Who are these options for?

If you want to choose strictly sugar-free

You’re looking for flakes or another topping that meets the threshold for the sugar-free claim. Simply having less sugar or no added sugars isn’t enough for you.

If you’re looking for a festive topping with less sugar

You want a topping for Christmas breakfast or dessert, and compare the amount of sugars per 100 g. A cereal alternative could work if chocolate flavour isn’t essential.

If you mainly want a crunchy breakfast topping

You’re looking for something to add to yoghurt or quark, and are considering cereal flakes instead of chocolate flakes. The grains and allergen information on the packaging will be important when making your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

For your Christmas celebration, first decide whether sugar-free is a must, or whether you mainly want to keep the chocolate flavour or a crunchy topping. Then compare the nutritional information for products that suit your choice.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Genuinely sugar-free Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g: under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim is permitted at a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g. If sugar-free is a must for me, I don’t want to rely on the front of the packaging. For around 42% of consumers keeping an eye on sugar for this Christmas celebration, that strict requirement comes first.
Chocolate flavour Compare chocolate flakes for sugars and saturated fat per 100 g, and check the ingredients too. I want to serve the familiar chocolate flavour, but I’ll make an informed choice within that product category based on the nutritional information. Around 33% of these consumers prioritise that combination.
Crunchy topping For cereal flakes, check the sugars per 100 g and look at the grains and allergen information. For yoghurt or quark, a crunchy topping matters more to me than chocolate flavour, so I’m happy to choose a different kind of flakes. Around 25% of these consumers prioritise this.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim is permitted only at a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Read the claim alongside ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table.

  • Comparing only the front of the packaging

    Portion sizes shown on packaging can vary. The Voedingscentrum recommends comparing similar products side by side using their nutritional values per 100 g.

    Compare sugars and saturated fat per 100 g, and check the ingredients list too.

  • Expecting cereal flakes to taste the same as chocolate flakes

    Cereal flakes taste different from chocolate flakes. The Smaakt Four-Grain Flakes described by PLUS contain oats, barley, rye and wheat, and 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g, so they aren’t sugar-free.

    Choose them only if a cereal topping suits your dish and your guests’ dietary needs.

  • Overlooking allergens at a Christmas buffet

    According to PLUS, De Ruijter White Flakes contain milk ingredients and lactose, among other things. The four-grain alternative described contains gluten-containing cereals.

    Check the allergen information on every pack, and keep the toppings clearly separated for your guests.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

A brand offering various types of sweet flakes, including white and chocolate varieties.

  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo feature several De Ruijter varieties in their flakes ranges.
  • PLUS lists De Ruijter White Flakes as containing 77 g of sugars per 100 g. This particular variety isn’t suitable if you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option.

Venz

A brand offering mixed flakes, including combinations of milk and vanilla flavours.

  • Venz varieties feature in the flakes ranges at Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
  • Before choosing a Venz variety as a sugar-free option, check the nutritional table on the specific pack.

Choca

A brand of regular sweet flakes for spreading on bread.

  • Choca flakes feature in the ranges at Albert Heijn and Jumbo; PLUS also describes a Choca variety.
  • The brand name doesn’t tell you how much sugar a specific pack contains. Check the figures per 100 g.

Smaakt

Four-grain flakes as a cereal topping instead of chocolate flakes.

  • PLUS lists Smaakt Four-Grain Flakes as containing oats, barley, rye and wheat, and 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • This variety isn’t sugar-free and contains gluten-containing cereals, so it won’t be suitable for every guest.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can flakes be called sugar-free?

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the sugar-free claim may be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table on the packaging; terms such as ‘less sugar’ don’t mean the same thing.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, ‘no added sugars’ means that no monosaccharides or disaccharides, or other foods used for their sweetening properties, have been added. Naturally occurring sugars may still be present, so if you’re looking for a sugar-free option, check the amount of sugars per 100 g too.

Can cereal flakes be an alternative to chocolate flakes for Christmas breakfast?

Yes, if you’re mainly looking for a crunchy topping for something like yoghurt or quark, and are happy with a different flavour. PLUS lists Smaakt Four-Grain Flakes as containing 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g, as well as oats, barley, rye and wheat. This product isn’t sugar-free and contains gluten-containing cereals.

How can I tell whether a topping contains sweeteners?

Check the ingredients list. The Voedingscentrum says that if a sweetener is used, the word ‘sweetener’ will appear there, followed by its name or E-number. If the amount of sugars is important to your choice, check the nutrition table as well.