Who is this choice relevant to?

Cyclists who want to eat or drink during a long ride

If you want to take on carbohydrates on the go, the main question is which form of nutrition you can portion out while cycling. Voedingscentrum distinguishes between sports nutrition options based on the duration of exercise; a small pack alone doesn’t make aniseed sprinkles suitable for a squeeze bottle.

Cyclists considering a reusable squeeze bottle

If you’re making your own mix, the consistency of the contents, the nozzle and how easy the bottle is to clean are all important considerations. Don’t assume whole or crushed aniseed sprinkles are suitable unless you have instructions for using them with that particular bottle and its contents.

People buying aniseed sprinkles to serve around a ride

Using aniseed sprinkles as a dry topping on bread, crispbread or yoghurt is different from taking nutrition from a bottle. Jumbo describes aniseed sprinkles as a sweet bread topping and a garnish.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to take on carbohydrates during your ride, carry something that won’t spill, or serve aniseed sprinkles dry. If you’re considering aniseed sprinkles or a squeeze-bottle option for cycling, each of these three aims calls for different product checks.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it’s most relevant to
Portioning carbohydrates on the go Compare the length of your ride with the carbohydrates per serving, and check that you can use your chosen form of nutrition while out cycling. For a longer ride, I want to plan my intake without handling loose aniseed sprinkles. For about 45% of these consumers, portioning carbohydrates comes first.
Carrying and cleaning Check the instructions for the contents and the bottle nozzle, and make sure the lid and nozzle are easy to clean. If I carry food in a bottle, I want to be able to get the contents out and clean the bottle afterwards. For about 33% of these consumers, spill-free carrying and cleaning are the main concerns.
Serving aniseed sprinkles dry Choose the variety you want and check the current label for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens. Around the time of my ride, I mainly want to use aniseed sprinkles as a topping, not drink them from a cycling bottle. For about 22% of these consumers, that’s the priority.

Common mistakes

  • Treating dry aniseed sprinkles as ready-to-use sports nutrition

    Jumbo suggests using them on bread, crispbread and yoghurt. The fact that a product can be sprinkled on dry doesn’t tell you whether it will flow through a cycling bottle nozzle when mixed.

    Use aniseed sprinkles as a dry topping if that’s what you’re looking for. For nutrition while cycling, choose a form whose preparation and use instructions suit your plans.

  • Checking the contents but not how to clean the bottle

    Voedingscentrum warns that a reused bottle can contain a lot of bacteria if it isn’t cleaned properly. If there are food residues, remember to check the lid and nozzle too.

    Choose a bottle whose parts you can clean according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and clean it after use.

  • Buying sports nutrition for every short ride

    According to Voedingscentrum, sports bars and gels aren’t needed for exercise lasting less than an hour. The length of your ride is therefore more important than the idea of always carrying something in a squeeze bottle.

    First decide how long you’ll be cycling, then consider whether on-the-go nutrition is right for that ride.

A relevant brand to consider

De Ruijter

Jumbo lists De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles as a sweet bread topping, including regular and crushed varieties.

  • There are varieties for anyone looking for aniseed sprinkles as a dry topping. Jumbo lists, among other options, a 270 g pack of crushed aniseed sprinkles.
  • The suggested uses don’t provide a basis for choosing these varieties as a filling for a cycling squeeze bottle.

Sports drink for your ride

This product is a suitable option if you want to prepare a sports drink for cycling, rather than use aniseed sprinkles as a dry topping. Whether the prepared drink will flow through your cycling bottle nozzle depends on the bottle and its use instructions.

Body & Fit Isotonic Electrolytes Drink Watermelon, 1.05kg pack

Body & Fit Isotonic Electrolytes Drink Watermelon 1.05kg (30 Doses)

For cyclists who want to prepare a sports drink instead of putting aniseed sprinkles in a squeeze bottle.

The pack is labelled 1.05kg and contains 30 doses. This is a powder, not a ready-to-drink beverage, so follow the preparation instructions on the pack.

Before taking it on your ride, check whether the prepared drink is suitable for the nozzle on your own bottle.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Do I need sports nutrition on every bike ride?

No. According to Voedingscentrum, sports bars and gels aren’t needed for exercise lasting less than an hour. For longer periods of exercise, taking on fast-absorbing carbohydrates may be relevant. Match your choice to the duration and intensity of your ride, rather than simply choosing something because it will fit in a bottle.

Why should I clean a reusable bottle thoroughly?

Voedingscentrum warns that a reused bottle can contain a lot of bacteria if it isn’t cleaned properly. Clean the lid and nozzle according to the manufacturer’s instructions too, and don’t leave any mix residue in the bottle.

Should I check the ingredients and allergens in aniseed sprinkles?

Yes. Check the current label before use. Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information can change, so don’t rely solely on an earlier pack or product listing.