People preparing several snacks at home
You prepare sandwiches in advance for sports days and want to choose a pack size you’ll actually use up.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who consider when they eat
You’re looking for something to take with you before or after training and want to know how chocolate sprinkles fit into the rest of your snack.
People who compare labels
You check the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens on the exact pack before buying it.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide when you want to eat your snack, then choose your chocolate sprinkles. Compare like-for-like toppings and check the details on the pack you’re buying.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| When you eat | Decide whether you’re looking for a topping for a sandwich prepared in advance, and how long you’ll be exercising. | If I eat just before training, I want to choose a snack that suits the occasion rather than taking chocolate sprinkles as a sports snack on their own. For around 40% of consumers, when they eat is the main consideration. |
| Pack size | Compare the weight of the same type of chocolate sprinkles and consider whether you’ll use up a large pack at home. | When preparing several sandwiches in advance, I want to have enough topping at home without choosing a pack that will sit unused. Pack size is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety, even when buying it again. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the label determines whether a pack is suitable for me. This is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Taste and ingredients | Compare plain with plain, and check sugars, fat and fibre per 100 g or per portion. | I want a flavour I enjoy using, and I consider the nutritional value of my usual portion. This preference is the deciding factor for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of chocolate sprinkles as a complete gym snack
Chocolate sprinkles are a topping, not a meal replacement or a drink. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says sports bars and gels aren’t necessary for exercise lasting less than an hour.
Think about when you’ll eat, and use chocolate sprinkles on a sandwich prepared at home if you like.
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Taking ‘less sugar’ as a judgement on the whole snack
A comparison of sugar content alone tells you nothing about the rest of the nutritional value or how much you use.
Check the full nutrition information and compare the figures for your own portion.
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Assuming all plain chocolate sprinkles contain the same allergens
The De Ruijter Puur and Venz Puur varieties described by Jumbo contain milk and soya. Allergen information can vary from product to product.
Read the label on the exact pack, even if you’ve bought another product from the same brand before.
Brands compared
Kiekeboe
ALDI lists a 600 g pack of Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles made with Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
- A large pack could be a good fit if you regularly prepare sandwiches at home.
- Check the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens on the pack.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells both a large pack of its own-brand plain chocolate sprinkles and a separate lower-sugar plain variety.
- The different packs give you a choice of size and ingredients.
- Compare the nutrition information and allergens for each variety; ‘less sugar’ doesn’t describe the whole snack.
De Ruijter
The De Ruijter Hagelslag Puur listed in the product information reviewed comes in a 390 g pack.
- An option if you’re specifically looking for this plain variety and pack size.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, this variety contains milk and soya; check the label if you have a relevant allergy.
Venz
The Venz Puur dark chocolate sprinkles described come in a 400 g pack.
- A separate plain variety to compare for taste and label information.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains milk and soya; check the pack if you need to avoid allergens.
Lidl
Lidl describes an XXL 550 g pack of plain chocolate sprinkles, available in store.
- The pack size may be useful if you prepare several snacks at home.
- For a proper comparison, read the nutrition information and allergens on the exact pack.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells its own-brand chocolate sprinkles as well as other brands.
- You can compare different varieties and pack sizes side by side.
- Assess the ingredients and suitability of each product individually, rather than judging the range as a whole.
Chocolate sprinkles at Joybuy
You can compare these dark chocolate sprinkles as a topping for a snack prepared at home. As well as pack size, check the nutrition information and the label for the variety you choose.
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De Ruijter Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
A pack for anyone who wants to use chocolate sprinkles as a topping on a sandwich prepared in advance.
Net weight: 200 g. Check the label for milk, soya and lactose if you need to avoid them.
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g'woon Plain Chocolate Sprinkles 400 g
A pack for anyone who wants to prepare several sandwiches with plain chocolate sprinkles at home.
Net weight: 400 g. Check the label for milk and possible traces of wheat if this is relevant to you.
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De Ruijter Plain Chocolate Sprinkles 390 g
A plain chocolate sprinkles variety for anyone looking for this brand as a topping for a snack prepared in advance.
Net weight: 390 g. Jumbo’s product information for De Ruijter Hagelslag Puur 390 g lists milk and soya; check the label on this pack.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat chocolate sprinkles as a snack while exercising?
Chocolate sprinkles are mainly a topping for a prepared snack, not a sports food in their own right. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says sports bars and gels aren’t necessary for exercise lasting less than an hour; decide what to take based on when you’ll eat and what else you’ll have to eat and drink.
Is a thick slice of bread with chocolate sprinkles a good idea just before exercise?
A large meal just before exercise may feel less comfortable than a smaller snack or a meal eaten earlier. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a meal around two to three hours before exercise, so also consider the size and ingredients of your sandwich.
Does ‘less sugar’ mean chocolate sprinkles are a better choice after exercise?
No. That claim compares sugar content; it doesn’t tell you whether the whole snack suits the occasion. Check the sugar per portion alongside the rest of the nutrition information and what else you’re eating.
Should I check allergens in plain chocolate sprinkles too?
Yes, read the allergen information on the exact pack. Jumbo lists milk and soya in the De Ruijter Puur and Venz Puur varieties described; don’t assume that other plain varieties contain the same ingredients.