Who is this relevant to?

Shoppers looking for strictly sugar-free options

You want to choose biscuits for your weekend breakfast based on the amount of sugars per 100 g, not just the wording on the front of the pack.

Ontbijtkoek fans who pay attention to fibre

You’re looking for sliced wholegrain ontbijtkoek with fibre and accept that ‘no added sugars’ means something different from sugar-free.

Shoppers who check ingredients

As well as sugars, you want to know which sweeteners and allergens are in the biscuits, and whether the pack carries a warning about excessive consumption.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for strictly sugar-free biscuits or whether ontbijtkoek with no added sugars would suit your breakfast. Then compare the other nutritional information and ingredients of products in the same category.

What to look for What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar content Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g for a sugar-free product. If I want strictly sugar-free biscuits, the sugar content must be the deciding factor, whatever the name on the pack. An estimated 42% of shoppers put this first.
Wholegrains and fibre Check the grain, fibre and sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean sugar-free. For a weekend breakfast, I’d rather have a slice of wholegrain ontbijtkoek with fibre, even if it still contains sugars. An estimated 33% of shoppers consider this the most important factor.
Sweeteners and allergens Read the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the pack, especially for products containing polyols. If several people are eating, I want to know which ingredients matter to them before choosing biscuits. An estimated 25% of shoppers consider this first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    The terms don’t mean the same thing. Albert Heijn lists 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g for Peijnenburg Wholegrain Ontbijtkoek, sliced, with no added sugars.

    If sugar-free is a must, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 0.5 g.

  • Only checking the front of the pack

    A low sugar content doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value. For example, Albert Heijn lists 20 g of fat per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% Sugar.

    Compare similar biscuits per 100 g for sugars, fibre, fat and salt, and read the ingredients list too.

  • Leaving sweetener and allergen checks until you get home

    The products mentioned use different polyols. For some varieties, the product information says that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Ingredients such as nuts, milk, egg, soya and cereals containing gluten also vary by product.

    Before buying, read the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the specific pack, keeping in mind everyone who’ll be eating.

Brands compared

These product ranges offer different options: sugar-free biscuits and wholegrain ontbijtkoek with no added sugars are not interchangeable.

Céréal

Biscuits in varieties including speculoos and almond, and coconut, sweetened with maltitols.

  • Jumbo lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for the speculoos and almond variety, and 0 g per 100 g for the coconut variety.
  • The speculoos and almond variety contains 29 g of polyols per 100 g, as well as ingredients including almond, milk, egg, soya, barley and wheat. Check the ingredients for the variety you choose.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand range includes a Digestive 0% Sugar biscuit for anyone comparing biscuits to have with breakfast or coffee.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • The same variety contains 20 g of fat per 100 g, wheat, maltitols and isomalt, and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Peijnenburg (Lotus Bakeries)

Sliced wholegrain ontbijtkoek is a different product category from biscuits and is labelled as having no added sugars.

  • Albert Heijn lists 17 g of fibre per 100 g for the wholegrain variety.
  • At 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g, this variety isn’t sugar-free. It contains ingredients including rye and xylitol; check the ingredients and the warning about excessive consumption.

Biscuit products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for a sugar-free product, while a product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. Albert Heijn lists 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g for Peijnenburg Wholegrain Ontbijtkoek, sliced.

How do I compare two lower-sugar biscuits?

First compare products of the same type per 100 g, so different portion sizes don’t skew the comparison. Check ‘of which sugars’, fibre, fat and salt, and read the ingredients and allergens for the variety you’re considering.

What should I look for if a biscuit contains polyols?

Check which sweeteners are listed in the ingredients and follow the warnings on the pack. For AH Digestive 0% Sugar, Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Also check the rest of the nutritional information and the allergens in the product you choose.

How should I store Peijnenburg ontbijtkoek?

Store the Peijnenburg variety mentioned according to the product instructions, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, follow the guidance on the pack and check the best-before date.