If you want a small topping before training
You’re looking for something sweet to add to bread or yoghurt and don’t want to consider Muisjes a complete snack.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re looking for a more filling snack
You want to eat more than just a sweet topping before exercise, so you’re also considering the base of your snack and how long you have until your training session.
If chocolate flavour or ingredients come first
For a dark chocolate flavour, compare chocolate products rather than Muisjes. If you need to avoid wheat or gluten, check the allergen information for the exact variety; Albert Heijn lists both for the pink-and-white De Ruijter Muisjes.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you mean aniseed Muisjes or a chocolate topping. Then compare the nutritional information for the exact variety and think about how much topping you want to add to your snack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| A small sweet addition | Check the nutritional values per 100 g and decide how many Muisjes to add to your snack. | If I want a little something on bread or yoghurt shortly before training, what matters most is how the topping fits into my snack. For roughly 36% of consumers, this light addition is the priority. |
| A more filling snack | Consider the whole snack, including its base and portion size, rather than just the topping. | For a longer eating occasion, I don’t want to rely solely on a sweet topping. Around 29% of consumers give a more filling snack top priority. |
| Dark chocolate flavour | Read the product name and ingredients to tell Muisjes apart from chocolate sprinkles or chocolate flakes. | If cocoa is the flavour I’m looking for, I don’t want to choose aniseed Muisjes based on their colour. For around 21% of consumers, choosing the right product type matters most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the label of the exact variety, especially the ingredients and highlighted allergens. | If I need to avoid wheat or gluten, checking the pack comes before choosing a flavour. For around 14% of consumers, checking the ingredients comes first. |
According to Albert Heijn, the pink-and-white De Ruijter variety contains 92 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, of which 79 g are sugars, and 2 g of protein. These figures describe this variety per 100 g, not the amount you add to a single snack. A review in Nutrients on nutrition before endurance exercise also describes different outcomes for longer and shorter bouts of exercise; it does not recommend a standard portion of Muisjes for every training session.
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a dark colour for cocoa
The Muisjes varieties mentioned are sugar-coated aniseed seeds. Albert Heijn lists dark chocolate sprinkles and extra-dark chocolate flakes separately.
If chocolate flavour is what you’re after, choose by product name and ingredients, not by the colour of the Muisjes.
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Looking only at the topping
The nutritional value of Muisjes doesn’t tell you how the whole snack adds up or what portion is right for your training.
Consider what you’re eating with the topping and how long there is between eating and exercising.
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Relying on outdated allergen information
Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for the pink-and-white De Ruijter Muisjes. Don’t assume that another variety has the same ingredients.
Before eating them, read the label on the pack you’re actually buying.
A relevant brand to consider
De Ruijter
Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Muisjes alongside separate chocolate products; PLUS also lists crushed De Ruijter Muisjes.
- Albert Heijn’s range includes pink-and-white, blue-and-white and crushed Muisjes.
- For the pink-and-white variety, Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten. Check the label on each other variety separately.
Chocolate toppings on Joybuy
These products are chocolate alternatives for anyone looking for a dark chocolate flavour, rather than Muisjes. Choose according to the product type you want, and check the packaging if the ingredients, allergens or cocoa content are important to you.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks, 390 g
A chocolate product to consider if you’re looking for chocolate flavour rather than aniseed Muisjes. The pack contains 390 g; decide how much to use based on your whole snack, and read the label for ingredients and allergens.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure, 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone looking for a chocolate topping rather than Muisjes. The pack contains 390 g; check the label if a particular cocoa content or specific ingredients are important to you.
Frequently asked questions
Are dark Muisjes the same as dark chocolate sprinkles?
No. De Ruijter Muisjes are sugar-coated aniseed seeds; Albert Heijn lists dark chocolate sprinkles and extra-dark chocolate flakes as separate products. Check the ingredients if you’re specifically looking for cocoa.
Can I have Muisjes as a complete snack before exercise?
It’s better to think of Muisjes as a topping rather than a complete snack. According to Albert Heijn, the pink-and-white De Ruijter variety contains 2 g of protein per 100 g; also consider the base of your snack, the portion size and how long you have until training.
Are De Ruijter Muisjes gluten-free?
According to Albert Heijn, the pink-and-white variety contains wheat and cereals containing gluten. Don’t assume this applies to other varieties: always read the allergen information on the pack of the product you’re buying.
How should I store Muisjes, and which date should I follow?
For the variety described by Albert Heijn, store in a dry place; the best-before date is printed on the packaging. Follow the instructions on your own pack.