People looking to limit their sugar intake
You compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per biscuit, rather than relying only on words such as ‘zero’ on the front of the pack.
Who might find these choices relevant?
People who want a small portion
You want to be able to have one or a few biscuits late in the evening, so you check the weight and energy per biscuit or stated portion.
People keeping an eye on polyols or allergens
As well as the sugar content, you check ingredients such as maltitol, any warning about excessive consumption, and the allergens in the exact flavour variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the sugar claim and the nutrition table. Then consider the portion you want to have and whether the ingredients suit you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar content and claim | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per portion; check whether the claim refers to sugars or added sugars. | I want a biscuit for later in the evening with as little sugar as possible, even if the front of the pack suggests otherwise. Around 36% of consumers prioritise the actual sugar content. |
| Portion and energy | Check the weight and kcal per biscuit or stated portion, as well as the value per 100 g. | If I have one biscuit, I want to know how much that individual biscuit contributes, without treating the whole pack as one portion. A clearly defined portion is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Polyols | Look for maltitol or other polyols in the ingredients and read any warning about excessive consumption. | I want to take polyols into account before having several biscuits. This is the most important consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary characteristics | Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging of the variety you have chosen. | A low sugar content isn’t enough for me if a biscuit contains ingredients I need to avoid. Allergens or dietary characteristics are the first consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common pitfalls
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
These are different claims. According to the Albert Heijn product page, Verkade San Francisco zero contains naturally occurring sugars; the nutrition table lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
Read the explanation accompanying the claim and compare ‘of which sugars’ on a like-for-like basis.
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Looking only at sugars
A low sugar content doesn’t tell you how much energy a biscuit provides. Albert Heijn lists 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker; Jumbo lists 44 kcal per 11 g biscuit for Céréal Speculoos.
Choose your portion and compare the energy per biscuit or measured quantity.
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Overlooking polyols on the label
Several of the biscuits mentioned contain maltitol or other polyols. The Voedingscentrum explains that products containing more than 10% added polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients and the warning before deciding how many biscuits to have.
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Using a sugar claim to check for allergens
A sugar claim tells you nothing about allergens. For Céréal Speculoos, Jumbo lists almonds, eggs, milk, soya, wheat and barley, among other allergens; for Verkade San Francisco zero, Albert Heijn lists wheat, milk and soya, among others.
Check the allergens for the exact variety on the current packaging.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Céréal
Jumbo lists biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’, including a coconut variety and an almond speculoos variety.
- According to Jumbo, both of the varieties mentioned contain 11 g biscuits; nutritional values vary by flavour.
- The varieties mentioned contain polyols. Check the allergens and warnings for each variety too.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a supermarket own-brand biscuit sold in a 400 g pack.
- For this exact variety, Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g and describes it as vegan and lactose-free.
- The same product page states that it contains wheat, 14 g of polyols and 465 kcal per 100 g.
Verkade
According to Albert Heijn’s product page, San Francisco zero is aimed at those looking to avoid added sugar, not all sugars.
- The product information distinguishes between added and naturally occurring sugars.
- Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g and names wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients to watch out for.
ALDI / Koek & Bakker
ALDI Nederland lists a pre-sliced spiced breakfast loaf from Koek & Bakker labelled ‘no added sugars’. A spiced breakfast loaf is a different option from a biscuit.
- The pre-sliced format makes it easy to have one slice as a portion.
- Don’t assume ‘no added sugars’ means a particular sugar content; check ‘of which sugars’ and the ingredients on the packaging.
Biscuits on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. A biscuit with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Albert Heijn states this explicitly for Verkade San Francisco zero; check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table to see how much.
Does sugar-free also mean low in calories?
No. A sugar claim on its own tells you nothing about the energy per biscuit. Albert Heijn lists 465 kcal per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker, so also compare the kcal in the portion you plan to have.
Why do some biscuits carry a warning about a laxative effect?
This warning may be linked to added polyols, such as maltitol. The Voedingscentrum explains that products containing more than 10% added polyols carry this warning; check the ingredients and label on your biscuits.
Where can you compare these biscuits?
Jumbo’s product pages show the Céréal varieties mentioned; Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% suiker and Verkade San Francisco zero. Compare the exact varieties for sugar content, portion size and ingredients, and check the current packaging when you buy.