People who feel hungry shortly before a workout
You’re looking for something small and want to consider what you find comfortable to eat before exercising.
Who is this choice for?
People buying a chocolate gift
You’re looking for a box to give as a gift or share, without confusing its suitability as a present with its suitability as a snack just before a workout.
Shoppers comparing labels
You want to check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for your chosen biscuits or chocolate assortment before buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need something for just before exercise, for a longer workout or as a gift. Then compare the portion size and label of the product you actually plan to buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Timing and portion size | Check the portion size and nutritional information for the specific product. | If my workout is about to start, I want to satisfy my hunger without eating a large portion straight away. For around 36% of consumers, a small, easy-to-tolerate choice comes first. |
| Longer workouts | Consider the duration and intensity of your workout; if needed, check the carbohydrates per portion and what you can take with you to eat and drink. | For a long, intense workout, I want to plan what I’ll eat and drink along the way. Around 29% of consumers give this top priority. |
| Everyday snack | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and, if listed, per portion. | For an everyday snack, I want to know how much I’m taking from a pack, regardless of how it looks. That’s the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Gift or sharing | Check the number of pieces, the ingredients in the assortment and the allergens listed on the packaging. | If I’m giving or sharing chocolate, what’s inside and the recipients’ preferences matter more than when I’m exercising. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating a box of chocolates as sports nutrition
A box intended as a gift or for sharing isn’t automatically the right choice during a workout. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most people who exercise don’t need specialist sports bars, gels or drinks.
Choose the box if your aim is to give a gift or share it. Separately, decide whether you want to eat anything before your workout, and how much.
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Eating a large portion just before exercising
The closer you are to your workout, the more important it is to consider how much you feel comfortable eating.
Ideally, plan a meal earlier: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating around 2 to 3 hours before exercise. If you get hungry later, keep the portion small and choose something you know.
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Relying only on online product information
Ingredients and allergen information can change, and a chocolate assortment may contain different fillings.
Read the latest packaging before eating, especially if you need to check the ingredients because of an allergy.
Brands and shops to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crisp biscuit with a caramelised flavour.
- Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a Biscoff biscuit.
- The product name doesn’t tell you what portion you’ll find comfortable just before exercise, so check the packaging.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has a product page for AH Plain Oat Biscuits, among other products.
- A specific biscuit product whose details you can compare.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging before eating, as product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo has a chocolate gift category for anyone looking for a box to give or share.
- The merci gift box shown by Jumbo is described as containing individually wrapped chocolates.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the box you choose; these vary by product.
Lidl
Lidl features Way To Go chocolate bars as part of its chocolate range.
- Worth considering if you want to compare chocolate bars with gift boxes.
- A chocolate bar and a box of chocolates won’t necessarily serve the same gifting or sharing purpose.
ALDI / Choceur
ALDI features a Choceur chocolate assortment and also presents a merci box as a gift.
- Gives you different types of chocolate to consider for a gift or sharing occasion.
- Check what’s inside each pack before choosing a bar, pralines or a gift box.
Biscuits and chocolate at Joybuy
These products suit two different needs: chocolate to give as a gift or share, and biscuits for anyone looking for a small snack. If you’re choosing a snack just before exercise, consider the portion size, what you can tolerate and the latest product label.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A box of chocolates for giving or sharing, rather than an automatic choice as a snack just before a workout. Check the ingredients and allergens on the latest packaging.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate assortment for anyone who wants to give or share a treat. If you have allergies, check the ingredients on the latest packaging. For your own portion, refer to the nutritional information on the label.
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LIGA Oat Kick Grains Apple, 200 g
A biscuit option if you’re looking for a small snack shortly before exercise. Check what one portion contains and read the latest ingredients and allergen information.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas Cookies, 8 pieces, 200 g
Speculaas biscuits for anyone looking for a snack they can portion out or share. The pack contains 8 biscuits; compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the amount you plan to eat.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie, 250 g
A speculoos biscuit for anyone who wants to choose a small portion. Decide how much to have before your workout, and check the nutritional information and allergens on the latest packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat chocolate from a gift box just before exercising?
A small amount may be an option if you know you can tolerate it comfortably, but gift packaging doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for your workout. Check the portion size and label; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a regular meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise.
Do I need specialist sports nutrition for a short workout?
Most people who exercise don’t: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sports bars, gels and drinks are generally unnecessary. Decide what you want to eat beforehand based on your usual diet, how long it is until your workout and what you find comfortable to eat.
How can I check the allergens in a chocolate assortment?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging for the box you’ve chosen. Different fillings may contain different ingredients; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on food labels.
How should I store biscuits and chocolate after buying them?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for the specific product. The advice on a pack of biscuits may differ from that on a chocolate gift box.