Which option is right for you?

Shoppers looking for strictly sugar-free options

‘Reduced sugar’ and ‘no added sugar’ aren’t enough for you. You’re looking for a product explicitly labelled as sugar-free, and you’ll also check the latest nutritional information.

Commuters avoiding added sugar

You want a topping for a quick breakfast with your coffee and are happy to have sugars from ingredients such as dates. Choco chunks could be an option if you don’t need classic flakes.

Commuters who mainly want less sugar

You’re looking for less sugar than in regular chocolate sprinkles and don’t mind choosing sprinkles rather than flakes. If a product contains sweeteners, you’ll also check the ingredients and usage warning.

What should you look for in flakes to take on the go?

First decide whether you mean sugar-free, want to avoid added sugar or are mainly looking for less sugar. These preferences don’t necessarily point to the same topping for breakfast with your coffee.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Strictly sugar-free Look for the explicit ‘sugar-free’ claim and check the latest nutritional information per 100 g. If sugar-free is a must for my breakfast, I don’t want to rely on packaging that only says ‘reduced sugar’. For around 42% of shoppers, this strict requirement comes first.
No added sugar Read the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g; also consider the shape of the topping. For a quick breakfast, I’m happy with sugars from dates, but I want to avoid added sugar and don’t need classic flakes. Around 33% of shoppers prioritise this.
Less sugar and sweeteners Compare sugar values on the same per-100 g basis, and read the ingredients and usage warning. Before setting off, I mainly want less sugar than in regular chocolate sprinkles and to know what else is in the product. For around 25% of shoppers, this practical reduction matters most.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    Sugars from dates count towards the nutritional value. Puur Mieke’s product information states that No Sugar Daddies Extra Puur Choco Chunks contain 34 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Be clear about which of the two requirements matters to you, and check both the claim and the sugar content.

  • Looking only at the ‘less sugar’ percentage

    According to Albert Heijn, AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker contains 30% less sugar than the regular AH version, but still has 43 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g, not just the relative claim on the front of the pack.

  • Overlooking the warning about polyols

    The Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers product reviewed here contains 40 g of polyols per 100 g. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the warning on the packaging before choosing a new topping for breakfast just before you set off.

  • Relying on outdated allergen information

    According to their product information, the De Ruijter dark chocolate flakes and Céréal chocolate sprinkles discussed here contain soya and may contain milk. Ingredients and allergen information can change.

    If you have allergies, always check the label on the packaging you’re actually using.

Brands and product ranges compared

De Ruijter

De Ruijter’s classic chocolate flakes come in several varieties, including dark chocolate.

  • The dark chocolate variety offers the classic flake shape for anyone who prefers it.
  • According to Albert Heijn, sugar is the first ingredient listed, and this variety contains 63 g of sugars per 100 g. It’s therefore not suitable if you need a strictly sugar-free option.

Albert Heijn

AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker is an own-brand option for anyone looking for reduced-sugar chocolate sprinkles, rather than chocolate flakes specifically.

  • Albert Heijn states that this product contains 30% less sugar than its regular dark chocolate sprinkles.
  • The same product information lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g, with sugar as the first ingredient. Here, ‘reduced sugar’ does not mean sugar-free.

Céréal

Céréal Hagelslag puur minder suikers is a chocolate sprinkle option for shoppers who mainly compare the sugar content of toppings.

  • The product information lists 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g; compare this value with other products on the same basis.
  • This isn’t a classic flake or a sugar-free option. It contains maltitols and soya, may contain milk, and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

No Sugar Daddies

According to Puur Mieke’s product information, Extra Puur Choco Chunks are sweetened with dates and sold with no added sugar.

  • The chunks offer a different type of topping for anyone looking to avoid added sugar who doesn’t want classic flakes.
  • According to Puur Mieke, they contain 34 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugar’ doesn’t make them sugar-free.

Products at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘reduced sugar’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No. ‘Reduced sugar’ compares one product with another; on its own, it doesn’t mean a product is sugar-free. For example, Albert Heijn lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker. If you need a strictly sugar-free option, check for an explicit claim and the latest nutritional information.

Does a topping with no added sugar contain no sugar at all?

Not necessarily. According to Puur Mieke, No Sugar Daddies Extra Puur Choco Chunks are sold with no added sugar, but are sweetened with dates and contain 34 g of sugars per 100 g according to the product information.

What should I look out for in maltitol chocolate sprinkles before travelling?

Pay particular attention to the ingredients and usage warning. The Céréal chocolate sprinkles discussed here list 40 g of polyols per 100 g and warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

How should I store chocolate flakes or choco chunks?

Follow the instructions on the packaging of the variety you choose. The De Ruijter dark chocolate flakes discussed here should be stored in a cool, dry place. The product information for the No Sugar Daddies choco chunks discussed here says to store them in a cool, dark place at 16–18 °C, away from sunlight.

Which allergens should I check in these toppings?

Check the label on the specific packaging before use. According to their product information, the De Ruijter dark chocolate flakes and Céréal dark chocolate sprinkles discussed here contain soya and may contain milk; this information can change between products or packaging.