Careful sugar checkers
You want a chocolate biscuit to serve at a drinks gathering and check the amount of sugars per 100 g. You don’t assume that ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts keeping an eye on portions
You want to put something sweet on the table, but also compare the energy, fat, total carbohydrates and number of biscuits you’ll be serving.
Shoppers who check ingredients
You’re choosing biscuits for yourself or your guests and want to check the sweeteners, warnings and information about allergens present or that may be present before serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the type of biscuit and the exact sugar claim. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and the amount you plan to serve.
Sugar-free chocolate biscuit
When to choose it: You want a chocolate biscuit whose nutritional information lists 0 g of sugars. Albert Heijn lists Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie as containing 0 g of sugars per 100 g.
Keep in mind: Albert Heijn also lists this product as containing 61 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of polyols per 100 g.
Biscuit coated in dark chocolate
When to choose it: You specifically want a biscuit with a chocolate coating and are happy for it to contain some sugars. Jumbo lists Céréal Choco Delight Puur as containing 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Keep in mind: According to Jumbo, this product also contains 60 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of polyols per 100 g.
Biscuit with no added sugars
When to choose it: Chocolate isn’t essential and you’re looking for a biscuit with no added sugars, such as Verkade San Francisco Zero.
Keep in mind: This isn’t a chocolate biscuit. Verkade also lists it as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Compare the claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information, both per 100 g and per serving. | If I specifically want a sugar-free chocolate biscuit, I don’t want to rely on the wording on the front of the pack alone. Around 46% of consumers put this sugar check first. |
| Serving size and nutritional value | Check the serving size, energy, total carbohydrates and fat; ‘sugars’ are just one part of the nutritional information. | When I put out a plate of biscuits alongside other drinks snacks, I want to know how much I’m actually serving. For around 36% of consumers, the portion and its nutritional value matter most. |
| Polyols and allergens | Read the ingredients, any warnings and the full information about what the product contains or may contain. | When I’m sharing biscuits with guests, I want to check in advance that the ingredients are suitable for them. This check is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
The claims don’t mean the same thing when it comes to sugar content: Verkade lists San Francisco Zero as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, while Albert Heijn lists Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie as containing 0 g per 100 g.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ line and choose a product that meets your own criteria.
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Comparing sugars alone
Albert Heijn lists Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie as containing 61 g of carbohydrates and 414 kcal per 100 g. So a figure of 0 g of sugars doesn’t tell you everything about its nutritional value.
Also compare energy, total carbohydrates, fat and the portion you’ll be serving.
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Checking the ingredients only after serving
The Céréal biscuits discussed contain polyols, and their information about allergens present or that may be present differs. According to the Voedingscentrum, consuming too many products containing polyols can have a laxative effect.
Before serving biscuits at a gathering, check the current packaging, including the warning and information about what the product contains or may contain.
Brands and ranges worth comparing
Céréal
Among the products discussed, Céréal offers both a sugar-free chocolate chip cookie and a biscuit coated in dark chocolate that contains a small amount of sugars.
- Albert Heijn lists Chocolate Chip Cookie as containing 0 g of sugars per 100 g; Jumbo lists Choco Delight Puur as containing 0.5 g per 100 g.
- Both products contain polyols, as well as carbohydrates and energy. Check the allergens for each variety.
Verkade
San Francisco Zero is a biscuit with no added sugars for anyone who isn’t specifically looking for chocolate.
- Verkade describes San Francisco Zero as a biscuit with no added sugars.
- It isn’t a chocolate biscuit. Verkade lists it as containing 1.7 g of sugars and 75 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. Check the ingredients too if allergens are important to your choice.
Albert Heijn
The range lets you compare its own sugar-free biscuit with a Céréal chocolate biscuit.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive 0% suiker as containing 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g, and also offers Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie, which is sugar-free.
- AH Digestive 0% suiker isn’t a chocolate biscuit. Check the current packaging for ingredient and allergen information.
Joybuy products for a drinks gathering
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. The products discussed have different sugar contents. Albert Heijn lists Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie as containing 0 g of sugars per 100 g, while Verkade lists San Francisco Zero, which has no added sugars, as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information too.
Are sugar-free chocolate biscuits also low in carbohydrates?
Not necessarily. Albert Heijn lists Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie as containing 61 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, while Jumbo lists Céréal Choco Delight Puur as containing 60 g per 100 g. Compare total carbohydrates separately from the amount of sugars, and consider the serving size.
Why do some biscuits carry a warning about a laxative effect?
This warning may be linked to added polyols, such as maltitols. According to the Voedingscentrum, foods with more than 10% added polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the warning on the biscuit you choose.
How should I store sugar-free chocolate biscuits for a drinks gathering?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Albert Heijn advises storing Céréal Chocolate Chip Cookie in a cool, dry place. Before serving, also check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.