Aniseed sprinkles are a sweet bread topping, not a box of chocolates or a specialist sports product. If you’re looking for something small to eat before exercise, first decide when and how much you want to eat. If you’re considering a different snack or a meal, think about what else you’ll need and check the label of the product you choose.
They want to time their food and choose a portion that suits their training, without having a large meal just beforehand. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between a meal eaten a few hours beforehand and food eaten closer to exercise.
They assess a snack as part of their overall carbohydrate intake. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, people who are very active need more carbohydrates.
They check the ingredients, allergens, any cross-contamination warnings and storage instructions on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides information about how allergens are listed on labels.
First, decide whether you mean aniseed sprinkles as a bread topping or are looking for a snack in its own right. Then consider when you’ll eat it, the portion you want and the nutritional information for the product you plan to buy.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Timing and portion | Work out how long you have until training and how large the whole snack will be, including anything you eat with the aniseed sprinkles. | If I’m eating just before training, I don’t want a large portion. Timing and portion size are the main priorities for around 50% of consumers. |
| Carbohydrates per portion | Compare the nutritional values for the portion you plan to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average values for aniseed sprinkles of 13,8 g of carbohydrates and 0,3 g of protein per 15 g; the values for your chosen variety may differ. | For long, intense training, I want to know how a snack contributes to my overall carbohydrate intake. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this question. |
| Product and label | Check whether you’re buying a bread topping or another type of product, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. | If I need to watch the ingredients, I want to know what’s in this particular pack and whether I’m buying the product I intended. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Jumbo and Albert Heijn list aniseed sprinkles as a sweet bread topping. A box of chocolates is a different type of product, even if both appear in a search.
Before buying, decide whether you mean a bread topping, individual chocolates or a snack in its own right.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average values for aniseed sprinkles of 60 kcal and 13,8 g of carbohydrates per 15 g. The label on a specific variety may show different values.
Use the average values as a guide and check the nutritional information on the pack you choose.
The amount of bread topping doesn’t tell you how large the whole portion is or how close to training you’ll eat it.
Make sure the whole snack and the timing work for you, especially if you prefer not to eat much just before exercise.
A name or image is no substitute for checking the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack.
Read the current label, even if you’ve bought the same variety before.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter varieties in their range of aniseed sprinkles, including celebration sprinkles and pink-and-white or blue-and-white sprinkles.
No. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list aniseed sprinkles as a sweet bread topping. So check the product type if you’re actually looking for individual chocolates or a snack in its own right.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a meal around two to three hours before exercise, along with around 500 ml of fluid. If you eat closer to training, consider the size of the portion and what feels comfortable for you.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sports bars and gels aren’t needed for exercise lasting less than an hour. For long, intense exercise, it’s more important to consider your overall carbohydrate intake.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack, including any cross-contamination warning. Don’t rely only on the product name or on packaging you’ve seen before.
