If you’re planning a long study session, first decide which sugar claim matters to you: under EU nutrition claim rules, a biscuit can only be called sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugar’ does not mean the same thing. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and for the portion you have in mind, and check the ingredients and allergens, especially in biscuits containing polyols such as maltitol.
You want to choose a biscuit for a long study session that meets the threshold for the sugar-free claim. That’s why you check the amount of sugars per 100 g, rather than relying on words such as ‘zero’ on the packaging.
You’re planning a snack for while you study and want to compare energy, fibre, saturated fat, salt and portion size as well as sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g, as portion sizes can vary.
You want to check which sweeteners and allergens a biscuit contains. The products reviewed include maltitol and wheat, among other ingredients; others vary from product to product.
When choosing a biscuit for studying, first decide which sugar claim you need. Then compare similar products per 100 g and use the nutritional information per biscuit to plan your portion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| What the sugar claim means | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under EU nutrition claim rules, a product must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to be called sugar-free. | If I’m looking for something strictly sugar-free, ‘no added sugar’ isn’t enough: the biscuit may still contain sugars. For around 34% of shoppers, that strict sugar threshold comes first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare energy, fibre, saturated fat and salt per 100 g; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis when portion sizes differ. | For a snack during regular study sessions, I want to know more than just the sugar content. Around 25% of shoppers prioritise the overall nutritional information. |
| Sweeteners and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergen information and any warning about polyols such as maltitol or isomalt. | If I want to avoid an ingredient, I need to be able to see what’s actually in the biscuit. For around 25% of shoppers, this is their first priority. |
| Portion and packaging | Check the weight of each biscuit and the nutritional information per biscuit as well as per 100 g; also check the packaging and storage instructions. | If I’m setting aside a few biscuits for a study day, I want to know how much each one weighs and how to store the rest. For around 16% of shoppers, practical portioning is the deciding factor. |
A claim about added sugar doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains in total. Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco zero as containing 0% added sugar, but also 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g: the EU threshold for the sugar-free claim is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.
A low sugar content doesn’t tell you how much energy, fibre, saturated fat or salt a biscuit contains. For example, Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% suiker at 465 kcal per 100 g.
Compare the nutritional information for similar biscuits per 100 g, then decide what portion you want to take with you.
The sugar-conscious biscuits reviewed vary in their sweeteners and allergens. Some products containing polyols also carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients list, allergen information and warnings on the packaging before choosing a biscuit.
Nutritional information per biscuit is difficult to compare if the biscuits don’t weigh the same. That’s why the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g.
Use the figures per 100 g to compare products, and the weight per biscuit to plan your own portion.
AH Digestive 0% suiker is an example to compare if you’re looking for a biscuit that stays below the sugar threshold for the sugar-free claim.
The coconut and chocolate biscuits have two different ingredient profiles to compare for sugar, fibre and ingredients.
San Francisco zero may suit you if you’re mainly looking for a biscuit with no added sugar, but not if you need one that meets the sugar-free claim.
A ZERO range with individually wrapped biscuits may be useful if you want to portion them out in advance.
No, these claims don’t mean the same thing. Under EU nutrition claim rules, a product must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to be called sugar-free. For example, Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco zero, which has no added sugar, as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
First compare similar biscuits per 100 g, then check the figure per biscuit to plan your own portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that manufacturers set their own portion sizes.
This type of warning may appear on products containing polyols. The product information for AH Digestive 0% suiker and Verkade San Francisco zero mentions a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess; read the warning and bear in mind how much you eat.
Yes, those labels don’t rule out other allergens. Albert Heijn describes AH Digestive 0% suiker as lactose-free and vegan, but also lists wheat; so check the allergen information for the product you’re buying.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging, especially once opened. Albert Heijn recommends storing AH Digestive 0% suiker in a sealed tin after opening; instructions may vary by product.
