Who might find this choice relevant?

Leisure cyclist watching their sugar intake

For a short or gentle ride, you might be looking for a biscuit with little sugar, without considering it sports nutrition. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and see which sweeteners are used.

Endurance cyclist planning food and drink

For a longer, intensive ride, a sugar claim alone won’t tell you what you’ll need along the way. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the role of carbohydrates and fluids in these circumstances; consider the biscuit as part of your overall ride plan.

Cyclist mindful of tolerance or allergens

If you need to consider ingredients or portion size while riding, check the latest packaging. Albert Heijn’s product information for the Céréal and Verkade varieties reviewed warns that excessive consumption of polyols may have a laxative effect.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether you’re looking for a biscuit for a short ride or planning food for a longer, intensive effort. Then check the sugar claim against the nutritional information, ingredients and allergens.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
A sugar-free option Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with the claim on the packaging. Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid food can be labelled ‘sugar-free’ only if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. I want to choose a biscuit for a gentle ride that genuinely meets the ‘sugar-free’ limit. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this sugar-free choice.
Eating during a long ride Check the carbohydrates per portion and decide whether the biscuit is practical to eat alongside your drinks. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between sports nutrition for different exercise durations and intensities. During a long, intensive ride, I want to be able to plan my food and drink; a sugar claim alone doesn’t help me do that. For around 33% of consumers, this is their main concern.
Tolerance and allergens Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about polyols. Consider the portion you plan to take with you. If I’m eating while out on a ride, I want to know whether the ingredients and portion are right for me. Tolerance or avoiding allergens is a priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common misconceptions

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

    They’re not the same: Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero, while the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim on solid foods is 0.5 g per 100 g.

    If you’re specifically looking for a sugar-free biscuit, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

  • Assuming a sugar-free biscuit is an obvious choice of cycling fuel

    A low sugar content doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates a portion provides for your ride. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between food choices for different ride durations and intensities.

    For a longer, intensive ride, plan your food and drink together; don’t choose based on the sugar claim alone.

  • Taking a biscuit containing polyols on a long ride for the first time

    The product information for the Céréal and Verkade varieties reviewed warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    It’s best to try a new biscuit and the portion you plan to eat on an ordinary ride, rather than for the first time on a long ride.

  • Looking only at the sugar figure

    Biscuits with little sugar can still contain carbohydrates, fats and polyols. Allergens matter too if you need to avoid certain ingredients.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging.

Brands and biscuit varieties compared

These varieties show why the precise sugar claim and ingredients matter. The figures given apply to the products in question, not to every biscuit made by each brand.

Céréal

The Speculoos almond pieces without sugars reviewed here are an example for anyone specifically looking for a biscuit with a sugar-free claim.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g for this variety. Its sugar content falls within the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
  • The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect and lists allergens including wheat, milk, egg, soya and almond.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero illustrates the choice of a biscuit with no added sugar, which is not the same as a sugar-free biscuit.

  • Albert Heijn states that San Francisco Zero has no added sugar and contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • At 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, this variety does not meet the EU limit for ‘sugar-free’. The product information also lists maltitols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Lotus Biscoff

The 250 g Speculoos reviewed here is included as a comparison with a regular biscuit, not as a sugar-free option.

  • Albert Heijn lists 73 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for this variety.
  • Albert Heijn also lists 38 g of sugars per 100 g. So this variety isn’t suitable if you’re looking for a sugar-free option; also check the listed allergens, including wheat and soya.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on a biscuit?

Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid food can carry this claim if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. To check, look at the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information per 100 g.

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

Not necessarily: Albert Heijn states that Verkade San Francisco Zero has no added sugar, but it still contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the nutritional information if the amount of sugar is one of your buying criteria.

Can I take a sugar-free biscuit as food for a long cycle ride?

You can have it as a snack, but the ‘sugar-free’ claim doesn’t automatically make it suitable as your main source of carbohydrates during a long, intensive ride. Consider the carbohydrates per portion, what else you’ll eat and drink, and whether you’ll find it easy to eat while riding.

Why do some biscuits containing polyols carry a warning about a laxative effect?

The product information for the Céréal and Verkade varieties reviewed mentions that excessive consumption may have this effect. Watch your portion size, and don’t try a new biscuit for the first time on a long ride.

Should I check the allergens in a biscuit I’m taking with me?

Yes, if allergens are relevant to you. The varieties reviewed have different ingredients: Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat, milk, egg, soya and almond among the allergens for Céréal, and wheat and soya for the Lotus Biscoff variety reviewed. Check the latest packaging for the variety you choose when you buy it.