Hosts keeping an eye on sugar
You want to serve a biscuit with coffee and compare its sugar claim with the nutritional information per 100 g. That way, you’re not relying on the wording on the front of the pack alone.
Who might find this choice useful?
Hosts with guests who have allergies
Before buying and serving the biscuits, you want to know which ingredients and allergens they contain. A sugar claim doesn’t tell you that.
Coffee drinkers who prefer to avoid polyols
You’re looking for a biscuit with little sugar, but also want to know which sweetener it contains. The Céréal speculoos we looked at contains maltitols. According to the Nutrition Centre, high intakes of polyols can cause digestive problems for some people.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the sugar claim and the nutritional information per 100 g. Then check whether the ingredients, allergens and portion information suit the friends you’re planning to serve.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare the ‘sugar-free’ claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; don’t confuse it with ‘no added sugar’. For its speculoos with almond, Céréal lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g. | I want to serve a biscuit with coffee and check how much sugar it contains, rather than relying on the front of the pack alone. This is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, particularly for almonds, wheat, barley, eggs, milk and soya in the Céréal variety. | If friends need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know whether this biscuit is suitable for them before serving it. This is the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Sweetener and portion size | Check which sweetener is used, how many polyols are listed per 100 g and what the nutritional information says per biscuit. Céréal lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g and 44 kcal per biscuit. | I want to serve suitable portions and take into account guests who prefer to avoid polyols. This is a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common serving mistakes
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Taking ‘sugar-free’ to mean full nutritional information
A sugar claim doesn’t tell you how many polyols or how much energy a biscuit contains. For Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces, Céréal lists 0.4 g of sugars as well as 29 g of polyols per 100 g and 44 kcal per biscuit.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, and check the figures per biscuit too when deciding how many to serve with coffee.
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Putting biscuits on a shared plate without checking the allergens
Jumbo’s product information lists almonds, wheat, barley, eggs, milk and soya among the ingredients in the Céréal variety. The ‘sugar-free’ claim doesn’t change what’s in it.
Ask about any relevant allergies beforehand, keep the packaging to hand and, if necessary, serve a separate alternative with suitable ingredients.
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Overlooking the sweetener
Céréal uses maltitols. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The Nutrition Centre explains that high intakes of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea in some people.
Check the sweetener and the warning on the packaging before putting the biscuits out for a group.
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Relying solely on the online product page
Albert Heijn says that product ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. So a product page you looked at earlier isn’t the final check before serving.
Read the current packaging before buying, and keep it handy in case guests ask about the ingredients.
Brands and retailers to help you find your way
These names can help you distinguish between specific products and their information; a retailer’s name isn’t an endorsement of every biscuit in its range.
Céréal
Céréal describes its Speculoos with almond pieces as a sugar-free biscuit to enjoy with coffee or tea.
- For this variety, Céréal lists 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g, plus 44 kcal per biscuit.
- The ingredients include maltitols and allergens such as almonds, wheat, barley, eggs, milk and soya.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries presents its standard Biscoff biscuit as a treat to enjoy with coffee.
- This is another option if ‘sugar-free’ isn’t a requirement for your coffee break.
- Don’t assume standard Biscoff is sugar-free just because it’s made to go with coffee; check the label on the product you choose.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has a product page for Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces, labelled as sugar-free.
- The product page can help you identify the Céréal variety you’re looking for.
- Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as ingredients and allergen information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo shows product information for the Céréal variety and also publishes a recipe for sugar-free speculaas.
- The product page lists the ingredients and allergens in the ready-made Céréal speculoos.
- A recipe title tells you nothing about the nutritional value or ingredients of a ready-made biscuit; assess each product separately.
Joybuy products related to this topic
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘sugar-free’ mean a biscuit contains absolutely no sugars?
No. The claim doesn’t mean the figure in the nutrition table has to be zero. For its sugar-free Speculoos with almond pieces, Céréal lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ line on the pack you choose.
Which allergens should I check in Céréal speculoos?
At the very least, check the current packaging of Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces for almonds, wheat, barley, eggs, milk and soya. Jumbo lists these ingredients in its product information, but the pack you’re serving is the one to check.
Why do biscuits containing maltitol carry a warning about excessive consumption?
The product information for Céréal speculoos warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The Nutrition Centre says that high intakes of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea in some people. So check the sweetener and warning when choosing biscuits for your guests.