Who is this choice relevant to?

Walkers with a strict sugar limit

You want to know how much sugar a biscuit really contains, whatever the front of the pack says. So compare the nutritional values per 100 g with the amount you plan to take with you.

Walkers looking for a practical, sugar-conscious snack

You’re mainly watching out for added sugars and want a portion that’s easy to carry. An individually wrapped biscuit bar can be convenient, even if the product still contains sugars.

Walkers who take ingredients and fibre into account

As well as checking the sugar information, you look at fibre, grains and sweeteners. If there are specific ingredients you avoid, the allergen information on the packaging is what matters most.

What should you look for in biscuits to take with you?

If you have a strict limit, start by checking the sugar information. Then compare the portion size and ingredients of the biscuit you actually plan to eat on your walk.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
What the sugar information means Compare the exact claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. According to the Diabetes Fonds, sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; no added sugars means something different. If I stick to a strict sugar limit, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘zero’ alone. For around 43% of consumers, that sugar limit comes first.
Portion size for the walk Check the weight and energy per portion, and whether the biscuits are individually wrapped. For a walking break, I want to take an amount that’s ready to eat without any preparation and fits in with the rest of my provisions. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this practical convenience.
Ingredients and tolerance Read the information about fibre, grains, allergens and sweeteners, including any polyols. I want to know in advance whether the ingredients suit me, especially if I’m taking a new biscuit on a longer walk. This is the most important consideration for around 28% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘zero’ means ‘sugar-free’

    Albert Heijn’s product information lists AH Ontbijtkoek zero as containing 0 g of added sugars per 100 g, but also 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. These figures describe different things.

    If you have a strict limit, always check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g rather than relying on the product name alone.

  • Using the sugar information as the only way to judge a snack

    The amount of sugars doesn’t tell you how large your portion is or what else the biscuit contains. The Voedingscentrum considers snack choices in the context of what you eat throughout the day.

    Compare the nutritional information per portion and think about what other food and drink you’ll take on your walk.

  • Leaving it until your walk to check the ingredients

    The products described contain sweeteners or polyols, among other ingredients. Some carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Peijnenburg’s wholemeal ontbijtkoek described here contains rye and gluten-containing cereals.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information beforehand. Don’t take a product you haven’t tried before on a long walk in large quantities.

  • Relying only on nutritional information online

    Albert Heijn says that product ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change.

    Check the current packaging before eating the biscuits, especially if a sugar limit or a particular ingredient is important to your choice.

Brands compared

These examples show why a product name isn’t enough: compare the nutritional information for the specific biscuits or ontbijtkoek.

Céréal

Céréal Speculoos stukjes amandel zonder suikers is an example for anyone specifically looking for biscuits labelled ‘without sugars’.

  • Albert Heijn describes these particular biscuits as having a speculoos flavour, pieces of almond and sweetener.
  • The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the nutritional information on the packaging too.

Albert Heijn

AH Ontbijtkoek zero and AH Kruidkoekreep zero are examples you can use to compare added sugars, sugars present and portion size.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Kruidkoekreep zero is individually wrapped, making it easy to take a portion with you.
  • The label ‘zero’ doesn’t prove that a product is sugar-free. Albert Heijn lists AH Ontbijtkoek zero as containing 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek volkoren gesneden is a different type of product from a biscuit: a sliced ontbijtkoek that you can compare for wholegrain ingredients and nutritional value.

  • Albert Heijn describes this particular product as 100% wholegrain and with no added sugars.
  • No added sugars doesn’t mean sugar-free. For this product, also check the information about rye, gluten-containing cereals and polyols.

Biscuits for walking on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are biscuits with no added sugars also sugar-free?

No, the product may still contain sugars. The Diabetes Fonds distinguishes the label ‘no added sugars’ from ‘sugar-free’, which means a sugar content of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.

Can I take ‘zero’ ontbijtkoek with me if I want to eat strictly sugar-free?

Don’t rely on ‘zero’ alone: check the sugars per 100 g in the ontbijtkoek you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn lists AH Ontbijtkoek zero as containing 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g, above the 0.5 g per 100 g limit that the Diabetes Fonds gives for sugar-free.

What should I look out for in biscuits containing polyols when going for a walk?

Check which sweeteners or polyols the biscuits contain and follow any warnings on the packaging. Some of the products described warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect, so it’s practical to try a new biscuit before setting off on a long walk.

What nutritional information is useful besides sugars?

For the portion you plan to eat, also compare the energy, fibre and salt, and read the ingredients and allergen information. The Voedingscentrum recommends considering snacks in the context of what else you eat throughout the day.