Who is this choice relevant to?

Late-night snackers looking to cut down on sugar

You fancy something sweet in the evening, but want a syrup waffle with less sugar than a regular version. Check the exact claim and compare the amount of sugars per 100 g and per serving.

People keeping an eye on portion size

You want to know what one syrup waffle adds to your snack. Voedingscentrum lists 189 kcal and 14.7 g of sugars for an extra-large 40 g syrup waffle; the weight and nutritional value of the product you choose may be different.

People with dietary requirements or allergies

For example, you may be looking for a gluten-free or plant-based syrup waffle. First check that the product information meets your needs, then look separately at the sugars per 100 g, the serving size and the allergen information.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a must-have or whether you’re looking for a syrup waffle with less sugar. Then consider the serving size and any dietary or allergy requirements.

What to consider What to check before buying Who should pay particular attention?
Sugar claim Read the exact claim and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per serving. The EU claim ‘sugar-free’ applies to products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I want something sweet in the evening but need to limit sugar, I need to be able to tell ‘less sugar’ apart from ‘sugar-free’. For around 50% of shoppers with this need, reducing sugar is the top priority.
Serving size and energy Check the weight of each waffle, as well as the energy and sugars per serving; a sugar claim doesn’t tell you how much a whole syrup waffle contains. For a late-night snack, I want to know what one waffle adds so I can choose my portion mindfully. Serving size and energy are the main concern for roughly 30% of shoppers.
Dietary requirements and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information, and check that the product carries the label you need, such as ‘gluten-free’ or ‘vegan’. If I have a dietary requirement or allergy, the syrup waffle must meet it first; then I can compare the sugar values. For around 20% of shoppers, suitability is the most important factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘less sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’

    A comparison with a regular syrup waffle doesn’t mean the product contains no sugar. Albert Heijn states that AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than the regular AH version, but they still contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Read both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the label. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the EU claim ‘sugar-free’ applies to products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

  • Taking a dietary label to mean less sugar

    ‘Gluten-free’ and ‘plant-based’ describe other product characteristics. Albert Heijn lists 41 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free organic syrup waffles and 35 g per 100 g for AH Terra Plantaardig stroopwafels.

    First check that the product has the feature you need, then compare the nutritional information for suitable products.

  • Comparing only the figures per 100 g

    For a late-night snack, the weight of each waffle also affects how much sugar and energy you consume. Voedingscentrum gives figures of 14.7 g of sugars and 189 kcal for one extra-large 40 g syrup waffle.

    Before deciding how many to have, check the weight of each waffle and the nutritional information per serving on the packaging.

  • Relying on a product you saw earlier

    Albert Heijn marks the product page for Céréal Stroopwafels suikerarm as ‘Discontinued’. A version you looked at before may therefore not be available as a shopping option now.

    Check which versions are available at the supermarket where you shop, and read the nutritional information on the packaging of the product you actually choose.

Brands to compare

These brands and ranges give you a starting point for comparing syrup waffles. A brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a specific version is sugar-free.

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you want to compare a lower-sugar syrup waffle with versions designed for specific dietary needs.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than the regular AH version, with 23 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The gluten-free organic and AH Terra Plantaardig syrup waffles have different labels; compare their sugar values separately.

Céréal

A familiar product to compare if you’re looking into sugar-reduction claims.

  • Albert Heijn’s page for Céréal Stroopwafels suikerarm states that it contains 65% less sugars than a regular syrup waffle.
  • Albert Heijn marks this product as ‘Discontinued’; don’t take the stated claim as confirmation that you can buy it there.

Daelmans

Worth considering if you want to compare a classic syrup waffle with a flavoured version.

  • Daelmans describes its original syrup waffle as containing ingredients including butter, syrup, vanilla and cinnamon.
  • If reducing sugar is your main priority, check the sugar claim and nutritional information for the specific version you choose.

Jumbo

A range where you can compare regular, mini and gluten-free syrup waffles.

  • Jumbo’s syrup waffle range includes Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels.
  • For a sugar comparison, use the nutritional information for each individual product rather than relying on the category label.

Sondey (Lidl)

A Lidl brand offering biscuits, waffles and syrup waffles, among other things.

  • Lidl lists syrup waffles in its Sondey range.
  • Check the packaging of the specific syrup waffle for its sugar claim and nutritional information.

Biscotto (ALDI)

Worth considering if you’re looking at mini syrup waffles at ALDI.

  • ALDI lists Biscotto Mini stroopwafels in a 300 g pack.
  • Compare the sugars and serving size on the product packaging; the pack weight isn’t the weight of each waffle.

PLUS

A supermarket range where you can compare syrup waffles from brands including Daelmans and Bakker Joop.

  • PLUS’s syrup waffle category includes both brands.
  • Check the product information for the version you choose if you’re looking for a specific sugar claim or dietary feature.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a syrup waffle be called ‘sugar-free’?

Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the EU ‘sugar-free’ nutrition claim applies to solid products such as syrup waffles containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check whether the claim is actually used on the packaging and look at the ‘of which sugars’ line.

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

No. Albert Heijn compares its Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels with the regular AH version and states that they contain 32% less sugar, but the product still contains 23 g of sugars per 100 g. For this kind of claim, check both the reference product and the amount of sugars in the syrup waffle you’re buying.

How should I compare syrup waffles if I want one in the evening?

First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then check the weight and nutritional values of one waffle. Voedingscentrum lists 189 kcal and 14.7 g of sugars for an extra-large 40 g syrup waffle; for a different size, use the information on the packaging of the product you choose.

Does a gluten-free or plant-based syrup waffle contain less sugar?

Not necessarily. Albert Heijn lists 41 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free organic syrup waffles and 35 g per 100 g for AH Terra Plantaardig stroopwafels. First choose a product that meets your dietary requirements, then compare the sugar values.

Which allergens should I check in a syrup waffle?

This varies by version. Albert Heijn’s product information lists milk, cereals containing gluten and soya, among other allergens, for AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels. For the gluten-free organic version, it lists egg and lupin. Check the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the product you choose.