Home trainers who use flakes as a topping
You want to sprinkle chocolate flakes over bread, yoghurt or porridge on a training day. A standard packet suits this use; a squeeze bottle won’t turn dry flakes into a liquid product.
Who is this choice for?
Runners doing long, intensive training sessions
You’re looking for something you can carry and use while running. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists sports drinks, bars and gels as possible options for prolonged, intensive exercise; loose flakes are a different type of product.
Shoppers who need to check the ingredients
You want to know which ingredients and allergens are in the exact variety you’re buying. Check the current label, even if a name such as ‘dark’ or a claim on the front seems to tell you something about the product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want flakes to have with a meal or are looking for nutrition to take with you. Then compare the packaging and nutritional information for the flakes you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinkling and storage | Does a standard packet suit your needs as a topping? Read the storage instructions on the label. | If I sprinkle flakes over breakfast at home, I want them to be easy to portion and store. Around 36% of consumers prioritise using them as a dry topping. |
| Nutrition on the go | Consider the duration and intensity of your run, and whether the product format you choose is practical to use on the go. | On a long, intensive run, I want something I can carry and use without handling loose flakes. Portability is the top concern for around 46% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g and, where shown, per serving. | When I choose a specific variety, I need to check whether its ingredients and allergens are suitable for me. This is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming loose flakes are suitable for a squeeze bottle
Chocolate flakes are dry sprinkles. Pouring them into a squeeze bottle won’t make them liquid or provide a practical format to use while running.
Choose flakes as a topping for a meal. If you’re looking for nutrition for a long, intensive run, consider a portable product format separately and try it out during training.
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Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ means ‘allergen-free’
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, its dark chocolate flakes contain milk and lactose. PLUS says that milk and lactose may be present in its variety labelled vegan.
Check the ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces on the label of the variety you buy.
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Comparing a packet as if it were one serving
Albert Heijn lists fifteen 20 g servings in its 300 g packet of dark chocolate flakes. So the packet weight doesn’t tell you how much you’ll use at one sitting.
Check the nutritional values per 100 g and the stated serving size before comparing varieties or quantities.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers milk chocolate flakes and mixed flakes, among other products, as toppings for bread, yoghurt or porridge.
- The 200 g milk chocolate flakes are a specific option for use as a dry topping.
- Check the label of this variety for milk and soya; the flakes aren’t intended as a liquid filling for a squeeze bottle.
Albert Heijn
The supermarket’s own brand offers dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g packet.
- Albert Heijn lists fifteen 20 g servings for this variety, making it easier to compare the quantities used.
- For this variety, ‘dark’ doesn’t mean you can ignore the presence of milk and lactose; check the label.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers 300 g packets of dark and milk chocolate flakes, among other products, as a dry bread topping.
- Jumbo lists fifteen servings per packet for its dark variety.
- The label for this variety says that it may contain milk. The packet is designed for dry storage and sprinkling, not for use as a squeeze bottle.
PLUS
PLUS offers 300 g packets of dark chocolate flakes with a Fairtrade cocoa label.
- The product information lists the ingredients and labels this variety as vegan.
- PLUS also says that this variety may contain milk and lactose; check the allergens on the label.
Kiekeboe
ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk and dark varieties, both in 300 g packets.
- The packets shown clearly distinguish between the milk and dark varieties.
- Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packet of the variety you choose.
Products for use as a dry bread topping
These Joybuy products are flakes or sprinkles to scatter over food at home. Sprinkles are a different type of product from flakes; none of these dry products is presented here as nutrition from a squeeze bottle for use while running.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g
For use as a topping on bread or yoghurt at home. Before buying, check the allergens and storage instructions on the packet you choose.
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Sprinkles Choca Flakes 200 g
A dry topping for bread or yoghurt at home. When comparing nutritional values, check which quantity they refer to on the packet, and check the allergens.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys 600 g
These are sprinkles for bread or decorating food at home, not chocolate flakes. Choose this variety only if sprinkles are the product format you’re looking for, and check the label for allergens.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
For anyone who wants to enjoy dark chocolate bread topping at home and is looking for sprinkles rather than flakes. Check the ingredients and allergens against the label for this variety.
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De Ruijter Milk Chocolate Flakes 200 g
A dry topping for bread, yoghurt or porridge at home. Check the label for ingredients, allergens and the amount you want to use at a time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat chocolate flakes from a squeeze bottle while running?
A squeeze bottle isn’t a suitable way to use loose, dry chocolate flakes as liquid nutrition. If you want to take something with you on a long, intensive training session, look for a portable format designed for that purpose; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists sports drinks, bars and gels as possible options.
When are chocolate flakes suitable around a run?
Use them as a topping with a meal before or after your run, rather than as a snack to eat on the go. For a meal before exercise, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating around two to three hours beforehand; when planning your own routine, consider the amount and what you find comfortable while running.
Do I need a sports gel or sports drink for every training session?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sports bars, gels and drinks aren’t needed for exercise lasting less than an hour. They can be practical for prolonged, intensive exercise; try out your chosen approach during training.
How should I store chocolate flakes after buying them?
Follow the storage instructions on the packet for your variety. Jumbo says to store its dark chocolate flakes in a cool, dry place; also check the packet for the use-by date and any instructions for after opening.
Where can I check for allergens in chocolate flakes?
Read the ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces on the label of the variety you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that legally required allergens must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list; a name such as ‘dark’ doesn’t replace this check.