Choose regular aniseed sprinkles if you want sugar-coated aniseed, not as a substitute for chocolate made with Fairtrade cocoa: the De Ruijter varieties reviewed contain no cocoa. If you specifically want Fairtrade cocoa before exercise, look for an explicit mention on the packaging of a chocolate product, such as Fairtrade Original milk chocolate sprinkles. Also consider the timing, portion size and allergens.
You want a small bite before a workout and care about the product clearly stating that its cocoa is Fairtrade. Regular De Ruijter Muisjes are sugar-coated aniseed without cocoa, so you’ll need to look at a different type of product for chocolate.
If your workout is about to start, the main thing is to decide whether you need anything to eat and what portion feels right for you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating a regular meal around two to three hours before exercise.
Check each variety individually: Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Blue and White Muisjes, while the Fairtrade Original milk chocolate sprinkles reviewed contain milk.
First decide whether you want aniseed sprinkles or Fairtrade chocolate. The product type, when you plan to eat it and its ingredients will help you choose the right option.
Choose these: if you specifically want sugar-coated aniseed as a sweet topping.
Bear in mind: the De Ruijter varieties reviewed contain no cocoa, so they won’t meet your needs if you’re looking for Fairtrade chocolate.
Choose these: if Fairtrade cocoa is your priority and chocolate sprinkles are a suitable alternative to aniseed sprinkles for you. Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade cocoa and sugar in the Fairtrade Original milk variety.
Bear in mind: chocolate sprinkles are a different product with different ingredients. If you choose the milk variety, check the milk information too.
Choose this: if you’ve already eaten and don’t feel you need anything extra before a short recreational workout.
Bear in mind: you may have different food and drink needs during prolonged, intense exercise. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need special sports bars or gels.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Read the ingredients list to see whether the product contains cocoa. Then look for an explicit Fairtrade claim for the cocoa; another certification is not the same thing. | I want to know whether the cocoa in my chocolate choice is actually labelled as Fairtrade, even if that means choosing something other than aniseed sprinkles. For around 42% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
| Timing and portion size | Choose a portion to suit when you’ll be exercising. If you’re having a snack, compare the nutritional information per portion, including fat and carbohydrates. | If I’m about to set off, I only want to eat something if I feel I need it, and I don’t want a large portion just before my workout. For around 33% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for each variety, paying particular attention to wheat and milk if you need to avoid them. | I need to be able to check before buying whether a particular variety contains ingredients I avoid. Around 25% of consumers give this check the highest priority. |
The De Ruijter Muisjes varieties reviewed are sugar-coated aniseed. Without cocoa in the ingredients, they aren’t a suitable choice if you’re looking for Fairtrade cocoa.
First check whether cocoa is listed in the ingredients, then check whether the Fairtrade claim applies to that ingredient.
A mention of UTZ-certified cocoa doesn’t mean a product is also labelled as Fairtrade. This distinction matters if Fairtrade is a condition of your purchase.
Base your choice on the Fairtrade claim for the specific product, and treat other certifications separately.
A small amount used as a topping is different from a large portion shortly before exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating a regular meal around two to three hours before exercise.
Check the portion size and nutritional information for your chosen chocolate sprinkles. Only eat something just before setting off if you feel you need it.
The ingredients vary across the products reviewed: Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Blue and White Muisjes, while the Fairtrade Original milk variety contains milk.
Read the label of the exact variety you choose every time you buy it, even if you’ve bought a similar product before.
A good option if you’re looking for traditional aniseed sprinkles to serve on rusks or bread, for example.
A chocolate option to consider if you’d prefer chocolate sprinkles to aniseed sprinkles.
A retailer where you can compare product types and claims across different chocolate products.
A retailer’s own-brand range to consider when comparing products that contain cocoa.
This option is a dark chocolate bar for anyone considering chocolate instead of aniseed sprinkles. Check the current packaging to see whether the Fairtrade claim applies specifically to the cocoa.
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For anyone considering a chocolate bar as an alternative to aniseed sprinkles; this isn’t a chocolate sprinkle product. The product name states Dark 70% and the pack size is 180 g.
Check the current packaging for a cocoa-specific Fairtrade claim. If you’re planning to eat something shortly before exercise, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion.
No. The De Ruijter varieties reviewed are sugar-coated aniseed, and their ingredients don’t include cocoa. They’re therefore not a suitable choice if you’re looking for chocolate made with Fairtrade cocoa. Check the current packaging if you buy a different variety.
Yes, if you’re specifically looking for chocolate with an explicit Fairtrade claim and are happy with a different product type. Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade cocoa and sugar in Fairtrade Original milk chocolate sprinkles. For your chosen portion, also compare the ingredients and nutritional information.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating a regular meal around two to three hours before exercise. If you want to eat something shortly before setting off, consider whether you need it, the portion size and what feels comfortable for you to eat.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need special sports bars, gels or drinks. Whether you want to eat something beforehand also depends on when and what you last ate.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the specific variety. Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Blue and White Muisjes; the Fairtrade Original milk chocolate sprinkles reviewed contain milk.
