Marathon runner who regularly eats chocolate sprinkles
You’re looking for a sweet bread topping for everyday meals during a training period. It makes sense to choose a pack size that matches how much you’ll actually use.
Who should consider these choices?
Runner who pays attention to meal timing
You don’t want to eat a large or unfamiliar portion just before a run. So, you consider when a bread-based meal fits in and try a new variety during a regular training session first.
Shopper who checks the label
You want to check the sugars, fats, ingredients and allergens in the exact variety. This matters too if milk or soya is a concern for you.
What should you look for in chocolate sprinkles for training?
If you’re considering chocolate sprinkles as a bread topping around marathon training, first choose a pack you’ll use up. Then work out what portion and timing suit your usual meal. Finally, check the nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the net weight of the same type of chocolate sprinkles and consider whether you’ll use the pack before its best-before date. | If I often eat chocolate sprinkles on bread, I don’t want a large pack sitting around. For around 44% of shoppers, using up the pack is the top priority. |
| Portion and timing | Consider whether the chocolate sprinkles will be part of a meal eaten well before your run; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a good meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise. | I don’t want to try a large or unfamiliar portion just before a long run. Around 33% of shoppers prioritise meal timing and sticking to a familiar portion. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Check the ingredients, sugars and fats per 100 g or per portion, as well as the allergens and any warnings on the exact pack. | If certain ingredients aren’t suitable for me, I want to check the variety against its label. For around 23% of shoppers, this check comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Treating chocolate sprinkles as complete training nutrition
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that people training for a marathon may need more carbohydrates, but also describes chocolate sprinkles as high in sugars and saturated fat. Choosing a bread topping doesn’t take care of the rest of your meal or your drinks.
If you like, use chocolate sprinkles as a small part of an everyday bread-based meal, and make separate choices about the rest of your food and drinks.
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Trying an unfamiliar variety just before a long run
The packaging for Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles with Less Sugar warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. So, the words ‘less sugar’ alone don’t tell you how you’ll respond to that variety.
Read the ingredients and warnings, and don’t try a new variety or portion for the first time just before a long training session.
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Guessing the allergens from the name of the chocolate sprinkles
Ingredients vary between varieties. For example, Albert Heijn lists milk and soya in Venz Dark Chocolate Sprinkles; you can’t assume the same applies to other chocolate sprinkles.
Check the allergen information on the exact product pack every time you buy.
Brands to compare
These brands offer different pack sizes and varieties. Compare the information for the exact product: a brand name doesn’t tell you what’s on every label.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists milk and dark chocolate sprinkles in 600 g packs.
- The two listed varieties come in the same pack size, making it easier to compare the type and label.
- A large pack is most practical if you’ll use it up.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI lists Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.
- The product information clearly states the pack size and that it’s a dark variety.
- Check the information on the pack and make sure the size suits how much you use.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Dark Chocolate Sprinkles in a 400 g pack.
- According to Albert Heijn’s nutritional information, this variety contains 67 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, of which 64 g are sugars.
- Don’t use the figures for this dark variety as a guide to other types of chocolate sprinkles.
Venz
Venz is an option if you specifically want to compare a variety from this brand.
- Albert Heijn lists Venz Dark Chocolate Sprinkles in a 400 g pack.
- For this dark variety, Albert Heijn lists milk and soya. Always check the label of any other variety separately.
De Ruijter
Jumbo’s product information lists a 390 g pack of De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles.
- The listed pack size is different from the 400 g and 600 g dark varieties.
- Your brand preference or pack size alone won’t tell you whether a product is suitable as complete nutrition around a training session.
Chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy for bread-based meals
These milk and dark chocolate sprinkles are options if you want a sweet bread topping as part of an everyday meal. Choose the type you’re looking for, then check the nutritional information and ingredients on each pack.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles 400 g
A milk chocolate variety to enjoy as a sweet bread topping with an everyday meal. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for this variety on the pack.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
A dark variety for anyone who wants to use this brand as a bread topping. Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack before including these chocolate sprinkles in a meal around a training session.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles 400 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles to enjoy as a sweet topping with an everyday bread-based meal. Compare this variety’s label with your preferences for ingredients and nutritional information.
Frequently asked questions
Can chocolate sprinkles provide complete nutrition for marathon training?
No. Chocolate sprinkles are a bread topping, not a complete meal or a substitute for drinks. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says people training for a marathon may need more carbohydrates, but also points out that chocolate sprinkles are high in sugars and saturated fat.
When is a slice of bread with chocolate sprinkles suitable before a run?
A slice of bread with chocolate sprinkles can be part of an everyday meal eaten well before a run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a good meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise; try a portion that’s new to you during a regular training session first.
Are chocolate sprinkles with less sugar automatically a good choice before a long run?
No. Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact variety too. For Céréal Dark Chocolate Sprinkles with Less Sugar, Albert Heijn lists a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Should I check the allergens on every pack?
Yes. Check the label of the exact chocolate sprinkles you’re buying. For example, Albert Heijn lists milk and soya in Venz Dark Chocolate Sprinkles; the allergens in that variety don’t tell you what’s in every other pack.