When choosing a biscuit to have with your coffee, first check the sugar content per 100 g, then look at the nutritional information per biscuit. According to the Voedingscentrum, a product can be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. On its own, this label tells you nothing about the product’s energy, carbohydrates, sweeteners or allergens. If you’d rather have cake with your coffee, assess the larger portion separately too.
You want a biscuit to enjoy with your coffee and need to be able to check both its sugar content per 100 g and the nutritional information for the portion you eat. The Voedingscentrum sets the limit for a ‘sugar-free’ label at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Look beyond the front of the pack: ingredients, polyols and allergens can vary between biscuit varieties. Product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn highlights these differences in the Céréal varieties mentioned here.
You’re choosing between a single biscuit and a softer mini cake to enjoy with your coffee. Compare the weight and nutritional information per portion, rather than relying on flavour or the wording on the pack alone.
Start with the sugar and carbohydrate content, then check the ingredients and compare them with the portion you actually plan to eat.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and carbohydrates | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and the total carbohydrates per biscuit; also check the weight of each biscuit. | If I’m mainly trying to limit sugar, I want to know what the label means for my portion. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Sweeteners and allergens | Check the ingredients, the amount of polyols and the allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen. | A low sugar value isn’t helpful if an ingredient or allergen doesn’t meet my requirements. Around 27% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
| Portion and product type | Compare the weight and energy per item, and decide whether you’re after a biscuit or a mini cake. | With a cup of coffee, I want to choose between a small biscuit and a larger, soft portion of cake. This comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Availability and labelling | Check current availability and read the packaging again if it has changed. | I only want to rely on a product if I can order it and check its current ingredients. This practical reassurance comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
The label refers to sugars, not energy, fat, total carbohydrates or allergens. So biscuits with similar sugar values may still suit your needs differently.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the figures per biscuit, and check the ingredients and allergens too.
According to their product information, the Céréal varieties described differ in saturated fat, fibre, polyols and allergens, among other things. A low sugar value doesn’t make these differences any less important.
Before choosing a flavour, decide which nutritional values and ingredients matter most to you.
The products described that contain maltitol carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients and warning on the packaging, especially if you plan to eat more than one.
Albert Heijn marked the Céréal Mini Cakes chocolate described here as discontinued. Albert Heijn also notes that product information can change.
Check current availability just before you buy, and read the label on the product you receive.
Céréal biscuit varieties are listed with different sugar claims and nutritional tables. Compare the specific variety, not just the brand.
The Albert Heijn product pages described here are useful for comparing the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of individual biscuits.
Jumbo provides nutritional information for the Céréal biscuits described here, including values per 100 g and per biscuit.
Lidl Nederland presents Sondey as a range of biscuits and cookies. If you find a suitable biscuit, choose it based on its own label.
According to the Voedingscentrum, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ is a different claim: the product may still contain sugars that occur naturally.
No. ‘Sugar-free’ describes the amount of sugars, not the energy content. For your coffee break, compare the energy and the weight of each biscuit on the packaging; the Voedingscentrum’s calorie checker lists 43 kcal for a 10 g sugar-free biscuit.
Maltitol is a sweetener from the polyol group. Maltitol is used in the Céréal products described here, which carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the ingredients and warnings for the variety you choose.
As well as ‘of which sugars’, check the total carbohydrates per portion you eat. Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Kokos, but 7.9 g of carbohydrates per 11 g biscuit. The sugar value alone therefore doesn’t answer the second question.
Store the packet in a cool, dry, dark place and seal it well, as the Voedingscentrum advises. Follow the instructions on the packaging too, and check the product’s smell, taste and texture before eating it.
