Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers looking for strictly sugar-free options

You want to check the claim on the packaging against the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying on a product name such as ‘Zero’.

People who eat shortly before training

You’re looking for a small snack before an early workout and want to choose something you can tolerate. The Voedingscentrum advises against large portions and products high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise.

People planning a longer workout

You look beyond the sugar-free claim because, during prolonged, intense exercise with heavy sweating, your carbohydrate and fluid intake during exercise may also matter, according to the Voedingscentrum.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the exact sugar claim, then decide whether the portion size and timing suit your workout.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free claim Check the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, published on EUR-Lex, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I’m looking for a strictly sugar-free option, I don’t want to mistake a different sugar claim for the same thing. Around 40% of consumers prioritise checking the claim.
Portion size and tolerance Check the portion size, fat, protein and fibre content. If the product contains sweeteners, read the warnings on the packaging too. Just before training, I want a small snack and don’t want to choose something that could sit in my stomach for a long time. Around 30% of consumers consider tolerance the most important factor.
Longer workouts Compare the carbohydrates per portion and plan your snack and drinks around the duration and intensity of your workout. If I’m exercising intensely for longer and sweating a lot, I don’t want to base my food and drink plan on a single biscuit. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this planning.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘Zero’ means ‘sugar-free’

    A product name or the claim ‘no added sugars’ does not, on its own, confirm that a biscuit meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

    Read the exact claim and compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutritional information.

  • Looking only at sugars just before exercise

    According to the Voedingscentrum, a large portion and products high in fat, protein or fibre can take longer to digest.

    Check the portion size too, and try a new biscuit on an ordinary training day first.

  • Trying a new sweetener before an important workout

    The Voedingscentrum states that products containing more than 10% added polyols must carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and warnings, especially if you haven’t eaten the product before.

  • Relying on a sugar-free biscuit as your complete plan for a long workout

    The sugar-free claim doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates a portion contains. If you’re exercising intensely for more than an hour and sweating heavily, carbohydrates during exercise may be relevant, according to the Voedingscentrum.

    First consider the duration and intensity of your workout, then check the carbohydrates per portion and what you’ll be drinking.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Céréal

Albert Heijn lists Céréal biscuit varieties labelled ‘sugar-free’, including speculoos with almond pieces and sesame and vanilla biscuits.

  • For the sesame and vanilla variety, Albert Heijn lists a sweetener and a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and warnings for the specific variety you buy.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes AH Digestive 0% suiker.

  • The product name makes this variety worth considering if you’re choosing products based on sugar claims.
  • Albert Heijn notes that product information can change. Check the packaging for the latest ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information.

Verkade

Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars.

  • This description is relevant if you specifically want to avoid added sugars.
  • Don’t assume that ‘no added sugars’ proves a product is ‘sugar-free’ without checking the label.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a caramelised, crunchy biscuit.

  • The brand and product name help you distinguish this biscuit from varieties with an explicit sugar claim.
  • Don’t take the brand name as an indication that a product is sugar-free. Check the claim and nutritional information on the packaging you choose.

Joybuy products for this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a biscuit labelled ‘sugar-free’ still contain sugars?

Yes, but no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, published on EUR-Lex. Check the nutritional information per 100 g.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No, they’re different claims. Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as having ‘no added sugars’. If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option, check the claim on the packaging and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g separately.

Can I eat a sugar-free biscuit just before exercise?

That depends partly on the portion size and ingredients, as well as what you can tolerate. The Voedingscentrum advises against large portions and products high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise, as they can take longer to digest.

What should I look for when it comes to polyols in biscuits?

Read the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, foods containing more than 10% added polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Do I need a sugar-free biscuit for a long workout?

No, a sugar-free claim doesn’t mean you need a biscuit for a long workout. If you’re exercising intensely for more than an hour and sweating heavily, carbohydrates during exercise may be relevant, according to the Voedingscentrum. So consider your food and drink together with the duration and intensity of your workout.