Choose a canoe biscuit as a snack to take with you only if the specific packaging says that each biscuit is individually wrapped. Eat one before or after a training session at a time that works for you. If you’re taking on carbohydrates during a long, intense run, it also matters whether you can comfortably eat the product on the go. A mention of five or six portions doesn’t tell you whether the biscuits are individually wrapped.
Want to pop a biscuit in your sports bag without taking an opened multipack with you? Check that the pack explicitly says the canoe biscuits are individually wrapped. A stated number of biscuits or portions doesn’t confirm this.
Having a canoe biscuit just before you set off is different from having a snack afterwards. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion or foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise if you want to avoid stomach problems.
For a long, intense training session, it’s worth distinguishing between a snack before or after your run and carbohydrates you have while running. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that carbohydrates on the go may be relevant if you exercise intensely for more than an hour and sweat a lot.
First, decide when you want to eat the canoe biscuit. Then check the packaging for the specific variety you’ve chosen and compare the nutritional information per portion with what you need for your training session.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Individually wrapped | Look for ‘individually wrapped’ on the specific packaging. The number of portions isn’t proof that each biscuit has its own wrapper. | I want to take one canoe biscuit with me without opening the rest of the pack. For around 31% of consumers, being able to take one separately is the top priority. |
| Stomach comfort and timing | Check the portion size and fat content; try eating it at your chosen time during a regular training session first. | I don’t want to eat a large portion just before a run that might feel heavy in my stomach. Around 25% of consumers put stomach comfort first. |
| Carbohydrates during your run | Compare the carbohydrates per portion and consider whether you can eat and tolerate your chosen food on the go. | I want to be able to plan my carbohydrate intake during a long, intense run. For around 25% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label, including the allergen information and any warnings about possible traces. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in this variety before eating it. This check is the main priority for around 19% of consumers. |
Jumbo lists five portions for its butter canoe biscuits, while Albert Heijn lists six for its AH variety. Those numbers don’t tell you whether each biscuit has its own wrapper.
If you specifically want individually wrapped canoe biscuits to take with you, check that this is stated on the pack for the exact variety.
The butter canoe biscuits listed contain both carbohydrates and fat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that a large portion or food high in fat just before exercise can feel uncomfortable in your stomach. What works before or after your run may not be practical while you’re running.
Try the timing and portion during a regular training session first. For food during a long run, choose something you can carry and tolerate comfortably on the go.
Ingredients and warnings can vary between varieties. Jumbo and Albert Heijn’s product information lists allergens that may be relevant when choosing a canoe biscuit.
Read the current label on the canoe biscuits you’re buying, even if you’ve eaten the same product before.
Jumbo lists its Jumbo butter canoe biscuits in a 275 g pack, with five portions of 55 g.
Albert Heijn lists its AH butter canoe biscuits in a 270 g pack, with six portions of 45 g.
Dirk lists Aviateur canoe biscuits in a pack of five. Real Dutch Food describes one Aviateur variety as wrapped in foil.
Verkade offers biscuits and cookies that you could consider as a different snack option.
You can’t tell from the number of biscuits in the pack. The portion counts listed by Jumbo and Albert Heijn don’t confirm that the biscuits have individual wrappers. For this, look for an explicit statement on the pack for the variety you’ve chosen.
Choose a time and portion that you’ve tried during training. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion just before exercise, and recommends avoiding foods high in fat, protein or fibre if you want to avoid stomach problems.
No, you don’t need them for every session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that carbohydrates may be relevant during prolonged, intense exercise lasting more than an hour, when you’re sweating a lot. For food on the go, choose something you can tolerate comfortably while running.
Read the allergen information for the exact variety on the current label. Jumbo and Albert Heijn’s product information lists, among other things, wheat or other gluten-containing cereals, milk, soya and almond. Ingredients and warnings can vary between varieties.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. For the canoe biscuit varieties mentioned, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed tin after opening. This doesn’t make the remaining biscuits individually wrapped for taking on the go.
