Walkers comparing sugar content
You want a biscuit for the trail, but first compare the sugar content per 100 g of similar products. Voedingscentrum recommends comparing products per 100 g, as portion sizes can vary.
Who might find this choice useful?
Walkers planning their portions
You’re looking for an amount that’s easy to carry or share. Individually wrapped biscuits can be handy, but that alone tells you nothing about the sugar content per 100 g.
Walkers checking allergens
You need to know which allergens are listed on the packaging before you buy. The products mentioned here include wheat and soya, as well as warnings about almonds or nuts; the information varies by product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by comparing the sugar content per 100 g of similar speculaas. Then decide what portion you want to take with you and check the allergens on the packaging of your chosen product.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | For similar speculaas, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and read exactly what any sugar claim means. | If I want less sugar, I don’t let a small pack outweigh the nutritional information. For around 46% of consumers, comparing sugar content comes first. |
| Portion and packaging | Check how many biscuits and how many grams are in a portion or pack. | I want to be able to take and share a suitable amount on a walk; around 27% of consumers prioritise portion convenience above all else. |
| Allergens | Check both the ingredients list and statements such as ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the current packaging. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the specific product before I set off. For around 27% of consumers, this check is the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a small portion means less sugar
A portion with only a few biscuits can still come from a product with a higher sugar content per 100 g. What’s more, manufacturers set their own portion sizes, according to Voedingscentrum.
Compare similar products per 100 g first. Then use the portion information to decide how much you want to take with you.
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Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
A comparison with another product doesn’t mean a biscuit contains no sugar. The precise wording of a claim also matters.
Read the claim alongside the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information for the specific product.
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Leaving the allergen check until you’re on the trail
Ingredients and warnings vary between products. The speculaas and speculoos products described here, for example, list wheat and soya, or warn that they may contain almonds and nuts.
Before you buy, check the current packaging for the exact variety you’re taking with you.
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Taking only biscuits on a longer walk
Speculaas isn’t a substitute for a drink. Voedingscentrum recommends starting recreational activity with a full stomach and taking water with you.
Choose how much food to take based on the length of your walk, and make sure you bring something to drink too.
Brands compared
These product examples show why you should assess nutritional information and packaging separately: a convenient pack for taking with you doesn’t mean it contains less sugar.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff Speculoos XL is an example of individually portioned speculoos, not a proven lower-sugar choice.
- The pack described by Albert Heijn contains 10 individual packs, each with 2 biscuits, making it easy to share on the go.
- Speculoos and speculaas aren’t necessarily the same product. Compare the nutritional information and allergens for the variety you’re actually buying.
Albert Heijn
AH Bakkers speculaas, in a 600 g pack, is a standard speculaas whose nutritional information you can compare.
- Albert Heijn lists 33 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.
- Before buying, check the current ingredients and allergen information; the variety described contains wheat flour and may contain almonds.
Jumbo
Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas, in a 600 g pack, gives you another standard speculaas to compare with other products per 100 g.
- Jumbo lists 29 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety, compared with 33 g per 100 g for the AH Bakkers speculaas described here.
- That comparison doesn’t automatically make it a low-sugar product. The variety described contains wheat and gluten and may contain almonds and nuts.
Lidl
Lidl describes its 600 g pack of Bakkers speculaas as a product available in store.
- The product listing helps you identify the relevant pack on the shelf.
- Compare the sugar content and check the allergens on the label on that pack.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘less sugar’ mean speculaas is sugar-free?
No, ‘less sugar’ and ‘sugar-free’ don’t mean the same thing. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the packaging and see what any comparison refers to.
Should I compare speculaas per biscuit or per 100 g?
First compare similar speculaas per 100 g. According to Voedingscentrum, portion sizes can vary between manufacturers; the weight of each biscuit can then help you decide how much to take with you.
Which allergens should I check in speculaas?
Always check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product. The varieties described here list wheat or soya, for example, and sometimes state that they may contain almonds or nuts. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label.
Is speculaas enough to take on a longer walk?
Speculaas isn’t a substitute for a drink. Take water with you and decide what other food to pack based on your route; Voedingscentrum recommends starting recreational activity with a full stomach.