If you want to eat a chocolate snack straight from your gym bag, look for a small bar or another portion that’s easy to take with you. Chocolate sprinkles are best enjoyed on bread or another base, while a box of chocolates is more suited to a gift or sharing. Before exercising, pay attention to portion size too: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before a workout.
Want something to eat on the go without having to break off a piece of chocolate or pour out some sprinkles first? A small, individually wrapped bar is a good fit. For example, Jumbo says the Kinder Chocolate bars in the pack it reviewed are individually wrapped.
A box of chocolates is a different choice from a snack for one person if you’re looking for a thank-you gift or something to share after exercising. Before giving it, check the contents, allergens and storage instructions for the box you’ve chosen.
If you want to sprinkle chocolate over bread, yoghurt or cereal, sprinkles are a good fit for that occasion. Jumbo describes De Ruijter sprinkles as a sweet bread topping and garnish, rather than a snack in individual packaging.
Choose these: if you want to use chocolate as a topping on bread or other food.
Bear in mind: you’ll also need a base and a securely sealed container if you want to eat them on the go.
Choose these: if you want to take one portion with you without having to divide up a larger bar.
Bear in mind: a small size alone tells you nothing about the nutritional value or whether it’s suitable just before exercise.
Choose these: if you’re mainly looking for a gift or something to share after exercising.
Bear in mind: contents and allergens vary from box to box; protect the packaging while you’re carrying it.
Choose this: if you want to share a bar or break off a piece yourself in advance.
Bear in mind: a large bar won’t automatically give you a snack portion in individual packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taking it with you and portioning | Check the weight per piece and whether the pack you’ve chosen contains individual portions. | If I want one snack to eat on the go, I don’t want to divide up a bar or pour out sprinkles first. For around 50% of consumers, having a portion ready to take with them is the priority. |
| Giving and sharing | Check the contents of each box, the allergen information and the best-before date. | For a thank-you gift or a team get-together, I’m looking for something I can hand over and share, not just a snack for myself. For around 33% of consumers, sharing is the main consideration. |
| Sprinkles as a topping | Think about whether you’ll be using bread, yoghurt or another base, and check the nutritional information per portion. | If I want to sprinkle chocolate over my breakfast at home, a gift box or a bar on its own isn’t much use. Topping is the priority for around 17% of consumers. |
Jumbo describes De Ruijter sprinkles as a bread topping and garnish. Without other food and a sealable container, they’re awkward to eat straight from a gym bag.
Choose sprinkles if you want to add them to something; for a snack on its own, look for packaging you can take a single portion from.
Chocolates in the same box can contain different ingredients. If someone has an allergy, the information on that specific pack is important.
Before buying, read the ingredients and allergen information for the box or variety you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise.
Think about when you plan to eat, and check the portion size and nutritional information for the chocolate you’ve chosen.
A box that gets squashed in your bag is less suitable for giving as a gift later. Storage instructions also depend on the product.
Protect the box from being crushed, and follow the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises for sealed boxes of chocolates.
Chocolate sprinkles for bread and toppings.
Small chocolate bars in a multipack.
Chocolate bars in a pack of six 30 g bars.
ALDI own brand, including mini bars.
Large chocolate bars you can share or portion yourself.
These products are chocolate bars, wafers or sticks to consider as snacks. If you’re buying something for your gym bag, compare the portions and packaging for each product. They’re not a substitute for sprinkles as a topping or a box of chocolates as a gift.
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Consider these chocolate wafers if you’re looking for a snack with a stated number of pieces. Before taking them with you, check whether the pieces are individually wrapped, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
Pack: 9 pieces, 104.4g in total.
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Chocolate sticks are a different kind of snack from sprinkles. If you want to take one measured portion with you, check the number of sticks, the weight per stick and the packaging.
Pack weight: 47g.
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The stated portion size is useful if you want to decide in advance how much to take with you. Check whether the portions are individually wrapped, and, as this is a pistachio variety, read the allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen.
Pack: 10 × 12.5g.
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Mini bars could be a good fit for a snack on the go. Check the current packaging for the number of bars and nutritional value per bar; if you have an allergy, rely only on the allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen.
Pack weight: 227 g.
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The number of wafers is listed, but if you want a snack that doesn’t need dividing up, the individual packaging matters too. Check this before buying, along with the allergens and storage advice.
Pack: 9 pieces.
That’s less practical if you want to eat a snack straight away without any preparation. Jumbo describes the De Ruijter sprinkles it reviewed as a bread topping and garnish; only take them with you if you also have a suitable base and a sealable container.
Pay particular attention to when you plan to eat it, the portion size and the nutritional information for the chocolate you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety you want to buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on the label; if you’re buying a box of assorted chocolates, don’t rely on the name of the box alone.
Follow the storage advice and best-before date on the sealed packaging, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises for chocolates. Also protect the box from being crushed while you’re carrying it, so it’s still in good condition to give as a gift.
