If you want to take a set portion with you
If you don’t want a half-open multipack in your gym bag, check the weight of each biscuit or look for individually wrapped portions. Also check the nutritional information per portion.
Who is this relevant to?
If you want to eat something shortly before a workout
Pay particular attention to portion size and timing. The Voedingscentrum advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise, as they can stay in your stomach for longer.
If you need to check allergens
Read the ingredients and any warnings on the exact packaging. The varieties we looked at include ingredients such as wheat, milk and soya; allergens vary from product to product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a treat to take with you, something to eat shortly before exercising or a meal after your workout. Then compare the actual portion size and the label on the product you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taking them with you and portioning | Check the number of biscuits, the weight of each one and whether they’re individually wrapped. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the portion you’ll eat. | I want to take something sweet with me without having an open pack or an unclear amount in my bag. For around 36% of consumers, a portion that’s easy to carry and clearly defined comes first. |
| When to eat before a workout | Think about how soon before exercising you’ll eat. Even with a small portion, check the fat, protein and fibre content. The Voedingscentrum advises against large portions and foods high in these nutrients shortly before exercise. | If I get hungry shortly before my workout, I don’t want to eat a large snack that stays in my stomach for a long time. Around 29% of consumers prioritise timing and stomach comfort. |
| Treat or meal | Check the nutritional information per portion and decide whether you’ll also be eating a proper meal. Don’t judge a biscuit by its sporty-looking packaging. | After exercising, I’m looking for food that fits into a meal, not just a biscuit that quickly disappears into my bag. The nutritional role is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the exact packaging. | I can only choose once I know which allergens are listed for this variety. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of a chocolate biscuit as a post-workout meal
A biscuit can be a treat, but it doesn’t automatically replace a meal after exercise. The Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of getting enough protein as part of your overall diet when you exercise.
Decide whether you need a snack or a meal, and plan the rest of what you eat accordingly.
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Eating a large portion just before a workout
According to the Voedingscentrum, large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre can stay in your stomach for longer if eaten shortly before exercise.
Keep snacks small if you’re eating shortly before a workout, and have a proper meal earlier if that suits your schedule better.
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Only looking at the front of the pack
A picture or product name doesn’t tell you how much you’ll actually eat. According to the Voedingscentrum, the ingredients and nutritional values are listed on the back of the packaging.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the amount you’ll take with you and eat.
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Skipping an allergen warning
Ingredients and warnings can vary between varieties. Chocolate biscuits can contain ingredients such as wheat, milk and soya; some of the packs we looked at also mention the possible presence of nuts.
Check the label on the exact variety every time you buy it, including any warning such as ‘may contain nuts’.
Brands to consider
Verkade
The XXL Choco Biscuit with caramel-flavoured filling is a biscuit bar with a caramel-flavoured filling and milk chocolate.
- Worth considering if you’re looking for a larger sweet treat.
- Verkade lists 526 kcal, 28,7 g of fat and 50,5 g of sugars per 100 g for this bar. Decide for yourself how much to take with you; these figures don’t apply to other Verkade products.
Lotus
Lotus Speculoos with Chocolate combines speculoos biscuits and chocolate.
- Check how the pack is divided up if you want to take small portions separately.
- Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists 22,0 g of fat and 39,6 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety. If you have an allergy, read the ingredients on the pack you buy.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn is a supermarket own-brand option to explore for chocolate biscuits and chocolate cookies.
- Compare product names and portion sizes for each individual variety.
- The Albert Heijn product page for its 125 g Chocolate Biscuit says ‘Discontinued’. If you choose an alternative, don’t assume it has the same ingredients or nutritional values.
Jumbo
Jumbo Dark Chocolate Biscuits is a pack of 9 biscuits weighing 125 g.
- For this variety, Jumbo lists a biscuit weight of 14 g and 70 kcal per biscuit, making it easy to compare portions.
- The product information lists ingredients including gluten, milk and soya. Check the exact packaging for allergens and warnings.
Lidl
Sondey Choco Biscuits Milk is a 125 g supermarket product.
- A pack to compare with other chocolate biscuits in store.
- Check the current label in store for portion sizes, nutritional information and allergens before choosing.
Aldi
ALDI lists products including CHOCEUR Choco & biscuit and Biscotto Mini biscuits.
- According to ALDI, Biscotto Mini biscuits come in six small packs, which could be handy if you want to take a sealed pack with you.
- For the variety you choose, check the weight per pack, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.
Chocolate snacks for your gym bag
These Joybuy products include cookies, biscuits and a chocolate wafer to consider as sweet snacks. Check how much you’ll actually take with you for each pack; an individually wrapped piece or pack isn’t automatically a suitable snack shortly before a workout or a replacement for a meal.
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Lu Choco Cookies with chocolate and vanilla, 171 g
An option to consider if you want to take cookies with you as a sweet treat. The pack contains 171 g; check the label to see how many cookies make up a portion and which allergens are listed.
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Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate, 10 × 12,5 g
The pack contains ten 12,5 g portions, making it an option to take one piece at a time. Check the nutritional information, ingredients and any allergen warnings on the exact packaging.
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Lu Time Out Cereal Biscuit Chocolate, 171 g
A chocolate biscuit to consider as a snack if you want to decide on your own portion size. The pack weighs 171 g in total; check the label for the amount in each pack and for allergens.
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Bourbon Alfort Mini Stawberry, 12 × 55 g
The 55 g packs are an option if you want to take an individual pack with you. Consider whether that amount suits your eating schedule, especially if you’re eating shortly before a workout, and check the allergens on the label.
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Nestle Kitkat Strawberry Short Cake, 9 pieces, 104,4 g
This is a chocolate wafer, not a standard chocolate biscuit. The pack contains nine pieces, weighing 104,4 g in total; compare the amount per piece and check the ingredients if you want to take it as a snack.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat a chocolate biscuit just before exercising?
A small portion can work as a snack, but timing and ingredients matter. The Voedingscentrum advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise, as they can stay in your stomach for longer.
Can a chocolate biscuit replace a meal after strength training?
No. Don’t assume a chocolate biscuit can replace a meal after exercising. The Voedingscentrum emphasises that getting enough protein as part of your overall diet is important during intense exercise, so consider a biscuit alongside the rest of what you eat.
Which allergens should I check in chocolate biscuits?
Read the ingredients and any warnings for the exact variety. The products we looked at include ingredients such as wheat, milk and soya; eggs or the possible presence of nuts may also be relevant for some products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels.
Is nutritional information on an online shop enough to help me choose?
Use it to compare products before you buy, then check the packaging you receive. Albert Heijn notes in its product information that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change.
How should I store chocolate biscuits in my gym bag?
Follow the storage instructions for the specific product and reseal an opened pack as directed. For its Dark Chocolate Biscuits, Jumbo says to store them in a cool, dry place and to reseal the pack carefully after opening.