Who is this relevant to?

Gamers comparing sugar levels

You’re looking for a sweet snack for a gaming night and want to see how much sugar it contains on the label, rather than relying on ‘zero’ or another claim alone.

Gamers who like to plan their snacks

You want something crunchy within easy reach, but you also want to decide in advance how many biscuits you’ll eat. That means looking beyond the sugar claim, for example at the portion size and other nutritional information.

Shoppers who check the ingredients

You want to check which grains, allergens, sweeteners or polyols a biscuit contains, or you’re looking for specific product features such as vegan or lactose-free.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by comparing the sugar content on a like-for-like basis per 100 g. Then decide whether the portion size and ingredients suit what you want to eat while gaming.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Sugars and claims Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and check the value per biscuit if it’s provided. Read the ingredients list too. While gaming, I want to know how much sugar a biscuit contains, even if the packet says ‘zero’. This clarity is a priority for around 44% of consumers.
Portion size and nutritional information Check the portion size and compare energy, fibre and fat on the same stated basis. For a long gaming session, I want to decide in advance how many biscuits to have, rather than relying on the sugar claim alone. This broader consideration matters most to around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including the sweeteners used and any warning about polyols. If I avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the biscuit before I buy it. The ingredients are the main deciding factor for around 23% of consumers.

Common mistakes

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

    A biscuit with no added sugar may still contain sugars that occur naturally. For example, Albert Heijn lists 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco zero.

    Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure and read the ingredients list, even when the front of the packet says ‘zero’.

  • Looking only at the sugar claim

    The sugar figure doesn’t tell you how much you’ll eat in one snack break or what the other nutritional values are. For example, Albert Heijn lists 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% sugar.

    Choose a portion in advance and check the stated energy, fibre and fat too.

  • Checking the ingredients only after buying

    Biscuits in this category may contain polyols and allergens. Albert Heijn’s product pages warn that AH Digestive 0% sugar and Verkade San Francisco zero may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

    Check the current ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on every packet.

Brands to consider

Céréal

Jumbo lists both a Céréal Coconut variety with no sugars and a Choco Delight variety with less sugar.

  • For the Coconut variety, Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars, 4,1 g of fibre and 18 g of polyols per 100 g.
  • Values vary by variety: for Choco Delight, Jumbo lists 0,5 g of sugars and 8,8 g of fibre per 100 g. This variety contains wheat, oats, milk, egg and soya, among other ingredients.

AH

Albert Heijn sells its own-brand Digestive 0% sugar in a 400 g pack and states that the product is vegan and lactose-free.

  • According to Albert Heijn, this product contains 0,3 g of sugars and 5,7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • It contains wheat, maltitols and isomalt. Albert Heijn lists 465 kcal per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Verkade

Albert Heijn describes Verkade San Francisco zero as a biscuit with no added sugar, with a stated portion size of around 8,6 g per biscuit.

  • The nutritional information listed by Albert Heijn gives 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g, allowing you to assess the claim alongside the sugar content.
  • This product contains maltitols, wheat, milk and soya. Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Biscuits on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No. A product with no added sugar may still contain sugars that occur naturally. Albert Heijn lists 1,7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco zero, so compare the nutrition table with the claim on the packet.

Can I ignore portion size with sugar-free biscuits?

No. Portion size and other nutritional values still matter, even for a biscuit with a low stated sugar content. Before you start gaming, decide how many biscuits you want to eat and check the energy, fibre and fat on the label.

Why are polyols listed in the ingredients?

Some biscuits with low sugar content use polyols as sweeteners, including maltitols and isomalt. Check which substances are listed on your packet and read any warnings. Albert Heijn warns that certain biscuits may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

How should I store an opened packet of sugar-free biscuits?

Store the biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as recommended by the Voedingscentrum. Also check the storage instructions on the packet.