Students looking for strictly sugar-free options
You want a clear way to choose when stocking up on biscuits for your new room. Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g rather than relying on words such as ‘zero’ or ‘less sugar’ on the pack.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Students who check polyols or allergens
You want to know which sweeteners the biscuit contains and whether its ingredients suit you. So check the allergen information too, along with any warning about excessive consumption.
Students looking to stock up practically
You’re looking for biscuits for moving-in days or your cupboard. The pack weight, number of biscuits and storage instructions can help you decide which pack is right for you.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing chocolate biscuits, first check the sugar content per 100 g. Then see whether the ingredients and packaging suit how you plan to store and enjoy them.
| What to check | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar content | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the limit for a ‘sugar-free’ claim on biscuits is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. | If I want to choose something strictly sugar-free, the value on the label should guide me, even if the pack says ‘less sugar’. Around 50% of consumers put this sugar limit first. |
| Polyols and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information, as well as any warning about excessive consumption of polyols. | If I’m sensitive to certain ingredients, I want to know what the biscuit contains before buying it. For around 30% of consumers, this check matters most. |
| Portions and stocking up | Compare the pack weight and number of biscuits, and check the storage instructions. | For my new room, I want to know how many biscuits are in a pack and how to store them. This practical consideration comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘less sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’
These phrases don’t mean the same thing. Jumbo lists 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Minder Suikers Choco Delight Puur; the nutrition table shows that this product is right on the limit for ‘sugar-free’.
For a strict choice, use the sugar content per 100 g as your guide, regardless of the wording on the front of the pack.
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Looking only at sugars
A low sugar content doesn’t tell you how much energy or how many carbohydrates a biscuit contains. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of sugars, 414 kcal and 61 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for Céréal Chocolate chip cookie zonder suikers.
Check the nutrition information per 100 g and the amount you plan to eat before comparing products.
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Skipping the ingredients and warnings
Biscuits containing polyols may carry a warning that excessive consumption can have a laxative effect. Albert Heijn also states that Céréal Chocolate chip cookie contains wheat and oats, and may contain other listed allergens.
Check the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings on the pack before buying.
Brands to compare
Compare specific products, not just brand names: a sugar-free biscuit isn’t automatically a chocolate biscuit.
Céréal
Céréal offers, among other things, a chocolate chip cookie with ‘without sugars’ in its name and a chocolate biscuit labelled ‘less sugar’.
- Albert Heijn lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for the Chocolate chip cookie; Jumbo lists 0.5 g per 100 g for Choco Delight Puur.
- Both product listings mention polyols. Check the allergens and any warnings on each pack too.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive 0% suiker is a biscuit with sweeteners, but it isn’t a chocolate biscuit.
- This product may be an alternative only if chocolate isn’t a must-have.
- According to Albert Heijn, the product contains wheat and polyols. The pack also carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a chocolate biscuit be labelled ‘sugar-free’?
For a ‘sugar-free’ claim on a biscuit, the limit is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Check the nutrition table per 100 g rather than just the front of the pack.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. The terms mean different things: ‘sugar-free’ refers to the amount of sugars in the product. If a biscuit says ‘no added sugars’, still check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g if you want to choose something strictly sugar-free.
Why does the pack sometimes carry a warning about a laxative effect?
The warning may be related to added polyols, such as maltitols. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, foods containing more than 10% added polyols should carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the warning on the specific product.
How do I compare two packs for my new room?
First compare the nutrition information per 100 g, then check the number of biscuits, allergens and storage instructions. This way, differences in pack weight won’t skew your comparison of the sugar content.
Does ‘sugar-free’ tell me anything about the rest of the nutritional values?
No. The claim refers to sugars, not all nutritional values. For example, Albert Heijn lists 414 kcal and 61 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for Céréal Chocolate chip cookie zonder suikers. Check the full nutrition information if these values matter to your choice.