Start by checking the exact sugar claim: according to the Diabetes Fund, sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, whereas a biscuit with no added sugars may still contain sugars. Only buy several packs if the ingredients, nutritional information, use-by date and storage options also suit your needs; sugar-free does not automatically mean low in carbohydrates or energy.
You’re looking for biscuits for a regular breakfast or snack, and don’t want to confuse sugar-free with no added sugars. So you check the amount of sugars per 100 g and look at the rest of the nutritional information too.
You want to keep several packs at home, at work or for the family. The use-by date, packaging and available dry storage space will determine how many it makes sense to buy.
Before buying a larger quantity, you want to know which sweeteners and allergens a particular variety contains. For biscuits containing polyols, it’s also important to check the warning about excessive consumption.
First, check that the sugar claim suits your needs. Then look at the ingredients and nutritional information, and work out how many unopened packs you can use before their use-by date.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Check the exact claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g. The Diabetes Fund says sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. | If I specifically want sugar-free biscuits, a claim on the front of the pack isn’t enough to help me choose. For around 40% of consumers, checking the sugar content comes first. |
| Stock and storage | Check the use-by date and storage instructions, and make sure you can seal opened packs properly. | If I’m buying several packs, I want to stop the biscuits losing their quality before I use them. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration when stocking up. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the allergens and polyols on the label. Also compare carbohydrates and energy per 100 g and per portion. | When several people share the same stock, I want to know whether the ingredients are suitable for them. For around 30% of consumers, this is their first priority. |
The terms don’t necessarily mean the same thing. Albert Heijn says that Verkade San Francisco zero contains 0% added sugar, but also 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare the wording on the front of the pack with the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition table. If you specifically want sugar-free biscuits, use the limit of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g cited by the Diabetes Fund.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Digestive 0% suiker contains 465 kcal and 63 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. Jumbo says that Céréal Kokos zonder suikers contains 427 kcal and 72 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.
Check the full nutritional information per 100 g and the amount you actually serve, rather than looking at the sugar claim alone.
The biscuits mentioned differ in their ingredients and allergens. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists polyols in several varieties, along with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Before buying a larger quantity, read the ingredients list, allergen declaration and warnings for the exact variety.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sugar-free biscuits should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. This is especially important if an opened pack will be kept in the cupboard for a while.
Check the use-by date on unopened packs and make sure you can seal opened packs properly.
Buying a large quantity also means you’ll need enough suitable, dry storage space.
These examples show why it’s worth comparing the exact biscuit variety: sugar claims, ingredients and packaging can differ both within and between brands.
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a 400 g pack of biscuits. Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g.
Jumbo lists, among other products, Kokos zonder suikers and Choco Delight met minder suikers. These are different varieties, each with its own nutritional information.
According to Albert Heijn, San Francisco zero is sold with a 0% added sugar claim.
Check the amount of sugars per 100 g: the Diabetes Fund says sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. Also read the exact claim, as ‘zero’ on its own doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuit contains.
No, a biscuit with no added sugars may still contain sugars. For example, Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco zero, despite its 0% added sugar claim.
Not necessarily: the sugar content doesn’t tell you how many total carbohydrates a biscuit contains. Albert Heijn lists 63 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker, so compare the carbohydrates in the exact variety and the portion you’ll eat.
For unopened packs, follow the use-by date and storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing sugar-free biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, so make sure you reseal an opened pack carefully.
