Who is this relevant for?

If you keep a close eye on sugar

You’re looking for a biscuit to enjoy with your coffee that meets the ‘sugar-free’ limit. So compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying on the word ‘zero’ on the front of the pack.

If you compare carbohydrates and portions

You want to limit sugar, but also know how many total carbohydrates and how much energy you get from each biscuit. Nutritional information per 100 g makes products easy to compare, while the serving size shows what that means for your coffee break.

If you check ingredients and allergens

You check which sweeteners and polyols a biscuit contains, and look at the allergen information for the specific variety. This matters if you need to avoid certain ingredients or find that you’re sensitive to polyols.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by deciding whether you want a strictly sugar-free biscuit or simply want to avoid added sugars. Then compare the rest of the nutritional information and the ingredients: these can vary even between biscuits with similar sugar levels.

What to look for What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Sugar content and claims Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Diabetes Fund, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ does not mean the same thing. If I’m keeping a close eye on sugar, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘zero’ alone. Around 42% of consumers prioritise the actual sugar content.
Sweeteners and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen. Check which polyols it contains and whether the packaging warns of a laxative effect if consumed in excess. If I need to avoid certain ingredients or am sensitive to polyols, I want to know exactly what’s in the biscuit. This check is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Nutritional information and serving size Compare energy, total carbohydrates, saturated fat, fibre and salt per 100 g; then check what’s in a serving. A low sugar figure alone doesn’t help me choose if I’m also keeping an eye on my portion and the rest of the nutritional information. This broader consideration matters most to around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘zero’ means ‘sugar-free’

    According to Jumbo’s product information, Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero is sold as a biscuit with no added sugar, but it contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the limit of 0.5 g per 100 g that the Diabetes Fund gives for ‘sugar-free’.

    If your goal is a strictly sugar-free biscuit, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

  • Comparing only the sugar content

    A low sugar figure doesn’t tell you how much carbohydrate, energy or saturated fat a biscuit contains. For example, Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars, 63 g of carbohydrates and 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker.

    Check the full nutritional information per 100 g, then work out what that means for the portion you plan to have.

  • Overlooking polyols and allergens

    Ingredients vary between biscuit varieties. Some products containing polyols also carry a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess; the Nutrition Centre says that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.

    Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the packaging of your chosen product, especially if you need to avoid an ingredient.

  • Relying on out-of-date product information

    A product page you looked at previously may not match the packaging when you buy the biscuits. This matters particularly if the ingredients or nutritional values are important to your choice.

    Before buying, check the current packaging and availability of the specific variety.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% suiker is an example of a digestive biscuit for anyone who uses sugar content per 100 g as their main selection criterion.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
  • The same product information lists 63 g of carbohydrates and 465 kcal per 100 g, with wheat as an ingredient and a warning about a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Céréal

The Céréal biscuits without sugars reviewed include varieties with coconut and with a speculoos flavour and pieces of almond. Compare the specific variety, not just the product range.

  • Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for the coconut variety and 0.4 g per 100 g for the speculoos and almond variety.
  • According to Jumbo’s product information, these varieties contain 1.5 g and 12 g of saturated fat per 100 g respectively. The ingredients and allergens also vary between varieties.

Verkade

Verkade San Francisco Naturel Zero is worth considering if you’re looking for a biscuit with no added sugar, but don’t necessarily need a strictly sugar-free variety.

  • The ‘no added sugar’ claim makes clear which feature of this particular biscuit you can look into.
  • Jumbo lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety. Also check the ingredients and the warning about excessive consumption on the packaging.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a biscuit with no added sugars also sugar-free?

No, the terms don’t mean the same thing: a biscuit with no added sugars can still contain sugars. According to the Diabetes Fund, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the product’s nutritional information.

Can a sugar-free biscuit still be high in carbohydrates?

Yes. Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 63 g of total carbohydrates per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker. Compare total carbohydrates per 100 g, then check how much is in your portion.

Why is there sometimes a warning about a laxative effect?

Biscuits containing polyols may carry this kind of warning. The Nutrition Centre says that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems. Check which sweeteners your chosen biscuit contains and look out for the warning on the packaging.

How should I store biscuits once opened?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging of your chosen biscuits. For AH Digestive 0% suiker, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a sealed tin after opening; storage advice can vary by product.