Runner looking for small portions
Wants to portion out chocolate sprinkles for a meal around training without opening a large pack. Albert Heijn lists a De Ruijter pack containing individual 20 g portions; check availability when you buy.
Who is this relevant to?
Runner doing long training sessions
Wants to work out what is practical to eat and drink while running. A portion of chocolate sprinkles on its own is not a complete plan for carbohydrate and fluid intake during a long training session.
Home meal-prepper comparing labels
Uses chocolate sprinkles with a meal and wants to check the portion size, nutritional information, ingredients and allergens for the chosen variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want chocolate sprinkles to add to a meal or food and drink for a long run. A small pack, a large pack and sports nutrition each meet different practical needs.
Single-serve chocolate sprinkles
When: if you want a measured amount to sprinkle over bread, yoghurt or porridge around a training session.
Trade-off: individual portions don’t turn chocolate sprinkles into a sports bar; check how many portions are in the pack, too.
Standard pack of chocolate sprinkles
When: if you want to weigh out an amount yourself for a meal at home.
Trade-off: you choose the portion size, but a larger pack says nothing about how practical it is to use while running.
Sports drink, gel or bar
When: if you’re looking for a practical way to take on carbohydrates during a long, intense run.
Trade-off: a gel or bar won’t take care of your fluid intake; plan your food and drink together, and try out your choice during training.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition during a long run | Check the carbohydrates per actual portion and decide separately what you’ll drink on the way. | During a long training session, I want to be able to eat without losing sight of my drinking plan. For around 29% of consumers, this combination comes first. |
| Small portions | Check the grams per portion and whether you’re buying a single portion or a pack containing several portions. | For a meal around training, I want a measured amount of chocolate sprinkles, not a bar to eat on the go. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Ingredients and tolerance | Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for the exact variety you’ve chosen. | If I haven’t tried a product before, I want to know what’s in it and how it feels during training. Ingredients and personal tolerance are the main consideration for around 24% of consumers. |
| Use at home | Compare the net weight and consider whether you want to weigh out portions yourself. | At home, I’m more likely to use chocolate sprinkles with a meal and want to choose a suitable pack size. For around 18% of consumers, this is the most important factor. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 10.4 g of carbohydrates per 15 g for average chocolate sprinkles. Don’t use this figure as the nutritional value for every variety or single-serve pack: check the nutritional information for the product you choose.
Common mistakes
-
Mistaking a single-serve pack for a sports bar
Chocolate sprinkles are still a spreadable topping, even when individually packaged. The pack size alone doesn’t make them a practical or sufficient source of nutrition for a long run.
Use a portion as a topping with a meal. When choosing food for on the go, consider the actual portion, how practical it is to eat while running and the plan you’ve tested beforehand.
-
Planning what to eat but forgetting to drink
Both food and drink matter during a long, intense training session. Chocolate sprinkles don’t add any fluid to what you take with you.
Decide separately what you’ll drink before your session, then try the combination with your food during training, especially if you sweat a lot.
-
Using the label for a different variety
Dark and milk varieties may not contain the same ingredients or allergens. For example, the De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur listed by Albert Heijn contains soya and milk fat, and may contain milk protein and lactose.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack of the exact variety you plan to use.
Brands compared
De Ruijter
Worth considering if you want to compare a small portion format with a standard pack of chocolate sprinkles. Albert Heijn lists a pack containing 120 individual 20 g portions; Jumbo also lists De Ruijter Kleintjes, 140 g.
- Both portion-sized formats and standard packs are available to compare.
- Check availability and the label for the exact variety; ingredients and allergens vary by product.
Venz
Worth considering when comparing standard chocolate sprinkles and different flavours; Jumbo lists Venz milk chocolate sprinkles, 400 g, among other options.
- The pack listed gives you a specific standard size to compare.
- Don’t assume a standard pack contains individual portions; check the pack you choose.
Jumbo huismerk
Worth considering if you want to compare standard chocolate sprinkles with Strooi Mini's at Jumbo. Jumbo lists a 600 g pack of milk chocolate sprinkles and Strooi Mini's, 8 pieces and 140 g, among other options.
- The packs listed offer a choice between a large pack and smaller units.
- Even a small pack of chocolate sprinkles isn’t necessarily suitable as a complete source of nutrition during a long run.
Kiekeboe (ALDI-huismerk)
Worth considering if you’re comparing a large pack of dark chocolate sprinkles for home use. ALDI lists a 600 g Kiekeboe pack.
- The 600 g net weight makes the pack size clear.
- Check the nutritional information per portion on the label; the pack size doesn’t determine what you take during a training session.
Lidl-huismerk
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large pack of milk chocolate sprinkles for home use. Lidl lists a 600 g pack.
- The listed net weight gives you a clear starting point for comparing pack sizes.
- Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details on the pack before choosing a variety.
Products to help you choose
These products include sports drink powder for anyone planning food and drink during a long run, and standard packs of chocolate sprinkles for a meal around training. The chocolate sprinkle packs shown are not individually portioned.
Image unavailable
Body & Fit Isotonic Electrolytes Drink Watermelon, 1.05kg, 30 servings
For anyone who wants to include a drink in their food and hydration plan for a long run. This is sports drink powder in the Watermelon variety, not chocolate sprinkles or a ready-to-eat bar; try preparing and using it during training beforehand.
Image unavailable
Body & Fit Isotronic Drink Tropical, 1050g
For anyone who wants to take a sports drink along on a long training session. The Tropical variety comes in a 1050g pack; adjust how you prepare and use it to fit the food and drink plan you’ve tried out during training.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Intense Pure dark chocolate sprinkles, 200 g
For anyone who wants to weigh out chocolate sprinkles to use as a topping with a meal around training. This is a 200 g pack, not an individual portion; check the nutritional information and ingredients on the exact pack.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
For anyone who wants to use a standard pack of dark chocolate sprinkles with meals. The pack contains 390 g; weigh out the portion you want and read the nutritional information and allergen details on the label.
Image unavailable
g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles, 400g
For anyone looking for chocolate sprinkles to use with meals at home. This 400g pack is not a single-serve pack; check the label for the nutritional information per portion and the ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Can a portion of chocolate sprinkles replace a sports gel or bar during a long run?
Not as a straightforward substitute: a measured topping isn’t a complete plan for food and drink on the go. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 10.4 g of carbohydrates per 15 g for average chocolate sprinkles; check the actual portion size of your product and try beforehand what you can manage while running.
When are chocolate sprinkles a better fit around training?
Chocolate sprinkles work as a topping with a meal around training, for example on bread or with yoghurt or porridge. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises having a meal around two to three hours before exercise; choose the amount and timing based on what works for you during training.
Which label should I check if I have questions about allergens?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack of the exact variety you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen labelling on food products; don’t assume another flavour or pack has the same ingredients.
How should I store an opened pack of chocolate sprinkles?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack of your chocolate sprinkles. For De Ruijter Chocoladehagelslag Puur, 390 g, Joybuy advises storing it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, heat and moisture, and closing the pack tightly after opening.