Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers looking for strictly sugar-free options

You want the sugar content of your speculoos to meet the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. The sweeteners used and any allergens are also important when making your choice.

Shoppers who check the ingredients

You might be looking for almonds, organic ingredients, spelt or a vegan product. First decide whether these features matter more to you than a strictly sugar-free recipe.

Shoppers with allergies or dietary requirements

A low sugar content isn’t enough if you need to avoid certain ingredients. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the speculoos you choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing speculoos that appears to be a more sugar-conscious option, first decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement. Then consider which ingredients and conditions of use matter most to you.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Truly sugar-free Check the claim on the packaging and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. If sugar-free is a strict requirement for me, I want to choose a biscuit based on its stated sugar content, not just the front of the pack. For around 42% of consumers, this reassurance matters most.
Sweeteners and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen lists, and check the warning about consumption when polyols are present. If you need to avoid certain ingredients or want to keep an eye on sweeteners, sugar content alone doesn’t tell you enough. For around 33% of consumers, the ingredients matter most.
Ingredients and flavour preferences Decide whether features such as organic ingredients, spelt or a vegan recipe take priority. Also compare the sugars per 100 g. If I’m choosing mainly for the ingredients or a familiar flavour, I want to know whether that means giving up on a sugar-free option. For around 25% of consumers, these preferences make the difference.

Common mistakes

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

    According to Albert Heijn, BioToday Spelt speculoos carries the claim ‘No refined sugars’, but contains 21 g of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for ‘sugar-free’.

    If you need a strictly sugar-free option, always check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

  • Assuming sugar-free means low-calorie or low-fat

    Alongside 0.4 g of sugars, the product information for Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces lists 404 kcal and 12 g of saturated fat per 100 g. So the sugar content doesn’t tell you everything about its nutritional value.

    Also compare energy, saturated fat and salt per 100 g if these figures matter to you.

  • Only checking sweeteners and allergens after buying

    According to the product information, Céréal speculoos contains maltitols and 29 g of polyols per 100 g, as well as several allergens. Jumbo warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Before buying, check the current ingredients list, allergen information and warnings on the packaging.

Brands to consider

Céréal

Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces is a useful reference if you’re specifically looking for a product labelled ‘sugar-free’.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g for this product; the product information also states that it contains 10% almonds.
  • The product information lists 29 g of polyols and 12 g of saturated fat per 100 g, and names wheat, almonds, egg, milk, soya and barley among its allergens. Jumbo warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

BioToday

BioToday Spelt speculoos is suited to shoppers looking for the stated organic ingredients and vegan qualities, rather than those with a strict sugar-free requirement.

  • The product information on Albert Heijn describes this spelt speculoos as organic and vegan.
  • The ‘No refined sugars’ claim doesn’t change the stated 21 g of sugars per 100 g.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff speculoos is another option if the classic flavour matters more to you than a sugar-free recipe.

  • The product information for these biscuits states that they are vegan.
  • The nutrition information lists 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g, so these biscuits aren’t suitable if you need a strictly sugar-free option.

Speculoos on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean for speculoos?

For the ‘sugar-free’ claim, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ and ‘no refined sugars’ don’t mean the same thing. Check the nutrition information per 100 g for the sugar content.

Does Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces meet that sugar limit?

Yes. The 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g listed by Albert Heijn for Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces is below the 0.5 g per 100 g limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets for ‘sugar-free’. Also check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.

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

No. According to Albert Heijn, BioToday Spelt speculoos is labelled ‘No refined sugars’, while the nutrition information lists 21 g of sugars per 100 g. If sugar-free is a strict requirement for you, compare the sugars per 100 g.

What else should I look for in sugar-free speculoos?

Also check the sweeteners, allergens and any warnings about consumption. The product information for Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces lists maltitols and ingredients including wheat, almonds, egg, milk, soya and barley. Jumbo warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the current packaging before you choose.