People who want to eat something shortly before training
You’re looking for a small portion that you know you tolerate well. How long you have until training matters more than choosing a particular chocolate flavour.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who use chocolate sprinkles as a topping
You might want to add a little chocolate sprinkle topping to bread, yoghurt or porridge, for example, and compare the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens in the variety you’ve chosen.
People buying a chocolate gift
You’re looking for something to give as a gift, but don’t want to confuse its appeal as a present with its suitability as a snack just before exercise.
What should you look for when choosing?
A small, familiar snack
When: If you want something to eat shortly before training, choose a small portion that you know you tolerate well.
What to consider: The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says the time until exercise and the size of the portion are both important.
Chocolate sprinkles as a topping
When: If you want to use a small amount of chocolate sprinkles as a sweet topping on bread, for example, rather than eating them as a snack on their own.
What to consider: The ingredients vary by product. A small amount on your food is different from a large portion of chocolate just before training.
A box of chocolates
When: If you’re looking for a gift or something to enjoy as a treat.
What to consider: The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says chocolate is high in saturated fat. Don’t choose a box because you assume it will benefit you before exercise.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Timing and portion size | Think about how long you have until training and keep the portion small if you’re eating shortly beforehand. | I want to eat something without starting with a full stomach. Around 45% of consumers prioritise a light option just before training. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Compare sugars, fats, fibre and any polyols per 100 g. Also check the allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen. | When choosing chocolate sprinkles, I want to know what’s in my topping and which variety suits my preferences. Around 33% of consumers prioritise these ingredients. |
| Choosing a gift | Choose a box of chocolates as a gift based on what the recipient would enjoy, not on an assumed effect on exercise. | I’m looking for something to give as a gift; it doesn’t have to be a snack for just before training. Around 22% of consumers prioritise choosing a gift. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of a box of chocolates as a pre-workout snack
A box of chocolates can be perfect for a treat, but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable just before training. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large or high-fat portion at this point.
If you’re short on time, choose a small snack you know you tolerate well and save the chocolates for another occasion.
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Going by the word ‘dark’ alone
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, De Ruijter Intens Puur contains 20 g of fat per 100 g, while the standard dark variety examined contains 15 g per 100 g. A more intense cocoa flavour doesn’t automatically mean less fat.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and consider how much you actually plan to use.
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Focusing only on lower sugar content
Jumbo states that Céréal Hagelslag Puur contains 40 g of polyols per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Don’t try a variety containing polyols for the first time just before a strenuous training session.
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Skipping the allergen information
The De Ruijter and Venz varieties examined list milk and soya; some also state that they may contain lactose. Allergen information depends on the specific product.
If you have a relevant food allergy or intolerance, check the current packaging of the exact variety you plan to eat.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Chocolate sprinkles for bread or as a topping. The dark variety examined comes in a 390 g pack, while the Intens Puur pack contains 200 g.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the standard dark variety contains 67 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, including 64 g of sugars, and 15 g of fat.
- The Intens Puur variety examined states that it contains at least 52% cocoa solids and 20 g of fat per 100 g. Both varieties examined list milk and soya; they may contain lactose.
Venz
The dark chocolate sprinkles examined come in a 400 g pack and are intended as a sweet topping for bread or other foods.
- For this dark variety, Jumbo states that each 100 g contains 68 g of carbohydrates, including 65 g of sugars.
- The same product information states that it contains 17 g of fat per 100 g, lists milk and soya as ingredients, and says it may contain lactose.
Céréal
The dark chocolate sprinkles with sweetener examined may be worth considering if you specifically want to compare varieties by sugar content.
- For this variety, Jumbo states that each 100 g contains 7.7 g of sugars, 40 g of polyols and 10 g of fibre.
- The product information also states that it contains 19 g of fat per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Dark chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy
You can compare these dark chocolate sprinkle varieties if you’re looking for a small amount of sweetness to add to bread, for example. Neither is a standalone pre-workout snack.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
Use as a small sweet topping when you want to add chocolate sprinkles to a regular snack.
According to product information from Albert Heijn and Joybuy, this variety contains 67 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, including 64 g of sugars. Albert Heijn also states that it contains 15 g of fat per 100 g. The variety examined lists milk and soya. Check the current packaging and choose the portion you want to use.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles 400 g
An option if you want to use a small amount of dark chocolate sprinkles as a sweet topping, rather than as a snack on their own.
Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the current packaging for the portion you plan to use.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate sprinkles a good snack just before exercise?
Not as a standard snack on their own. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or foods high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise. A small amount of chocolate sprinkles can, however, be a sweet topping on a small snack you know you tolerate well.
Are chocolates a better choice than chocolate sprinkles before exercise?
A box of chocolates is better suited to a gift or a treat than to fuelling your workout. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says chocolate is high in saturated fat, so a large or high-fat portion is less suitable just before exercise.
What should I check if I have a food allergy or intolerance?
Read the allergen and ingredient information on the current packaging of the exact chocolate sprinkles or chocolate you plan to use. The De Ruijter and Venz varieties examined list milk and soya; some varieties state that they may contain lactose.