Only take chocolate sprinkles with you if you plan to use them as a topping on something like bread, yoghurt or porridge; on their own, they’re not a practical snack for your gym bag. A box of chocolates is better suited to a gift or sharing. If you’re looking for something to eat around a workout, let the timing of your training and your food and drink needs guide your choice, rather than the chocolate packaging.
If you want a measured snack to eat on the go, a packet of loose chocolate sprinkles won’t be much use. Small portions are handy when you also have bread, yoghurt or something else to sprinkle them on.
For them, it matters whether they’re looking for something to eat during prolonged exercise or afterwards. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses carbohydrates during prolonged exercise, and carbohydrates alongside protein after running.
They’re looking for something to give or share after exercise, not necessarily a snack to eat during a workout. When choosing an assortment, the packaging and the allergens in the different varieties matter.
When: choose these for a planned snack with something like bread, yoghurt or porridge.
Things to consider: a small pack is easier to take with you, but chocolate sprinkles still aren’t a ready-to-eat snack.
When: choose a box if you want to give chocolate as a gift or share it with others.
Things to consider: an assortment means checking the ingredients and allergens in the different varieties.
When: choose based on what you need during or after exercise, rather than how the chocolate is presented.
Things to consider: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you don’t need specialist sports products for a workout lasting less than an hour.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taking it with you and portioning | Check whether you can eat it straight away or need something to go with it. Compare individual portions with a large pack. | I want to put something in my gym bag without having to measure out chocolate sprinkles or risk spilling them. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this practical use. |
| Eating around exercise | Decide whether you’re looking for something to eat during a prolonged workout or afterwards; consider carbohydrates and, after exercise, protein too. | When I plan what to eat around a demanding workout, I’m looking for more than just a sweet treat. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this training goal. |
| Giving and sharing | Check the number of pieces, the packaging, and the ingredients and allergen information for the assortment. | After exercise, I want to give someone chocolate or share something together, so the recipients influence my choice. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Chocolate sprinkles are a topping for bread that you scatter over your food. Without bread, yoghurt or another suitable base, they don’t make a convenient snack for on the go.
Only take a small portion if you already know what you’ll use it on; otherwise, choose something you can eat straight away.
According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Specials intens puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids. That figure alone doesn’t tell you whether the portion is suitable before, during or after your workout.
Check the nutritional information for the exact variety and decide first what you want to take the product for.
Different chocolates in the same box can contain different ingredients and allergens. This matters especially if you don’t know the recipient’s preferences or allergies.
Before buying, check the current ingredients and allergen information for the full assortment.
Albert Heijn lists AH Hagelslag puur in a 600 g pack, while De Ruijter Kleintjes contains eight portions according to Albert Heijn. These are different choices for keeping at home and taking one serving in your gym bag.
First decide how and where you want to eat the chocolate sprinkles, then compare pack sizes.
Chocolate sprinkles and flakes to use as a topping on bread or other foods.
Chocolate sprinkles to use as a topping on bread or other foods.
Own-brand chocolate sprinkles and a separate range of chocolates and pralines.
Dark chocolate sprinkles in a large pack, for use as a topping on bread.
Dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone looking for a topping for bread rather than a ready-to-eat snack.
These products are suited to a sweet treat you can eat straight away, or to giving and sharing. Check the packaging and label to see what portion is practical and whether the ingredients are suitable for the recipient; don’t consider them a targeted recovery meal.
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An option if you want to take some chocolate to share. If you have allergies, check the current ingredients list and look at the best-before date before eating.
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A chocolate wafer for a sweet snack. If you want to take individual wafers with you, check how they’re packed and read the label if you have allergies.
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The tubes are ideal for sharing after exercise. The pack contains six 34 g portions; check the ingredients if you’re giving them to someone else.
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A chocolate cake as a sweet treat. Check the packaging to see how the cakes are divided if you want to take one with you, and check the allergen information.
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The gift pack is suited to giving or sharing, rather than as a targeted recovery meal. If you want to share the chocolates while you’re out, check the flavours, allergens and whether they’re individually wrapped.
Chocolate sprinkles are mainly intended as a topping for bread or other foods, not as something that’s easy to eat on its own. Take them with you if you also have bread, yoghurt or another suitable base; otherwise, choose a ready-to-eat snack.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you don’t need specialist sports products for a workout lasting less than an hour; your needs may be different during prolonged, intense exercise. Match what you eat and drink to the duration and type of exercise.
A box of chocolates is more of a gift or treat than a meal planned for recovery. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating carbohydrates and protein after running, so after a demanding workout, first think about what else you’ll eat.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, especially for a box containing different chocolates. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that 14 allergens must be declared on the label.
