When choosing between stroopwafels and a box of chocolates, start by considering what the recipient likes to eat. Without checking a specific product label, neither category can be said to be the lighter choice. If you’re watching your weight and fancy a stroopwafel as a treat, compare similar varieties per 100 g for energy and sugars, then decide how much you actually want to eat.
You want to enjoy a stroopwafel now and then while keeping an eye on your energy intake. The nutrition information per 100 g and the amount you plan to eat are more useful when making your choice than a claim on the front of the pack alone.
You’re looking for a stroopwafel that suits a gluten-free or plant-based diet, for example. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety you’re considering: one claim won’t tell you everything about the product.
You’re looking for something to take when visiting or to give as a small gift. In that case, the number of pieces and whether they’re easy to share may matter more than a large pack.
First decide whether stroopwafels or chocolate are the treat you’re after. Then compare products within that category, looking at the values per 100 g as well as the amount you plan to eat.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and sugars | Compare similar stroopwafels per 100 g for energy and sugars; also check saturated fat and fibre. | I want to compare different stroopwafels before choosing one as a treat. For around 36% of consumers, comparing energy and sugars comes first. |
| Portion and pack | Check the number of pieces, the weight per piece on the label and how much you plan to eat. | A clear number of pieces helps me decide in advance what I’ll eat and what I’ll keep or share. Portion control is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Diet and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any gluten-free or plant-based claim for the variety you’ve chosen. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the stroopwafel must meet that requirement first. For around 21% of consumers, suitability is the most important factor. |
| Suitable as a gift | Find out what treat the recipient would like and whether the number of pieces is right for sharing. | When visiting, I want to take something the recipient will enjoy and can share. For around 14% of consumers, buying a gift is the deciding factor. |
Less sugar doesn’t automatically mean you can have a larger portion. Albert Heijn says its Roomboter stroopwafel met minder suiker contains 32% less sugar than its own Roomboter variety; energy per 100 g and your portion size still matter too.
Compare the nutrition information for both varieties per 100 g, then decide how much you want to eat.
A 31,5 g portion and a 39 g portion aren’t the same amount. Comparing only the values per stated portion can therefore give you a misleading picture.
Start by comparing the values per 100 g, then check the weight of the portion you’ve chosen.
A gluten-free stroopwafel may still contain other allergens. The gluten-free varieties described by Jumbo and PLUS contain egg and lupin; gluten-free also tells you nothing by itself about energy or sugar levels.
Check all the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’ve chosen, even if it says gluten-free.
A pack designed for sharing doesn’t determine how much someone will actually eat. Nor can you tell from its gift-ready appearance how the stroopwafel compares with chocolate nutritionally.
Choose a suitable number of pieces, and check the label of a specific box of chocolates if you’re considering one.
A classic stroopwafel is an option if you’re looking for a familiar biscuit to give as a gift or enjoy with a coffee.
Within the AH range, you can assess the standard, lower-sugar and plant-based stroopwafels as separate varieties.
The Lekker Vrij van Gluten stroopwafels described are worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a gluten-free variety.
The gluten-free PLUS stroopwafels described are an option to assess by their ingredients and nutrition if gluten-free is a requirement for you.
The Sondey butter stroopwafels described come in a pack of 12, with a total weight of 480 g.
The ALDI stroopwafels described come in a pack of 12, weighing 378 g.
These two Kanjers packs are options if you’re looking for standard stroopwafels to serve as a treat or share. The number of pieces is stated; check the label of your chosen variety to assess its nutritional values and decide on a portion that suits you.
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A pack of 10 if you’d like to hand out stroopwafels or choose how many to have in advance.
Check the label for the nutrition information per 100 g and the weight of the portion you plan to eat.
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A pack of 8 if you’re looking for a set number of stroopwafels to serve as a treat or share.
To help choose your portion, check the weight of each stroopwafel and the nutrition information on the pack.
You can enjoy a stroopwafel as a treat and make a conscious choice about how much you eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends following the Dutch Wheel of Five as a basis when losing weight, rather than making biscuits an everyday staple. Nutrition information and portion size can help you assess a specific product.
Check the figures for each variety. Albert Heijn lists 396 kcal per 100 g for its Roomboter stroopwafel met minder suiker, compared with 458 kcal per 100 g for the standard AH stroopwafel described here. That difference still doesn’t tell you how much you’ll end up eating.
You can’t tell from the gluten-free claim alone. For the gluten-free stroopwafels described, Jumbo lists 42,4 g of sugars per 100 g and PLUS lists 41,13 g per 100 g. Also check the other allergens in the variety you choose.
Check the allergen statement and ingredients on the pack of the exact variety you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on food labels; a claim such as gluten-free doesn’t replace checking the full label.
