per 100 g and, if you’re comparing portions, per portion.
According to Jumbo, Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces contains maltitol and, among other ingredients, wheat, almonds, soya, egg, milk and barley. The sugar information doesn’t remove the need to check for allergens.
Before buying, check the sweetener and the current allergen information on the packaging.
The Voedingscentrum points out that sugar-free biscuits can still contain calories. Eating too much of a product containing maltitol may also have a laxative effect.
Check the nutritional information and portion size, and follow any warnings on the packaging.
A gluten-free claim and a sugar claim relate to different characteristics of a product.
If you need to eat gluten-free, first look for a biscuit labelled as suitable. Then compare the sugar content separately.
Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces is worth considering if you’re looking for a biscuit sold as ‘without sugars’.
Lotus Bakeries describes Original Speculoos as a biscuit to enjoy between meals or with coffee.
This speculaas is a separate option for anyone specifically looking for a gluten-free product.
Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces in its biscuit category for sugar-conscious choices.
Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas is an example of regular speculaas sold in a larger pack.
No, that statement alone doesn’t tell you how much energy a biscuit provides. The Voedingscentrum points out that sugar-free biscuits can still contain calories. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and how much you plan to eat.
Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about excessive consumption. For Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces, Jumbo lists wheat, almonds, soya, egg, milk and barley as well as maltitol.
No, gluten-free and lower sugar are separate characteristics. Jumbo lists a gluten-free mark for Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas; if you want to compare sugar content, also check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the packaging.
Store it in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as the Voedingscentrum advises for sugar-free biscuits. Also follow the specific storage advice on the packaging.
