For the Sinterklaas procession, only choose a syrup waffle labelled sugar-free if the label also lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g – the threshold set by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre for this claim. If less sugar is enough, compare the amount of sugars per 100 g and check the allergens: ‘less sugar’ and ‘gluten-free’ don’t mean ‘sugar-free’.
You want a syrup waffle for the procession that is genuinely sugar-free, not just a lower-sugar variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Check both the claim and the nutrition table on the packaging.
You want to bring a syrup waffle, but would prefer one with a lower sugar content than a standard comparison product. Check how many sugars the product contains per 100 g, and read the ingredients if you also want to avoid sweeteners.
For example, you might be buying gluten-free food for someone who needs to avoid gluten. Check this separately from the sugar content: PLUS lists 41.13 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free syrup waffles.
First decide whether sugar-free is essential. If it isn’t, compare syrup waffles by their sugar content per 100 g and separately check whether they’re suitable for the people you plan to share them with.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Genuinely sugar-free | Check the ‘sugar-free’ claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for this claim. | If you only want to bring a syrup waffle that is demonstrably sugar-free, a ‘less sugar’ claim won’t help; an estimated 45% of these consumers prioritise sugar-free products. |
| Less sugar | Compare the sugars per 100 g and check which product a ‘less sugar’ claim is comparing it with. | If you don’t need a strictly sugar-free product, you may still want a syrup waffle with demonstrably less sugar; an estimated 33% of these consumers see this as their main priority. |
| Suitable for sharing | Read the allergen information on the packaging and assess any gluten-free claim separately from the sugar content. | If someone at the procession needs to avoid certain ingredients, their suitability comes before reducing sugar; an estimated 22% of these consumers prioritise this. |
According to Albert Heijn, AH butter syrup waffles with less sugar contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g, despite being described as lower in sugar than AH butter syrup waffles.
If you need a strictly sugar-free product, check both the claim and the amount of sugars on the packaging.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers set their own serving sizes. This means serving values for different syrup waffles aren’t always directly comparable.
Compare the sugars per 100 g first, then check how much one syrup waffle weighs.
PLUS lists 41.13 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free syrup waffles. Being gluten-free therefore doesn’t mean a product has less sugar.
Check any essential dietary requirements and the nutrition information separately on the exact product packaging.
PLUS lists 47.124 g of sugars per 100 g for its spiced biscuits with stroopwafel flavour. Sinterklaas-themed packaging is not, in itself, a sign of less sugar.
When choosing based on sugar content, use the nutrition information rather than the seasonal theme.
Céréal syrup waffles are sold as a low-sugar option at Albert Heijn, for consumers who are also happy with sweeteners in the ingredients.
AH butter syrup waffles with less sugar are a butter-based option for anyone looking for a lower sugar content than the AH comparison product.
PLUS gluten-free syrup waffles meet a different need from sugar reduction.
Daelmans Original Syrup Waffles are a standard option to share during the procession, not a sugar-free choice.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘sugar-free’ claim means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. ‘Low sugar’ is a different claim, with a limit of no more than 5 g per 100 g. When buying, check both the claim and the syrup waffle’s nutrition table.
No. ‘Less sugar’ describes a comparison; it doesn’t mean the product contains virtually no sugars. Albert Heijn lists 23 g of sugars per 100 g for AH butter syrup waffles with less sugar, alongside its comparison with AH butter syrup waffles.
Compare the nutrition information per 100 g, then check the weight of each syrup waffle. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers can use different serving sizes, so comparing per serving may give a different picture.
Not necessarily: gluten-free and low sugar describe different qualities. PLUS lists 41.13 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free syrup waffles. If you have a dietary requirement, also check the other allergen information on the packaging.
