When marathon training, use chocolate flakes as a small topping on a regular meal, not as a replacement for a planned breakfast or for food and drink during a long session. Before a run, focus on the time between eating and training; for a large family or event, also consider how much you need per pack and the allergens listed on the label. A larger consumer pack is not automatically a catering pack, either.
You want to use flakes as a topping for bread, yoghurt or porridge, and you’re paying attention to the time between breakfast and training. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large meal just before exercise.
You need flakes for several people and want to know how many packs to buy, how to store them and whether the packaging is suitable for repeated use.
Before buying or serving, you want to check which allergens are listed for a particular variety. The ingredients and warnings for milk and dark chocolate flakes may differ.
First decide when the flakes will be eaten. Then work out the quantity based on the number of people and check the label for the variety you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Timing around training | Check the nutritional information per 100 g and choose a portion that fits into your breakfast as a whole. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large meal just before exercise. | If I’m going running soon after breakfast, I want to allow enough time between eating and training. For around 43% of consumers, timing is the top priority. |
| Quantity for several people | Compare the net weight, work out how many packs you need, and check the best-before date and storage options. | For a regular family breakfast or an event, I want to buy enough without opening more packs than necessary. For around 29% of consumers, the quantity needed is the main consideration. |
| Allergens and variety | Check the ingredients, allergen information and any warning about possible traces on the current packaging. | When others are eating too, I want to know whether this particular milk, dark or mixed variety is suitable for them. For around 28% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
A topping is no substitute for a regular meal or a plan for food and drink during a long session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also highlights the timing and make-up of meals around exercise.
Use flakes as part of a meal and try out the timing of that breakfast during training, rather than for the first time on race day.
The net weight tells you how many flakes you’re buying, but not whether a pack is intended for serving a large group.
Work out how much you need for everyone and check in advance how many packs you can get and store.
Several smaller packs also take up more storage space and require more unpacking.
The De Ruijter milk flakes described by PLUS list milk, lactose and soya. The Royaal dark variety described by Jumbo lists soya and may contain milk, so ‘dark’ is no substitute for checking the label.
Check each current label individually. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must also be provided to consumers for non-prepacked foods.
For anyone looking to compare different types of chocolate flakes and pack sizes.
Albert Heijn’s own brand, with mixed, milk and dark chocolate flakes in 300 g packs in its range overview.
ALDI lists Kiekeboe milk and dark chocolate flakes in 300 g packs.
These Joybuy products are sweet toppings for breakfast or regular household use. The selection includes chocolate flakes, chocolate chunks and chocolate sprinkles. Note that these are different types of product, even when the pack weights are similar.
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A pack of chocolate chunks for anyone who regularly uses a breakfast topping. Factor the 390 g pack into your calculations when planning how much you need; chocolate chunks are not the same product as chocolate flakes.
Before serving, check the nutritional information and allergens on the current packaging.
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For anyone looking for a dark chocolate topping and planning several breakfasts with a 390 g pack. If you’re having it before training, also consider the portion size and how long you have before setting off.
Don’t assume a product is allergen-free because it says ‘dark’; check the current label.
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Milk chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack for breakfast. Compare the net weight with the number of people eating, and check the nutritional information per 100 g if you’re including a portion as part of a meal.
If anyone has allergies, check the current packaging before serving the flakes.
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The 600 g pack may suit regular use by several people. These are chocolate sprinkles with smiley faces, not chocolate flakes, so only choose this variety if that’s the topping you want.
A large net weight doesn’t automatically make a pack suitable for catering. If you’re having breakfast before a run, check the full nutritional information on the label.
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A 200 g pack for anyone looking to buy a smaller quantity of topping. For breakfast with several people, work out how many packs you’ll need rather than looking only at the size of one pack.
Use the topping as part of a meal and check the current ingredients and allergen information.
No. Think of chocolate flakes as a topping for a meal, not as a standalone plan for food and drink during a long run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights that carbohydrate needs may increase during many endurance activities; plan your meals and what you have on the go separately to suit your training.
A small portion as part of a familiar breakfast may be suitable, but it’s best to avoid a large meal just before exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises caution with foods that are high in fat; try out the timing of your breakfast during a regular training session.
Choose the pack size based on the number of people and how much you expect to use. The products shown here range from 200 g to 600 g; before an event, check how many packs you’ll need, how long they’ll keep and where you’ll store them. A 600 g pack isn’t automatically a catering pack.
Check the allergen information for every product you serve and make sure guests can access it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that for non-prepacked foods, including catering, allergen information must be given to consumers in a way other than on packaging.
Not necessarily: the De Ruijter milk flakes described by PLUS list milk, lactose and soya, while the De Ruijter Royaal dark variety described by Jumbo lists soya and may contain milk. Always check the label for the exact variety you’re buying.
