Walkers who need a strictly sugar-free option
Your chosen snack must genuinely meet the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, that means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Walkers looking for something ready to eat
You want a snack for the journey that doesn’t require you to prepare bread or a bowl first. Jumbo categorises flakes as sweet sandwich toppings, while ALDI offers snacks such as cereal bars as a separate product category. The type of product alone tells you nothing about its sugar content.
Shoppers comparing food labels
You want to check the ingredients, allergens and sugar content of the variant you choose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional values per 100 g, as manufacturers may use different serving sizes.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to take flakes as a sandwich topping or are looking for a snack you can eat straight away. Then check whether the sugar content, ingredients and allergens of the exact variant meet your requirements.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If sugar-free is a must for me, a claim such as ‘dark’ or ‘no added sugar’ isn’t enough. For around 42% of consumers, being genuinely sugar-free comes first. |
| Eating on the go | Decide whether you want a sandwich topping for a meal break or a separately wrapped snack you can eat straight away. | If you want to eat while walking without bread or a bowl, a ready-to-eat product is the most practical choice. Around 33% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack; compare the nutritional values per 100 g. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, I can’t rely on the flavour name alone. For around 25% of consumers, checking ingredients and allergens is the main priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means sugar-free
According to Jumbo’s product information, De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Puur contains 63 g of sugars per 100 g. So the name ‘Puur’ (dark) doesn’t mean these flakes are sugar-free.
If you need a sugar-free option, use the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g as your check.
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Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means sugar-free
ALDI describes some of its cereal bars as sugar-free and others as having no added sugar. A claim for one variant doesn’t automatically apply to another.
Check the variant name, the claim and the nutritional information on the pack you’re buying.
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Choosing a sandwich topping as a ready-to-eat snack
Jumbo categorises flakes as sweet sandwich toppings. That’s a different way to eat them from having a separately wrapped snack while walking.
Decide whether you want to have flakes during a meal break or need something you can eat straight from the pack.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
Allergen information varies by product: the De Ruijter flakes described by Jumbo list soya and may contain milk; Choca products list wheat and soya, and may contain milk, among other allergens.
Read the allergen information on the pack for the exact flavour and variant.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter makes chocolate flakes sold as sweet sandwich toppings.
- For Chocoladevlokken Puur, Jumbo lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- According to Jumbo, this specific variant contains 63 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t suitable if you need a strictly sugar-free option.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells own-brand chocolate flakes in dark, milk and duo variants, in 300 g packs.
- These variants give you a starting point for comparing pack sizes and product information for standard flakes.
- Check the nutritional information for each variant separately; the variant name doesn’t confirm that it’s sugar-free.
Choca
Choca flakes are part of Jumbo’s range of sweet sandwich toppings.
- Jumbo lists the ingredients and nutritional values for Choca Vlokken.
- According to Jumbo, Choca Vlokken contain 71 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the allergen information too if it matters to your choice.
Joybuy products to suit this choice
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a snack be labelled sugar-free?
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. For a solid snack, check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the pack for the variant you’ve chosen.
Are dark chocolate flakes automatically sugar-free?
No. According to Jumbo’s product information, De Ruijter Chocoladevlokken Puur contains 63 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘Puur’ in the product name doesn’t mean the flakes are sugar-free.
Are flakes a practical snack for a walk?
Flakes are best suited to a meal break, when you can use them as a sandwich topping. If you’re looking for something you can eat straight away without bread or a bowl, consider a separately wrapped snack and check the sugar content of the exact variant.
How do I compare the nutritional information of two snacks?
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, serving sizes listed by manufacturers may differ. Also read the ingredients list and allergen information for both products.