Anyone who already has a protein source
If you have quark, yoghurt or another protein source ready for after your workout, you could add flakes for a chocolatey flavour. De Ruijter suggests using its chocolate flakes with quark and yoghurt.
Who is each option suitable for?
Anyone who wants to take a single snack on the go
If you want to grab something from your bag straight after training, pay attention to the product format. The flakes on the Jumbo, PLUS, Lidl and ALDI product pages come in 200 g, 240 g or 300 g packs as bread toppings, not ready-to-eat bars.
Chocolate lovers who like to choose their own portion
If you want to add a small amount of chocolate, compare the sugar and nutritional values per 100 g, and decide how much you’ll actually use. Also check the allergens for the variant you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to put together a snack that includes a protein source, or whether you’d prefer a bar that needs no preparation. Then assess flakes based on portion size and nutritional information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein source | Check the nutritional values per portion and consider what else will make up your snack. | After an intense workout, I want my snack to include a protein source rather than relying on flakes alone. For around 42% of consumers, protein would be their main consideration. |
| Portion size and sugars | Compare the sugars per 100 g and decide how many flakes to use as a topping. | I want to add a chocolate flavour but decide for myself how many flakes to have. Portion size would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Convenience on the go | Check the product format and whether you’ll need to take a container or other food with you. | If I want to eat something straight after the gym, I don’t want to portion out a topping first. Convenience on the go would be the main reason for choosing a product for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of chocolate flakes as a single bar
The flakes on the Jumbo, PLUS, Lidl and ALDI product pages are intended as bread toppings and come in packs ranging from 200 g to 300 g. That doesn’t give you a ready-to-eat snack for your bag.
If you want to take a single bar with you without any preparation, look in that product category and check the packaging and nutritional information for the bar you choose.
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Judging dark flakes by the product name alone
According to the PLUS product page, its dark chocolate flakes contain 63.8 g of sugars and 5.2 g of protein per 100 g; they may contain milk and lactose. So the word ‘dark’ doesn’t give you all the information you need to make your choice.
Compare the nutritional information and read the allergen details on the current label for the variant you’re buying.
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Treating a whole pack as one snack portion
A 200 g, 240 g or 300 g box of flakes isn’t a pre-measured portion. The amount you add will also affect the nutritional value of your snack.
Decide how much topping you’ll use in advance, then use the information per 100 g or per portion on the packaging to assess that amount.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Chocolate flakes sold for use as a bread topping and as a topping for quark, yoghurt or porridge.
- The Jumbo and PLUS product pages list several varieties, including white, milk and extra-dark flakes.
- The packs reviewed contain 200 g or 240 g. Check the allergens for each variety: the extra-dark flakes contain soya and may contain milk.
PLUS
The own-brand range includes dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
- According to the PLUS product page, these flakes contain 63.8 g of sugars, 5.2 g of protein and 6.5 g of fibre per 100 g, so you can assess the nutritional values for the portion you choose.
- The same product page says the flakes may contain milk and lactose. The 300 g pack isn’t a pre-measured snack portion.
Kiekeboe
ALDI sells Kiekeboe chocolate flakes as a bread topping in milk or dark chocolate varieties, in 300 g packs.
- The ALDI product page lists both flavours and the pack size.
- If you want to compare the varieties’ nutritional values or allergens, read the label on the pack you choose.
A bar as an alternative
If you’d rather have a bar than flakes as a post-workout snack, this bundle of five bars offers a different product format. Check whether you can take the bars with you individually.
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Nutramino & Optimum Nutrition Protein Bar Variety Bundle, 5 bars
A bundle for anyone who’d prefer a bar rather than chocolate flakes after a workout. If you want to take one with you, check whether each bar is individually wrapped, and read the nutritional information and allergen details for each variety.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate flakes suitable as a snack on their own after intense exercise?
Don’t rely on a small portion of chocolate flakes if you’re mainly looking for a protein source. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that getting enough protein after intense exercise is important. If you like, use flakes as a topping for something like quark or yoghurt, or have a regular meal that includes a protein source.
Do I always need a protein bar after recreational exercise?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most recreational exercisers don’t need a specialist protein bar if they eat a varied diet. Consider your diet as a whole rather than automatically choosing a bar as an extra.
Can I put chocolate flakes in my gym bag as a snack on their own?
The flakes on the Jumbo, PLUS, Lidl and ALDI product pages reviewed aren’t ready-to-eat bars. They’re bread toppings in 200 g, 240 g or 300 g packs. If you want to take them with you, you’ll need to portion them into a suitable container yourself. If you want a bar without that preparation, choose a different product format.
Where can I check the allergens in chocolate flakes?
Read the current label for the variety you want to buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods. Don’t rely only on the word ‘dark’ or on an older pack.