For a night shift, choose a biscuit based on what matters most to you: sugar content, a small portion, or the ingredients and allergens. A claim such as ‘0% sugar’ says nothing about the energy or fat content, so compare the nutritional information per 100 g and decide how many biscuits to take for one break.
If you’re looking for a biscuit with a low sugar content, look beyond the claim on the front of the pack. Compare the sugars and carbohydrates per 100 g in similar biscuits, and check the energy and polyol content too.
For a short break, taking a set number of biscuits may be more practical than bringing a whole pack. Check the portion size and, if listed, the nutritional values per biscuit.
Check the ingredients list, any polyol warning and the allergen statement for the exact variant. A sugar claim doesn’t tell you which allergens a biscuit contains.
Start with your main reason for buying. Then compare similar biscuits per 100 g, and only after that decide how many you want to take with you for your shift.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar content | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; also check carbohydrates and energy. | I mainly want to know how much sugar the biscuit actually contains, rather than relying on the front of the pack. For around 33% of consumers, the sugar content comes first. |
| Portion and energy | Check the portion size, the energy per 100 g and, if listed, per biscuit. | For a short break, I want to be able to take a few biscuits without bringing the whole pack. Around 27% of consumers give the ability to plan their portion top priority. |
| Polyols and allergens | Read the ingredients, any polyol value, warnings and the allergen statement on the packaging. | During my shift, I want to be able to take account of ingredients that could be a problem for me. For around 20% of consumers, this check matters most. |
| Taste and availability | Check the nutritional information for the specific variant and see if you can buy it where you do your shopping. | I’m looking for a biscuit I enjoy and can buy conveniently, as long as the label suits my needs. For around 20% of consumers, this is their first consideration. |
A sugar claim doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value. According to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% suiker contains 0.3 g of sugars, but also 465 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g.
Compare similar products per 100 g for sugars, energy and fat. Then consider how many biscuits you want to eat during one break.
Biscuits containing sweeteners may also contain polyols. Albert Heijn’s listing for AH Digestive 0% suiker includes a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging, especially if this is something you need to consider during your shift.
The Céréal biscuits described by Jumbo list different ingredients for each variant, including wheat, milk, egg, soya, oats or almonds. A sugar claim is no substitute for the allergen statement.
Check the packaging for the exact variant you’re buying, even if you’ve eaten the biscuit before.
Lotus Biscoff’s official nutritional information lists 36.8 g of sugars per 100 g for Spread Cups. This value applies to this product, not automatically to other products from the brand.
Search for and compare the full product name and nutritional information of the variant you’re considering.
The biscuits described by Jumbo offer two different product variants to compare for sugars, polyols and portion size.
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a biscuit for which Albert Heijn lists nutritional values and a warning about excessive consumption.
The retailer provides product information that lets you compare the Céréal variants it describes.
A familiar speculoos flavour doesn’t in itself mean that a particular product is low in sugar.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; for ‘low sugar’, the limit for solid foods is 5 g per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ value on the packaging of the biscuit you’re buying.
Not necessarily: according to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% suiker contains 0.3 g of sugars, 465 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g. As well as the sugar content, check the energy, fat content and the portion you intend to eat.
This warning may appear on products containing polyols. Albert Heijn includes it for AH Digestive 0% suiker in relation to excessive consumption. If you’re choosing a biscuit for your shift, read the ingredients and warning on the exact product packaging.
No. A low sugar value doesn’t tell you whether the biscuit fits with what you want to eat over the whole shift. The Diabetes Fonds recommends thinking carefully about biscuits when choosing snacks. Compare the nutritional information and take a portion that fits your break-time plan.
