Don’t choose a syrup waffle or box of chocolates based solely on a claim such as ‘less sugar’. Compare the carbohydrates, sugars, ingredients and portion size of the exact product. A smaller box of clearly labelled chocolates may be easier to assess than an assorted selection. Whether a portion is suitable depends on the recipient’s individual dietary plan.
You want to give something the recipient can assess the portion size of for themselves. The Diabetes Fonds offers general dietary advice for people with diabetes; when choosing a specific portion, the recipient’s individual dietary plan remains important.
You’re looking for chocolate or biscuits with a suitable label and want to look beyond the claims on the front of the pack. According to the Voedingscentrum, the nutrition table shows carbohydrates and sugars, among other things, which you can compare separately.
If the recipient has a known allergy or sensitivity to certain sweeteners, the exact product matters. Before giving it as a gift, check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the packaging.
First, find out whether the recipient would prefer a syrup waffle, chocolate or a smaller pack. Then compare the nutritional information of the products you’re actually considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates and portion size | Compare the carbohydrates per 100 g and calculate the amount for the intended portion; if needed, discuss that portion with the recipient. | If a gift needs to fit my carbohydrate plan, I want to be able to choose the amount myself. For around 36% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Sugars and sweeteners | As well as ‘of which sugars’, check the total carbohydrates and, if listed, the polyols. | I’m looking for something with less sugar, but I don’t want to rely solely on a claim on the front of the pack. Around 29% of consumers say comparing labels is their top priority. |
| Allergens and tolerance | Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product, as well as any warnings about the use of polyols. | If the recipient needs to avoid certain ingredients, that matters more to me than the look of the packaging. For around 21% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Choosing the right gift format | Check whether the contents, individual portions and nutritional information are clear for a box or smaller pack. | I want to give something special without leaving the recipient guessing about what’s inside or the portion size. For around 14% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
A lower sugar figure doesn’t tell you how many total carbohydrates a product contains. Jumbo Supermarkten lists 2.0 g of sugars but 15 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for Céréal Stevia Sweet dark chocolate.
Compare both figures on the same basis, then consider how much the recipient would actually eat.
For the Daelmans syrup waffle reviewed, Van Altena Wijchen Webshop lists 67 g of carbohydrates and 38 g of sugars per 100 g. This doesn’t tell you what any individual recipient can or can’t eat.
Choose a regular syrup waffle as a gift if you know the recipient would like one and can decide on the portion for themselves; don’t present it as a special dietary choice.
Different fillings may have different ingredients and portion sizes. So the nutritional information for one type of chocolate won’t necessarily tell you about the whole box.
Check the information for the exact contents. If it’s difficult to assess, ask the recipient what they’d be happy to receive.
A useful reference if you want to compare the taste of a traditional syrup waffle with a chocolate gift.
A point of comparison for chocolate and biscuits sold with claims about sugar.
ALDI Nederland’s own-label chocolate range, with bars and pralines among the possible gift options.
A supermarket option if you’re considering a bar of dark chocolate instead of syrup waffles or an assorted box.
This dark chocolate bar fits the idea of a small gift that lets the recipient choose their own portion. It isn’t a box of chocolates, so check the packaging and nutritional information before deciding whether it’s right for them.
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For someone who would prefer a bar of dark chocolate to an assorted box. The bar contains 100 g of chocolate with 85% cocoa.
Before giving it as a gift, compare the carbohydrates and sugars per 100 g with the intended portion. If the recipient has allergies, also check the current ingredients and allergen information.
No. Compare the total carbohydrates and the portion size too. The Voedingscentrum explains that both sugars and starch count as digestible carbohydrates. Whether a portion is suitable also depends on the recipient’s individual dietary plan.
That’s for the recipient to decide; it isn’t general dietary advice. Van Altena Wijchen Webshop lists 67 g of carbohydrates and 38 g of sugars per 100 g for the Daelmans syrup waffle reviewed. If in doubt, it’s better to ask what type and amount the recipient would like.
Check the ingredients and any warning on the label. Polyols may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess, so don’t give a large amount without asking if you’re not sure what the recipient would be comfortable with.
Read the allergen information for the exact box, bar or biscuit you plan to give. The Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit explains which allergens must be listed on the label; if it’s an assortment, it’s important to check each item.
