If sugar-free is a must, only choose chocolate flakes whose packaging explicitly makes that claim; ‘extra dark’ or ‘less sugar’ does not mean the same thing. If reducing sugar matters more to you than the shape of the flakes, you could compare Céréal dark chocolate sprinkles: according to Céréal, they contain 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g and maltitols, so they are not a sugar-free alternative.
You’re specifically looking for sugar-free chocolate flakes for your Sinterklaas breakfast and don’t want to treat ‘less sugar’ as a substitute. Check the claim on the packaging, the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
You’d like to keep using chocolate sprinkles, but are happy to choose sprinkles instead of flakes. Check the difference between a comparison with a standard product and the amount of sugars in the product itself.
You choose chocolate flakes for their shape and flavour on bread or crispbread. Compare the ingredients, nutritional information and packaging of the options you’re considering, especially if sugar matters to you too.
First decide whether sugar-free is a must. Only then does it make sense to choose between flakes and sprinkles with less sugar.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free option | Check the explicit claim on the packaging, the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. | If I specifically want sugar-free flakes for Sinterklaas breakfast, a product with less sugar is not a substitute. Around 46% of shoppers prioritise a sugar-free option. |
| Less sugar, different shape | Compare sugars per 100 g and check whether sprinkles work for you; also read the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging. | I want to keep using chocolate sprinkles and am happy to choose them if that means I can have a product with less sugar. This is a priority for around 36% of shoppers. |
| Familiar flakes | Compare the type of chocolate, ingredients, pack size and availability of the product you want to buy. | The shape of chocolate flakes matters more to me at a special breakfast than reducing sugar. Around 18% of shoppers share this preference. |
These terms don’t mean the same thing. For example, Céréal says its dark chocolate sprinkles contain less sugar than a comparable standard product, but they still contain 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
If sugar-free is a must, check the exact claim, the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the packaging.
Céréal’s lower-sugar option is made up of sprinkles. It doesn’t give you the larger, lighter shape of chocolate flakes.
Before comparing nutritional values, decide whether that particular shape is important for your breakfast.
Céréal dark chocolate sprinkles contain maltitols and list 40 g of polyols per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that foods containing more than 10% added polyols carry a warning about a possible laxative effect.
Read the ingredients and any warning on the packaging of the option you buy.
ALDI directs shoppers to its stores for Kiekeboe flakes, while Lidl lists its milk chocolate flakes as an in-store product. Availability may vary between stores and from one time to another.
Check availability shortly before Sinterklaas Eve, and read the label on the option you actually pick up in store.
An alternative if you’re looking for less sugar and are happy to choose sprinkles instead of flakes.
A range of flakes to compare by type of chocolate and shape.
A supermarket own-brand option to compare if you’re looking for a mix of milk and white chocolate flakes.
No. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that ‘sugar-free’ is a nutrition claim that must be accurate. Céréal says its dark chocolate sprinkles contain 88% less sugar than a comparable standard product, but also lists sugar as an ingredient and 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare chocolate flakes by shape and flavour if those are your priorities, but don’t assume regular flakes are sugar-free. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, ALDI and Lidl stock varieties of flakes; check the packaging of the option you choose to see whether it meets your sugar requirements.
Read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging. Céréal lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g for its dark chocolate sprinkles; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that foods containing more than 10% added polyols carry a warning about a possible laxative effect.
Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the packaging of your flakes. For Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Mix, Jumbo specifically advises storing the product in a cool, dry place.
