Antwerp Hands Butter Biscuits (Antwerpse Handjes)
Quick answer
A medium portion of Antwerp Hands Butter Biscuits (Antwerpse Handjes) (12 g) contains 58 kcal, with 7.2 g of net carbohydrates and 0.8 g of protein. Its glycemic index is 65 (Medium) for how fast it raises blood sugar, while its glycemic load per portion is 4.7 (Low) for its actual effect.
- Carbs7.4 g51.4%
- Protein0.8 g5.6%
- Fat2.8 g42.9%
- Fibre0.3 g
Percentages of total energy (calories)
The best-known souvenir from Antwerp, Belgium's diamond and port city: a crunchy biscuit shaped like a small hand and topped with flaked almonds. Its flavour is built on butter, wheat flour and egg, and it is rich in sugar and fat (about 480 kcal per 100 g). Our team estimates its glycemic index at about 65 (medium), but the small size of each biscuit (only 12 g) makes it a good measured treat: one biscuit with an unsweetened coffee gives you 58 kcal and about 7 g of carbohydrate, with a low glycemic load (4.7), satisfying your biscuit craving without overdoing the portion.
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
One biscuit (12 g, about 58 kcal).
Best preparation methods
Have it with unsweetened coffee or tea after a meal, and put one biscuit on a plate and the tin back in the cupboard rather than eating straight from the tin.
Important Nutritional Note
It is rich in sugar and fat; two biscuits (24 g) give a glycemic load of about 9.3, so do not go beyond two. It contains wheat, almonds, egg and milk for people with those allergies.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (12 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 480 kcal | 57.6 kcal |
| Protein | 6.8 g | 0.8 g |
| Carbohydrate | 62 g | 7.4 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 59.9 g | 7.2 g |
| Fat | 23 g | 2.8 g |
| Dietary fibre | 2.1 g | 0.3 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Sweets & desserts with a glycemic index (54), it ranks 36 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Is Antwerp Hands Butter Biscuits (Antwerpse Handjes) good for weight loss?
Antwerp Hands Butter Biscuits (Antwerpse Handjes) provides 480 kcal per 100 g, so it is high in calories and fits a weight-loss plan only in small, measured amounts; a 12 g portion gives 58 kcal.
How does Antwerp Hands Butter Biscuits (Antwerpse Handjes) affect blood sugar?
Its glycemic index is 65 (Medium), a clinically reviewed estimate rather than a laboratory measurement. A typical 12 g portion has a glycemic load of 4.7 (Low), so the effect of this portion on blood sugar is limited.
What is the nutritional value of a typical portion of Antwerp Hands Butter Biscuits (Antwerpse Handjes)?
A typical 12 g portion of Antwerp Hands Butter Biscuits (Antwerpse Handjes) provides about 58 kcal, 0.8 g protein, 7.4 g carbohydrate, 2.8 g fat and 0.3 g fibre.
How many biscuits can someone with diabetes have with their coffee?
One biscuit (glycemic load about 4.7) or two at most (about 9.3) with unsweetened coffee after a meal; avoid eating them on an empty stomach or finishing half the tin without noticing.
Why are the biscuits shaped like a hand?
It goes back to the founding legend of Antwerp, whose hero Brabo defeated the giant Antigoon, cut off his hand and threw it into the river Scheldt.
Do they contain hydrogenated oils?
The original recipe is based on butter and flaked almonds and needs no hydrogenated oils. Commercial recipes vary, though, so read the ingredient list, or scan the label with the boodi app.
Read also
- HbA1c & Insulin Resistance: Comprehensive Clinical GuideArticle
- Prediabetes: How to Stop the Train and Lower Your HbA1cGuide
References & Scientific Sources
- The glycemic index of this food is a clinically reviewed estimate by the WiBo Health medical team, not a laboratory measurement from the International GI Tables (Atkinson 2021). GI bands (low ≤ 55 · medium 56–69 · high ≥ 70) follow: ISO 26642:2010. Food products — Determination of the glycaemic index (GI) and recommendation for food classification. International Organization for Standardization; 2010. www.iso.org/standard/43633.html
- Definition of available carbohydrate and glycemic load: FAO/WHO. Carbohydrates in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO expert consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 66. Rome; 1998. www.fao.org/4/w8079e/w8079e00.htm
Reviewed by Dr. Wassim Habib · Last reviewed 21 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.