Who should consider this?

Runners looking for a sweet snack around a long training session

You’re considering an egg cake with chocolate, cocoa or a milk coating, but want to time your snack and choose a portion that works for your training.

Runners who want to eat something shortly before a run

You’re comparing a richer variety with a plain egg cake, and considering its fat content and how well it sits with you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises limiting foods high in fat just before exercise.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

You’re buying for yourself or someone else and need to read the ingredients and any precautionary allergen warnings on the specific pack. The varieties discussed include egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide when you want to eat the egg cake. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety. If you need to avoid allergens, always check the label on the pack you’re buying.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Timing and portion size Adjust your portion to the time before your run, and try a new product during a regular training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or a product high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise. If I want to eat something shortly before a long run, I want to know whether the timing and portion feel right for me. Timing would be the main consideration for around 42% of consumers.
Nutritional value Compare carbohydrates, sugars and fat per 100 g, then check the actual weight of each cake. The plain and richer varieties discussed differ mainly in their fat content. When I’m choosing between a plain egg cake and a cocoa or milk-coated variety, I want to compare their nutritional information on the same basis. Nutritional value would come first for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current pack to see which allergens are present and whether it warns that the product may contain other allergens. If I need to avoid an allergen, the information must apply to the exact pack I’m buying. Checking the label would be the main concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all egg cakes are the same snack

    A coating, decoration or filling changes what you’re comparing. Albert Heijn’s product information lists 3.7 g of fat per 100 g for plain AH Eierkoeken. The Jumbo variety with chocolate in the product information reviewed lists 10.5 g, Bolletje with a milk coating lists 12 g, and Gulden Krakeling with cocoa decoration and cream filling lists 15 g per 100 g.

    Compare the nutritional information for the exact varieties per 100 g, then use the weight of each cake to assess your portion.

  • Trying a richer variety for the first time just before an important run

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that a large portion and foods high in fat, protein or fibre can cause stomach problems just before exercise. A product’s name won’t tell you how a portion will sit with you.

    Try a new egg cake and your chosen mealtime during a regular training session, rather than for the first time on race day.

  • Mistaking a milk coating for a chocolate coating

    According to the product description, Bolletje Brosse Eierkoeken met Melklaagje have a milk coating; that doesn’t automatically make them chocolate-coated egg cakes. Older product information also doesn’t tell you which variety is currently available to buy.

    Read the full product description and ingredients for the item you choose, and check its current availability.

  • Assuming allergens based on the product category

    The products discussed have different ingredients and precautionary warnings about possible traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.

    Check the physical pack every time you buy, looking for allergens relevant to you and any warnings that the product may contain other allergens.

Relevant brands and varieties

The products below show why a plain egg cake, a cocoa variety and an egg cake with a milk coating are not necessarily interchangeable.

Jumbo

Jumbo Eierkoeken met Chocolade was a variety decorated with cocoa-based confectionery. The pack described contained 8 pieces and weighed 310 g.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists 62.8 g of carbohydrates and 10.5 g of fat per 100 g.
  • The product page lists egg, gluten, milk, soya and wheat as allergens, and stated that the item was no longer part of its online range. Check current availability and the pack.

Bolletje

According to the product description, Bolletje Brosse Eierkoeken met Melklaagje are individually wrapped. A milk coating is not confirmed to be a chocolate coating.

  • The variety described lists 62 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat per 100 g. The individually wrapped format may be useful if you want to take a cake with you.
  • It contains milk, lactose, egg, soya and wheat, among other ingredients, and may contain traces of nuts and sesame. Check the current label.

Gulden Krakeling

According to the product description, Gulden Krakeling Choco gevulde eierkoeken have cocoa-based confectionery and a cream filling, rather than just an outer coating.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information lists 64 g of carbohydrates, including 41 g of sugars, and 15 g of fat per 100 g.
  • The product information lists wheat, cereals containing gluten, egg and soya; it may also contain milk. Check how and where the exact item is currently available.

Albert Heijn

Plain AH Eierkoeken offer a comparison within the same cake category, but they are not a chocolate variety.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information lists 61 g of carbohydrates and 3.7 g of fat per 100 g for these plain egg cakes.
  • The variety described contains egg, milk, cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat, among other ingredients. Albert Heijn warns that product information can change, so check the pack.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat a chocolate egg cake just before a long run?

It depends on the portion, when you eat it and how well it sits with you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion just before exercise, and recommends avoiding products high in fat, protein or fibre. So try a new variety during a regular training session.

Is a chocolate egg cake designed to be eaten during a marathon?

A chocolate egg cake isn’t automatically suitable for eating while running. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests sports bars and sports gels as options for prolonged, intense exercise. Try anything you plan to eat during a run on training days first.

Why compare egg cakes per 100 g rather than per piece?

Comparing products per 100 g gives you a consistent basis, even when the cakes are different sizes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using the nutrition table for this comparison. Then check the weight of each cake to assess the nutritional value of your portion.

Where can I check the allergens in an egg cake?

Check the label on the specific pack, even if you’ve already read the online product page. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Also look for warnings that other allergens may be present.

Is an online product page enough to check ingredients and nutritional information?

Use an online product page to shortlist varieties, but check the current pack before eating the product. Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.