Consumers looking for strictly sugar-free options
You want a stroopwafel that meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Packaging that says only ‘low sugar’ or ‘less sugar’ doesn’t confirm that it does.
Who is this relevant to?
Sporty types looking to pack less sugar
You’re looking for a stroopwafel to take in your gym bag and want to compare sugars per 100 g and per wafer, along with portion size and ingredients.
Sporty types who also choose gluten-free
Check the gluten-free claim and sugar content separately: one doesn’t tell you anything about the other.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether sugar-free is a must-have or whether you’re simply looking to cut down on sugar. Then check the portion you’ll actually take with you, and look at any other dietary requirements separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I’m looking for a strictly sugar-free option, I want to know whether the wafer actually meets that threshold; this would be the main priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Less sugar | Compare sugars per 100 g and per wafer. Don’t treat ‘low sugar’ and ‘less sugar’ as synonyms for sugar-free. | I want to take a stroopwafel with less sugar, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be sugar-free; this would be the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portion for your gym bag | Check the portion size on the packaging and decide how many wafers you’ll take with you. | For a snack around my training session, I want to know in advance how many I’ll eat each time, without thinking of the wafer as a meal. Portion size would be the priority for around 17% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free | Check the gluten-free claim, then assess the sugars per 100 g separately. | If I need to choose gluten-free, I still want to keep an eye on sugar too; gluten-free would be the deciding factor for around 8% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can only be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A different claim doesn’t confirm that it meets this limit.
If sugar-free is a strict requirement, use the current ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g to make your decision, rather than relying on the product name alone.
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Thinking of a stroopwafel as a post-workout meal
A snack isn’t automatically a substitute for a regular main meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a normal breakfast, lunch or evening meal after exercising.
Decide whether you want to take a snack with you or need a meal after your training session; a sugar claim won’t answer that question.
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Confusing gluten-free with low sugar
Jumbo states that its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels contain 42.4 g of sugars per 100 g. The gluten-free claim therefore answers a different question from the sugar content.
First check the dietary requirement that applies to you, then compare the sugar figures separately.
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Overlooking sweeteners and warnings
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, products with more than 10% added polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients and any warnings before taking a new product with you just before a training session.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Céréal
A stroopwafel labelled ‘low sugar’ for anyone looking for a lower sugar content.
- Albert Heijn lists Céréal Stroopwafels suikerarm.
- ‘Low sugar’ doesn’t confirm that the stroopwafel is sugar-free. Check the current nutritional information and ingredients.
Albert Heijn
A supermarket own-brand option labelled ‘less sugar’.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information may change. Check the current packaging for sugar values, ingredients and allergens.
Daelmans
A well-known stroopwafel range for anyone comparing regular options too.
- PLUS lists Daelmans Stroopwafels and Daelmans Duo.
- If you need a sugar-free option, check the nutritional information for the specific variety; the brand name tells you nothing about that claim.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
A stroopwafel option for anyone specifically looking for gluten-free products.
- Jumbo lists the Crossed Grain certification mark on its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels.
- Jumbo also states that this variety contains 42.4 g of sugars per 100 g; gluten-free doesn’t mean sugar-free in this case.
Sondey
A Lidl range of butter stroopwafels, including a mini version.
- Lidl Netherlands lists Sondey Roomboter stroopwafels and Mini-roomboter stroopwafels.
- If you’re aiming for a particular sugar limit, don’t choose based on the size or product name; check the nutritional information on the packaging you’ve chosen.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a stroopwafel be called sugar-free?
Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can be used if a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. So, when buying stroopwafels, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the current nutritional information.
Are Céréal low sugar and AH less sugar stroopwafels sugar-free too?
Those claims don’t confirm that the stroopwafels are sugar-free. Albert Heijn lists Céréal Stroopwafels suikerarm and AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels; if you have a strict requirement, check the sugars per 100 g on the packaging you’ve chosen.
Can a stroopwafel replace my post-workout meal?
No. Treat a stroopwafel as a snack, not as an automatic substitute for a main meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a normal breakfast, lunch or evening meal after exercising. For one extra-large 40 g stroopwafel, it lists 189 kcal and 14.7 g of sugars; these figures don’t apply to every variety.
What should I look for in stroopwafels containing polyols?
Read the ingredients and any warnings, especially if you want to eat the wafer just before exercising. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, products with more than 10% added polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Do gluten-free stroopwafels also contain less sugar?
No, gluten-free on its own tells you nothing about the sugar content. For its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels, Jumbo lists both the Crossed Grain certification mark and 42.4 g of sugars per 100 g; assess these two features separately.