Who is this relevant to?

People with a strict sugar-free requirement

You want a stroopwafel that meets the threshold for a sugar-free claim. A label such as ‘less sugar’ isn’t enough.

Sugar-conscious train travellers

You’re looking for a stroopwafel to enjoy on the go, with less sugar than a regular version, and are happy for the product to still contain some sugars.

Travellers who also check for allergens

As well as sugars, you need to check the ingredients or gluten content. A gluten-free label on its own tells you nothing about the sugar content.

What should you look for when choosing?

Before choosing a stroopwafel for your train journey, decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement or whether less sugar will do. Then check the allergens and how you’ll carry the stroopwafels with you.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Genuinely sugar-free Check the exact claim and the grams of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the sugar-free threshold at no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. If sugar-free is a firm requirement for me, I don’t want to rely on the words ‘less sugar’. Around 50% of consumers put this requirement first.
Less sugar Check what the product is being compared with, and read the sugars per 100 g and per serving. When I’m travelling, I’m mainly looking for an alternative with less sugar than a regular stroopwafel; I’m happy for it to still contain some sugars. For around 30% of consumers, this relative reduction matters most.
Allergens and portability Read the allergen information and check whether you can reseal the pack once it’s open. I need to choose a stroopwafel that suits my allergen requirements and can be carried neatly after opening. For around 20% of consumers, this extra check comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘less sugar’ means sugar-free

    Albert Heijn lists 23 g of sugars per 100 g for its butter stroopwafels with less sugar. A ‘no sucrose’ label also doesn’t confirm that a stroopwafel is sugar-free.

    If you have a strict sugar-free requirement, check both the claim and the sugars per 100 g on the packaging.

  • Assuming gluten-free also means sugar-free

    Jumbo lists 42.4 g of sugars per 100 g for Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels. The product information also lists egg and lupin.

    Check the gluten, sugars and other allergens separately on the same pack.

  • Relying on one low-sugar option

    Albert Heijn’s product page lists Céréal Stroopwafels suikerarm as no longer in its range. So a version you found previously may not be an easy option before you set off.

    Check whether you can get the product, and if you choose an alternative, read its nutritional information and allergen details again.

  • Carrying an open pack without sealing it

    An open pack is less practical if you only want to eat some of the stroopwafels during your journey. NS asks passengers to put their rubbish in a bin.

    Once opened, keep the stroopwafels in a resealable pack and dispose of the packaging waste responsibly.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels are worth considering if you want to compare a version with a relative reduction in sugar.

  • Albert Heijn lists 32% less sugar than in its regular butter stroopwafels, and 26 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The same product information lists 23 g of sugars per 100 g and names milk, soya and wheat among the allergens. This is not a sugar-free option.

Céréal

Céréal Stroopwafels suikerarm is intended as a point of comparison for anyone looking for a low-sugar version, not as a confirmed sugar-free stroopwafel.

  • Albert Heijn describes the version as low in sugar and lists 65% fewer sugars than in a regular stroopwafel.
  • The product page lists sugars and sweetener, names egg, milk, soya and wheat as allergens, and says the product is no longer in the range.

Markus Stroopwafels

Markus light stroopwafels are a brand to consider if you’re looking for a low-sugar option.

  • According to Markus Stroopwafels, its light stroopwafels contain no sucrose from beet or cane sugar. Each pack contains 6 pieces.
  • No sucrose doesn’t automatically mean sugar-free. Markus lists soya and egg as allergens.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels are worth considering if you’re looking for a gluten-free option as well as checking the sugar content.

  • Jumbo describes these stroopwafels as gluten-free.
  • Jumbo lists 42.4 g of sugars per 100 g and names egg and lupin in the product information. Gluten-free doesn’t indicate a lower sugar content here.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

When is a stroopwafel sugar-free?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; for low sugar, it sets a limit of no more than 5 g per 100 g. Check the exact claim and nutritional information on the pack.

Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. Albert Heijn lists 32% less sugar in its butter stroopwafels with less sugar than in the regular AH version, but they still contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g. A relative reduction doesn’t mean the stroopwafel meets the sugar-free threshold.

Can I choose a gluten-free stroopwafel if I’m looking for a sugar-free one?

Not on the basis of the gluten-free label alone. Jumbo lists 42.4 g of sugars per 100 g for Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels. Check the sugar content and allergen information separately.

How should I take stroopwafels on the train?

Keep an opened pack sealed and check the storage advice on the label. Take your packaging waste with you or, as NS asks, put it in a bin.