Pupils and parents looking for biscuits without sugars
If the ‘sugar-free’ claim matters to you, you may also want to compare serving sizes, polyols and nutritional information.
Who might find this choice relevant?
Anyone packing lunches who needs to check allergens or school rules
If you need to check ingredients and possible traces against an individual allergy or school rules, this is for you. According to Jumbo, both Céréal biscuits compared here contain wheat.
Families choosing a snack for every school day
If you want to think about the place a biscuit has in your child’s lunch, the Voedingscentrum also recommends fruit, vegetables and bread as snacks.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing a biscuit for secondary school, first check that the sugar information and allergens suit your needs. Then look at the serving size and the rest of the nutritional information, especially if the biscuit will be packed regularly.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and polyols | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and per biscuit. For biscuits containing maltitol, also check the amount of polyols and the serving size. | I’m specifically looking for a biscuit labelled ‘sugar-free’ and want to know what’s in a serving. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Allergens and school rules | Check the current packaging for allergens and possible traces. If necessary, ask what rules apply at school or in the classroom. | If an allergen or school rule determines my choice, the biscuit must meet that requirement before it goes into the lunchbox. This is the most important consideration for around 40% of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Compare the energy, saturated fat and fibre per serving. Also decide whether you want to pack a biscuit or a different snack. | For every school day, I want to consider more than just the sugar claim on the packaging. Around 20% of consumers give this everyday consideration top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘sugar-free’ means the whole lunch is a healthy choice
The two Céréal varieties differ in more than their sugar content. Per 100 g, Jumbo lists 1.5 g of saturated fat for the coconut version and 12 g for the almond speculoos version.
Compare the nutritional information per serving and decide what role the biscuit will play in the lunchbox. For an everyday snack, you could also consider fruit, vegetables or bread.
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Skipping the allergen information on the back
‘Sugar-free’ tells you nothing about allergens. According to Jumbo, the Céréal coconut biscuits contain wheat; the speculoos version contains almonds, barley, egg, milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients.
Read the allergen information on the packaging and make sure your choice suits the pupil and any school rules.
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Assuming regular Lotus Biscoff is sugar-free
Lotus Biscoff lists 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g for Original. A similar speculoos flavour doesn’t make it a sugar-free biscuit.
If ‘sugar-free’ is a requirement, compare the nutritional information for the specific product rather than relying on its flavour or name.
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Not sealing an opened pack properly
How you store the biscuits affects the quality of those you pack for school later.
The Voedingscentrum recommends storing sugar-free biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container. Check their smell, appearance and texture before packing them.
Brands to consider
Céréal
The sugar-free biscuits compared here are a coconut variety and a speculoos variety with pieces of almond.
- For the coconut version, Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars and 4.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
- According to Jumbo, the speculoos version contains almonds, egg, milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients, so the allergens differ between the varieties.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s product information lets you compare the two Céréal varieties mentioned here by ingredients, allergens and nutritional value.
- Nutritional information is provided per 100 g and per biscuit for both products.
- Check the packaging when your order arrives, especially if allergens are a deciding factor.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff Original is a regular speculoos biscuit for anyone who isn’t specifically looking for a sugar-free product.
- The manufacturer provides ingredients and nutritional information, making it easy to compare the biscuit.
- According to Lotus Biscoff, Original contains 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g, so it doesn’t meet the ‘sugar-free’ requirement.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘sugar-free’ mean a biscuit contains exactly 0 g of sugars?
No. Under the European regulation on nutrition claims, a product can be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. A figure of 0.4 g per 100 g can therefore fall within this limit. Check the nutritional information for the biscuit you’re buying.
Is a sugar-free biscuit automatically suitable for every school day?
No. The sugar claim alone doesn’t determine whether a biscuit is right for an everyday lunch. Also compare the serving size, energy, saturated fat and fibre. The Voedingscentrum also recommends fruit, vegetables and bread as snacks.
Are the Céréal biscuits mentioned here gluten-free?
No. According to Jumbo’s product information, the coconut biscuits contain wheat and the speculoos version contains wheat and barley. If you need to avoid gluten, always check that the current packaging of any alternative product meets your individual requirements.
Should I check the school rules before packing biscuits?
Yes. If the school or class has rules about food or allergens, any biscuits you pack must comply with them. The Voedingscentrum recommends checking whether your child’s secondary school has a food policy and what it says.
How should I store an opened pack of sugar-free biscuits?
Store them in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as recommended by the Voedingscentrum. Check the biscuits before packing them for lunch.