People who like to have a little something to eat shortly before training
You want to tailor your snack as a whole to when you plan to exercise. Chocolate sprinkles are a topping, not a meal in their own right.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who want to keep track of portions at the table
You serve chocolate sprinkles to several people, but do not want to put a whole multipack on the table by default. Individual portions or a small amount for topping up are practical options.
Shoppers comparing nutritional information
You want to compare the sugars per 100 g, the amount you use and the ingredients in the variety you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide when you will eat and how much chocolate sprinkles you want to serve. Then compare the nutritional information for the exact variety, and only then decide how you will serve it at the table.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Timing and portion | Choose the size of your snack as a whole based on how long it is until your training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating a meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercising. | If I eat shortly before training, I want to choose a small snack that sits well with me. For around 45% of consumers, the timing of the snack would be the main consideration. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Compare the sugars per 100 g and the amount you use; also read the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety. | When choosing a topping, I want to know what my portion contains and whether the ingredients suit my preferences. Around 33% of consumers would put this comparison first. |
| Serving and storage | Check that a glass jar is suitable for contact with food and seals well. Try the amount you want to store in the jar to see if it is suitable; do not work out its capacity in ml from the pack weight. | If several people are helping themselves at the table, I want to keep track of portions without putting the whole supply out. This would be the main concern for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a jar size based on the pack weight
The weight of chocolate sprinkles in grams and a jar’s capacity in millilitres are different measurements. A 390 g or 600 g pack does not, by itself, tell you what capacity jar you need.
First try transferring the amount you want to store into an existing food-safe jar, or check the jar’s usable capacity before you buy it.
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Thinking of chocolate sprinkles as a complete pre-workout snack
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s nutritional information, an average 15 g portion of chocolate sprinkles provides, among other things, carbohydrates and sugars. That does not tell you what your snack as a whole contains.
Use chocolate sprinkles as a topping, and consider the total amount you eat and how long it is until your training session.
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Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘less sugar’ tells you everything about the product
The name does not tell you which allergens are listed for the variety you have chosen. Sugar levels also vary from product to product.
Read the current label on the exact pack, including the nutritional information per 100 g, ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements.
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Throwing away the packaging without labelling the jar
Once you have transferred the contents, it can be harder to find the use-by date and product information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises using storage containers with a tight-fitting, undamaged lid.
Keep the label or write the product name, relevant allergens and use-by date on the jar.
Brands compared
De Ruijter
Albert Heijn’s product information lists a range of pack sizes: 390 g of dark chocolate sprinkles, a 200 g extra-dark variety and Kleintjes in individual 15 g and 20 g portions.
- The individual portions are an alternative to serving from a shared jar.
- The 390 g dark variety mentioned lists 64 g of sugars per 100 g; compare the nutritional values for each variety and decide on your own portion size.
Venz
As well as chocolate sprinkles, there is the Rimboe Beer variety, with milk and vanilla flavours.
- The mix offers a different flavour for anyone who likes a change at the table.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, this particular variety lists 77 g of sugars per 100 g. Do not apply this figure to other Venz products.
Albert Heijn
The own-label range includes a variety called AH Hagelslag puur minder suiker, sold in a 250 g pack.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.
- The same product information lists milk and lactose; check the pack you choose if these ingredients are relevant to you.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists an own-label dark chocolate sprinkles variety in a 600 g pack.
- The pack weight is worth considering if you are looking for a larger supply to top up your jar.
- A larger pack does not determine how much you use per snack or what size glass jar you need.
Lidl / Mister Choc
Lidl lists Mister Choc Hagelslag puur as an option to consider when choosing dark chocolate sprinkles.
- Read the nutritional information and pack weight for the pack you choose before comparing it with other varieties.
ALDI / Kiekeboe
ALDI lists Kiekeboe Hagelslag puur in a 600 g pack.
- The weight makes this pack a useful option if you want to top up with a larger amount.
- Check the label for nutritional values and allergens; the pack weight does not tell you this information.
Chocolate sprinkles for this table setting
These packs of chocolate sprinkles offer different quantities to serve as a topping or use to top up a jar. Decide on the portion separately, and try out the amount you want to transfer before choosing a jar size.
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De Ruijter Intense Dark chocolate sprinkles, 200 g
A 200 g pack, so you can measure out or top up with a smaller amount of topping.
The product information for this extra-dark variety lists 43 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the label for the ingredients and decide on the amount for each snack separately.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys, 600 g
A 600 g pack for anyone looking to use a larger supply of milk chocolate sprinkles as a topping.
Measure out the amount you want for each snack separately. First try out how much you want to store before choosing a glass jar.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
A 390 g pack for anyone who wants to serve dark chocolate sprinkles as a topping and measure out their own portions.
Albert Heijn’s product information lists 64 g of sugars per 100 g for this dark variety. If you transfer the contents, keep the label information and use-by date to hand.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate sprinkles a snack before exercise on their own?
Chocolate sprinkles work better as a topping than as a complete snack. For an average 15 g portion, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 10.4 g of carbohydrates, among other things. So consider what else you are eating and when you plan to exercise.
What if I want to eat something shortly before training?
Consider the size of the snack as a whole and what you find comfortable to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating a meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercising; this advice does not specify a set portion size for a snack just before training.
What sort of glass jar can I use for chocolate sprinkles?
Choose a jar that is suitable for contact with food, undamaged and seals well. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises using storage containers with a tight-fitting, undamaged lid. Try the amount you want to transfer in the jar to check that it is big enough.
What should I do with the label when I transfer chocolate sprinkles?
Keep the label or write the product name, relevant allergens and use-by date on the jar. That way, the information stays with the chocolate sprinkles when you are no longer using the original packaging.