Walkers taking a lunch break
If you’re bringing sandwiches, chocolate sprinkles could be an option for the filling. Without bread, they don’t serve the same purpose as a snack to eat on their own.
Who is this choice for?
Walkers who want to share something
For a treat at a rest stop or after your walk, a box of chocolates is a better fit than sprinkles for bread.
Walkers with dietary requirements or allergies
Check the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and best-before date on the packaging you choose, especially if it contains a selection of different types of chocolate.
What should you look for?
First decide what you want to eat and drink during your walk. Then choose whether bread toppings or a treat to share would suit your break better.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Food and drink on the go | Plan your lunch break and take a drink with you too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends bringing sandwiches and fruit, among other things. | If I want to have lunch on the go, I’ll sort out food and drink first; chocolate can only be an extra. Around 50% of consumers put this preparation first. |
| Bread topping or treat to share | Choose sprinkles if you’re bringing bread; look for a box of chocolates if you want to share something. Albert Heijn describes the Merci Gift Box as a selection of eight types of chocolate. | If you want to hand something round at a rest stop, you’ll need a different type of product from someone looking for a sandwich topping. Around 30% of consumers put this choice first. |
| Label and portion | Read the ingredients, allergens and best-before date on the packaging; compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If I have an allergy or a specific dietary requirement, I want to know what’s in the product I’ve chosen before taking it with me. This check matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating sprinkles as a ready-to-eat snack
Chocolate sprinkles are a bread topping. Taking them on their own is not the same as having a sandwich ready for your break.
If you want to take sprinkles with you, make them part of your packed lunch. Choose another type of product if you want something to eat without bread.
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Taking a box of chocolates instead of lunch and a drink
A box to share won’t automatically provide the food and drink you need during your walk. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking food and plenty of fluids with you when you’re out and about.
Plan your lunch and drinks separately, and save the chocolate for a treat.
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Relying on an old product description
Ingredients and allergy information can vary or change between products and packaging. This is especially important with mixed selections.
Read the packaging before buying, then check it again before eating if allergens or other ingredients matter to your choice.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Chocolate sprinkles in a range of varieties, made to be used as a sweet bread topping.
- A good choice if you’re looking for sprinkles to add to sandwiches in a packed lunch.
- The sprinkles aren’t a ready-to-eat snack for when you’re out and about.
Kiekeboe
According to ALDI Nederland, Kiekeboe chocolate sprinkles are available in milk or dark chocolate, in 300 g packs.
- An option if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles to use as a bread topping.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for your chosen variety on the packaging.
Merci
Albert Heijn describes the Merci Gift Box as a selection of eight types of chocolate.
- A selection like this is suited to a gift or a moment when you want to share chocolate.
- A gift box is no substitute for bringing your own lunch and drink.
Celebrations
Albert Heijn lists a chocolate gift pack and an assorted Celebrations mix.
- An assortment is a good option if you want to share different types of chocolate.
- Check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging you choose; Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.
Products for a walking break
This selection includes chocolate to share, sprinkles for sandwiches in a packed lunch, and two other sweet snacks. The snacks are neither sprinkles nor a box of chocolates. When choosing, check the label for ingredients, allergens and the best-before date, and plan food and drink for your walk separately.
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Tony's Chocolonely chocolate gift box 288 g
A gift box for anyone who wants to share chocolate during a planned break rather than take a bread topping.
Remember to take food and drink with you for your walk too.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure chocolate sprinkles 390 g
A good choice if you’re planning to bring your own bread for a lunch break during your walk.
Chocolate sprinkles are a bread topping, not a ready-to-eat snack.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack 143 g
A chocolate assortment for sharing as a treat during a group break.
Check the packaging you choose for its ingredients and allergens.
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Orion Turtle Chips Choco Churros 80 g
A snack for anyone looking for something different from bread with sprinkles or a box of chocolates to share.
These are crisps with a chocolate churro flavour, not a replacement for a planned lunch and drink.
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Lu Scholiertje milk chocolate biscuits 150 g
A biscuit snack for a rest break if you’re not looking for sprinkles as a bread topping or a box of chocolates.
Take food and drink for the rest of your walk separately.
Frequently asked questions
Can you eat chocolate sprinkles on their own while walking?
Chocolate sprinkles are intended as a bread topping, not as a ready-to-eat walking snack. If you want to take them with you, use them in sandwiches in your packed lunch.
When is a box of chocolates suitable for a walk?
A box of chocolates is suited to a planned break or a moment to share, for example after your walk. Follow the storage and best-before information on the packaging, and arrange food and drink for the walk separately.
What should you take to drink on a leisurely walk?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking plenty of fluids with you and says water is the best choice for a leisurely walk. Chocolate isn’t a substitute for a drink.
Where can you check the allergens in packaged chocolate?
Check the allergens on the label of the packaging you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly listed on the label of pre-packed food.
Is the nutritional information on an online shop enough to help you choose?
Use the online information for an initial comparison, but also read the packaging of the product you choose. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change.