Who might this choice be relevant to?

People looking for a strictly sugar-free option

For them, ‘less sugar’ isn’t enough. Standard De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes are not suitable: Jumbo states that they contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g.

Fans of the familiar aniseed flavour

If you specifically want Gestampte Muisjes on bread or crispbread, chocolate sprinkles aren’t an equivalent alternative in terms of flavour. Choosing the standard Muisjes does mean choosing a product that contains sugar.

People considering a different topping

If you don’t mind missing out on the aniseed flavour, you could look at chocolate sprinkles with less sugar. Check the ingredients and allergens too: Albert Heijn lists polyols among the ingredients in Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether sugar-free is a firm requirement. Then consider whether the aniseed flavour, the ingredients or the topping’s role in your coffee break will guide your choice.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Sugar-free or less sugar Read the claim on the packaging, as well as the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutritional information. If I don’t want a topping that contains sugar, a ‘less sugar’ claim isn’t enough for me. For around 31% of consumers, being strictly sugar-free is the deciding factor.
Aniseed flavour Check whether it’s Gestampte Muisjes or chocolate sprinkles with a different flavour and shape. If you want to keep the familiar aniseed flavour with your coffee, chocolate sprinkles won’t feel like the same choice. For around 31% of consumers, flavour comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen. If you’re considering sprinkles with sweeteners, check the polyol content too. If an ingredient isn’t suitable for me or has caused problems in the past, the ingredients matter more than the flavour. Around 23% of consumers put these checks first.
The whole coffee break Think of the topping as part of everything else you eat and drink with your afternoon coffee. If you’re putting together a coffee break for an older person, you won’t want to focus solely on the sugar content of the topping. For around 15% of consumers, the overall eating occasion matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘less sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’

    Albert Heijn states that Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar still contain 15 g of sugars per 100 g. So ‘less’ doesn’t mean the product contains no sugars.

    Compare the exact product name and claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the current packaging.

  • Assuming chocolate sprinkles are the same as Muisjes

    A chocolate product doesn’t have the aniseed flavour of Gestampte Muisjes. A lower sugar content doesn’t make it a substitute if it’s that particular flavour you’re after.

    Decide first whether the aniseed flavour is essential, then consider a different topping.

  • Overlooking polyols and allergens

    Albert Heijn states that Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles contain 44 g of polyols per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, which foods can cause wind varies from person to person and depends on the amount eaten.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, especially if certain ingredients have caused problems before or need to be avoided.

  • Focusing only on the topping

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights sufficient energy, nutrients and fluids as important considerations when planning an older person’s diet. The choice of topping doesn’t tell you what the rest of the coffee break consists of.

    Consider what else is being eaten and drunk, rather than treating the topping as the basis of the whole eating occasion.

Brands and product ranges to consider

De Ruijter

De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes are the traditional aniseed variety, enjoyed on bread and crispbread, among other things.

  • Keeps the familiar aniseed flavour and traditional form.
  • Not suitable if you need a strictly sugar-free option: Albert Heijn lists sugar as the first ingredient, while Jumbo states that it contains 79 g of sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn’s ingredients list also includes wheat starch.

Céréal

Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar are a chocolate alternative if aniseed flavour and the Muisjes shape aren’t essential.

  • Albert Heijn states that this variety contains 15 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • These aren’t Gestampte Muisjes and they aren’t sugar-free. Albert Heijn also states that they contain 44 g of polyols per 100 g; check the current ingredients and allergen information.

AH

AH milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar are also a chocolate topping, not a variety of Gestampte Muisjes.

  • According to Albert Heijn, these sprinkles contain 30% less sugar than AH milk chocolate sprinkles.
  • The comparison with AH milk chocolate sprinkles doesn’t make this product sugar-free or replace the aniseed flavour.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes sugar-free?

No. Albert Heijn lists sugar as the first ingredient in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, while Jumbo states that they contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g.

Does ‘less sugar’ also mean ‘sugar-free’?

No. ‘Less sugar’ describes a reduction compared with a product used for comparison. According to Albert Heijn, AH milk chocolate sprinkles with less sugar contain 30% less sugar than AH milk chocolate sprinkles. If you need a sugar-free option, check both the claim and the nutritional information for the product you’re planning to buy.

Are chocolate sprinkles with less sugar automatically suitable for someone with diabetes?

No. The ‘less sugar’ label doesn’t determine whether a product fits someone’s individual dietary requirements. Diabetesvereniging Nederland emphasises that there isn’t one diet that suits everyone with diabetes. If you have questions about your own dietary requirements, speak to your healthcare professional or dietitian.

What should I look for with maltitol and other polyols?

Check the ingredients and how much you use, especially if you’ve reacted badly to products containing polyols before. Albert Heijn states that Céréal milk chocolate sprinkles contain 44 g of polyols per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, reactions to foods vary from person to person and depend on the amount eaten.