Looking for a biscuit with a speculoos flavour and a ‘sugar-free’ claim for Sinterklaas Eve? Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces is a better match for that flavour preference than a plain digestive or tea biscuit. Do compare the sugar content per 100 g: ‘zero added sugars’ does not mean a biscuit contains 0 g of sugars. Also check the allergens and the warning that excessive consumption of the polyols used may have a laxative effect.
Would you like to serve a spiced biscuit without choosing regular speculoos? Albert Heijn describes Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces as having a ‘no sugars’ claim. Before buying, check the allergens and the warning about polyols too.
When choosing a biscuit to enjoy with coffee or tea, the exact claim matters. A product labelled ‘zero added sugars’ may still contain sugars; check the nutritional information per 100 g to see how much.
If your guests need to consider ingredients or allergens, choose based on the current packaging of the specific biscuit. The products mentioned differ in their declarations of wheat, milk, soya, egg and almond, among other ingredients.
For Sinterklaas Eve, decide what matters most: speculoos flavour, sugar content, ingredients that suit your guests, or a plain biscuit you can enjoy on other occasions too. Then check the claim, nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Speculoos flavour | Compare the description with the claim and the sugar content per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces. | I want to serve a spiced biscuit at a Sinterklaas celebration without choosing regular speculoos. This flavour preference would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Sugar content | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, even when the pack makes a claim about added sugars. Jumbo lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero. | If I mainly want to compare sugar content, the figure on the label matters more than the wording on the front alone. This would be the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each variant, as well as any warnings about polyols such as maltitol or isomalt. | I’m putting biscuits out for several people and want to know which ingredients they need to consider. Checking ingredients would be the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Enjoying them beyond the celebration | Compare pack size, portion size and nutritional values per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists a 400 g pack of AH Digestive 0% sugar, with 465 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g. | I’m looking for a plain biscuit I can enjoy with coffee or tea later on too, without assuming that ‘sugar-free’ means low in calories or fat. This would be the most important consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
These phrases do not give the same information about nutritional value. Jumbo lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero, despite its ‘zero added sugars’ claim.
So always compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the packaging.
A sugar claim alone tells you nothing about these other nutritional values. Albert Heijn lists 465 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% sugar.
As well as sugars, check the energy, fat and the portion size you plan to serve.
A sugar claim tells you nothing about allergens. The biscuits mentioned contain wheat; other ingredients, such as milk, soya, egg or almond, may also be relevant depending on the variant.
Read the current packaging for each variant you choose before sharing the biscuits.
Albert Heijn’s product information for Céréal and AH Digestive warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The same warning is also given for Verkade San Francisco Zero.
Read the warning on the packaging and bear it in mind if you’re serving several biscuits containing polyols.
Albert Heijn lists a speculoos biscuit with almond pieces and a chocolate chip biscuit from Céréal, both labelled ‘no sugars’.
AH Digestive 0% sugar is a plain digestive biscuit in a 400 g pack.
Verkade San Francisco Zero is a tea biscuit labelled ‘zero added sugars’.
Here, Lotus Biscoff is a reference for regular speculoos, not for a biscuit with no sugars.
No. A biscuit with this claim may still contain sugars. Jumbo lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Verkade San Francisco Zero, so check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the packaging.
Not necessarily. Albert Heijn lists 465 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% sugar. If these values matter to your choice, compare the nutritional information per 100 g as well as the portion size.
The biscuits mentioned may contain polyols such as maltitol or isomalt. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; be sure to read the warning, especially if you’re serving several types of biscuits.
Store the biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. This is the Voedingscentrum’s storage advice for sugar-free biscuits; after opening, also keep an eye out for changes in smell and texture.
