If a sugar-free treat is an absolute must, a stroopwafel with ‘less sugar’ won’t necessarily fit the bill. Check the exact wording on the pack and the nutritional information per 100 g. If you mainly want to keep the classic stroopwafel but choose one with less sugar, compare the sugar content. Albert Heijn says its reduced-sugar butter stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than the regular AH version, but still have 23 g of sugars per 100 g. For an advent calendar, also check the portion size, ingredients and allergens of the variant you buy.
A stroopwafel with less sugar isn’t the same as a product labelled ‘sugar-free’. If the classic stroopwafel doesn’t meet your requirements, you could look at other biscuits or wafer treats. Check the carbohydrates, sweeteners and allergens on the packaging too.
You want a familiar stroopwafel in your calendar, but you’re comparing options by their sugar content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing the nutritional information of similar products per 100 g.
You’re dividing treats between individual days of the calendar and possibly sharing them with different people. Check the portion size, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging for each variant you choose.
First decide whether a sugar-free option is essential or whether you’re looking for a stroopwafel with less sugar. Then check that the portion size and ingredients are suitable for the person receiving the calendar treat.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free or less sugar | Read the exact wording on the pack and compare the amount of sugars per 100 g. | If a sugar-free treat is an absolute must for me, I don’t want to rely on a relative claim on a stroopwafel. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Less sugar, but still a stroopwafel | Compare similar stroopwafels per 100 g for sugars and carbohydrates; also consider the portion you plan to serve. | I want to keep the stroopwafel in the calendar, but I also want to know how much sugar the chosen option still contains. For around 33% of consumers, this combination comes first. |
| Portion size and ingredients | Check the portion size, allergens and ingredients; if sweeteners are used, look out for polyols too. | When treats are for different people, I want to know what each option contains and how I can divide them up. For around 25% of consumers, this is their first consideration. |
‘Less sugar’ describes a comparison; it doesn’t mean that a product contains no sugars. Albert Heijn says its reduced-sugar butter stroopwafels still contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g.
Read the exact claim and check the amount of sugars per 100 g before choosing a variant for your calendar.
A product labelled ‘sugar-free’ may still contain other carbohydrates and sweeteners. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, polyols are sweeteners; the Network of Diabetes Dietitians warns that consuming large amounts can cause digestive problems.
Also check the ‘carbohydrates’ row and the ingredients list. For personal medical or dietary questions, ask your healthcare professional or dietitian for advice.
A lower sugar content doesn’t automatically tell you about the product’s overall nutritional value. The portion you put in an advent calendar is also a different basis for comparison from 100 g.
First compare similar products per 100 g, then check the nutritional information for the portion you plan to give.
Ingredients and allergens can vary between variants. A product you bought before doesn’t tell you enough about the stroopwafel or other treat you’re putting in the calendar now.
Before filling the calendar, check the allergen information on the packaging of the exact variant you’ve chosen.
A brand name alone won’t tell you whether a particular stroopwafel is sugar-free. It’s the product variant and its label that matter.
AH Roomboter Minder Suiker Stroopwafels are an option if you want to keep a stroopwafel in your calendar while choosing one with less sugar than the regular AH version.
Worth considering if you’re also open to a biscuit treat with less sugar, rather than sticking to the classic stroopwafel shape.
A traditional stroopwafel option if reducing or avoiding sugar isn’t your main priority.
Jumbo’s stroopwafel range includes own-brand options and a separate variant marketed as gluten-free.
No. ‘Less sugar’ is a comparison with another product. Albert Heijn says its reduced-sugar butter stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than the regular AH version, but still have 23 g of sugars per 100 g. So check both the exact wording and the nutrition table.
Compare the amount of sugars in similar products per 100 g. This prevents differences in portion size from skewing the comparison. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis when comparing labels. Then consider how much of the product you actually plan to give as a calendar treat.
No. The term ‘sugar-free’ doesn’t answer every personal dietary question. Check the carbohydrates and ingredients too, and ask your healthcare professional or dietitian for advice tailored to diabetes.
Before filling the advent calendar, read the allergen information on the current packaging of every variant you’ve chosen. Don’t rely on the brand name alone or on another variant you bought before. Keep the packaging so recipients can check the information for themselves.
