A chocolate biscuit is better suited to being a planned snack or treat around marathon training than a go-to fuel during a long run. Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of carbohydrates and fluids during prolonged exercise. Large portions and foods high in fat or fibre may be less comfortable just before a run. So choose based on when you plan to eat it, the nutritional value per portion and what you can tolerate during training.
When preparing for a marathon, the length of your training session, carbohydrates, fluids and personal tolerance matter more than chocolate flavour. Voedingscentrum discusses these factors in its guidance on nutrition for endurance sports.
A pre-selected portion can be handy for a break or an easy training session. Compare the carbohydrates, fat and fibre per portion, and check that the packaging suits the way you plan to use it.
A box of chocolate biscuits could be just right for a visit or to mark a training milestone. Consider the flavour, portions and allergen information, without treating the box as an essential part of marathon nutrition.
First decide whether you’re looking for something to have on a long run, a snack for when you’re not running, or a gift. When you plan to eat it will determine which details on the packaging matter most to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates and fluids | Check the carbohydrates per portion and plan separately what you’ll drink during a long training session. | If my run is long, I want to plan my food and drink in advance rather than rely on a box of biscuits. For around 50% of consumers, planning their fuel comes first. |
| Portion and timing | Compare portion size, fat and fibre; try a new snack at a regular training session first. | Before an intensive run, I want to know whether I can comfortably tolerate the portion I’ve chosen. Stomach comfort and timing are the main concerns for around 30% of consumers. |
| Snack or gift | Check the portions, packaging, nutritional information and allergens on the current label. | For a break, I’m looking for something I can take with me, while for sharing I’m more concerned with the packaging and who I’m giving it to. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this practical or social purpose. |
A biscuit can provide carbohydrates, but the amount per portion varies and it doesn’t replace fluids. Voedingscentrum discusses carbohydrates and fluids separately when it comes to prolonged exercise.
Plan your running time, food and drink first. Then check the label to see whether a portion of biscuits fits into that plan.
According to Voedingscentrum, large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre may cause stomach discomfort if eaten just before exercise.
Try your chosen portion and timing during a regular training session first, rather than for the first time on a long run.
Ingredients vary between products and can change. If you need to avoid an ingredient, the information for the specific product is what matters.
Before buying or eating it, check the current label, including the ingredients and allergens.
A product name or mention of cereals doesn’t tell you how well you’ll tolerate a portion just before an intensive run. For this kind of timing, Voedingscentrum also highlights the amount of fat and fibre.
Compare the nutritional information per portion and test the timing during training.
Verkade offers both biscuits and chocolate products. Its Maria biscuit is a useful point of comparison for a biscuit without a chocolate coating, but not for all the brand’s chocolate varieties.
The range includes a cereal biscuit with chocolate for anyone looking for a snack in pre-portioned packs.
Jumbo sells, among other things, a classic chocolate biscuit and a digestive biscuit with dark chocolate.
Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Belgian Chocolate is a chocolate version of speculoos, so it isn’t directly comparable with a regular chocolate biscuit.
These biscuits are suited to a planned snack or treat around marathon training. If you’re planning your food for a long run, don’t choose on chocolate flavour alone: compare the nutritional value per portion, when you’ll eat it and your hydration plan.
No image available
A chocolate biscuit for anyone looking for a snack in a handy, portion-sized pack. Check the carbohydrates, fat and allergens on the current label before deciding when to eat it.
No image available
A milk chocolate biscuit for a planned snack. If you want to keep track of your carbohydrate intake, use the nutritional information for the portion you eat, and check the allergens on the packaging.
No image available
This chocolate and vanilla variety is suited to a snack outside your most demanding running sessions. Compare the fat and carbohydrates per portion on the label, and try a new snack timing during training first.
No image available
A chocolate cereal biscuit to consider as a snack, rather than choosing it solely because it contains cereals. If you plan to eat it close to a run, check the portion size, fat and fibre on the label.
No image available
A chocolate biscuit stick for a break or a treat. Use the packaging to gauge how much you’ll eat, and check the nutritional information and allergens for this variety.
They’re not an obvious go-to choice. Voedingscentrum highlights carbohydrates and fluids as things to consider during prolonged exercise; a chocolate biscuit doesn’t replace fluids. Check the carbohydrates per portion and try your choice during a regular training session first.
That depends on the portion, the timing and what you can tolerate. Voedingscentrum advises against having a large portion or foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise, as they may cause stomach discomfort. So don’t try a biscuit for the first time just before a long run.
A chocolate biscuit isn’t automatically a complete post-training option. Voedingscentrum recommends foods that contain both carbohydrates and protein. Consider what else you eat and drink, rather than focusing on the biscuit alone.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety on the current label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information, so don’t rely on the brand name or the ingredients of a different biscuit.
