Take chocolate spritz biscuits with you as a treat after exercise or at another time, rather than because you need specialist sports nutrition before a workout. Voedingscentrum advises against eating a large portion or high-fat foods shortly before exercise. When choosing, also compare the type of chocolate, portion size and storage instructions.
You’re looking for a little something to take with you, but when you eat it matters. Voedingscentrum advises against having a large portion or foods high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise. So consider whether you’d rather have your biscuit at another time.
You want to take a biscuit for after your workout or between appointments, and decide in advance how much to eat. The portions listed by Jumbo and Albert Heijn for their chocolate spritz biscuits differ: 13,3 g and 36 g respectively.
You’re choosing mainly by type of chocolate, or want to compare sugars and other nutritional values. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion; the word ‘dark’ on its own doesn’t tell you how much fat or sugar the biscuit contains.
First, decide when you want to eat the biscuit. Then compare the portion and nutritional information, and check whether the packaging is suitable for the conditions in your gym bag.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Check how much time there is between eating and your workout, and how large the portion is. | If I’m about to exercise, I don’t want to eat a large biscuit that feels heavy. For around 31% of consumers, the timing of when they eat is the deciding factor. |
| Nutritional value and portion | Compare fat and sugars per 100 g with the amount you actually want to eat. | When planning a treat, I want to know how much I’ll have at one sitting, not just what the figures per 100 g say. For around 31% of consumers, nutritional values and portion size come first. |
| Type of chocolate | Check whether the biscuit is covered in milk or dark chocolate; if you’re watching your sugar intake, read the full nutritional information too. | If I specifically want milk or dark chocolate, I let my taste preference guide my choice without making assumptions about the overall nutritional value. For around 23% of consumers, the type of chocolate or sugar content is the main consideration. |
| Taking it with you and storage | Read the storage instructions and check whether you can seal the packaging properly once opened. | I want to keep a biscuit for the journey sealed and away from heat and moisture. Practicality when taking it with you matters most to around 15% of consumers. |
According to Voedingscentrum, sports bars and sports gels aren’t needed before a workout lasting less than an hour. A large portion and foods high in fat can also cause gastrointestinal problems shortly before exercise.
First, decide when you want to eat it. If you want to take a chocolate spritz biscuit with you, it’s better to save it for a time that isn’t right before your workout.
Dark chocolate alone doesn’t tell you the overall nutritional value. Jumbo lists 27 g of fat and 26,3 g of sugars per 100 g for its dark chocolate spritz biscuits.
Choose the type of chocolate you prefer, and also compare the fat, sugars and portion size on the label.
Depending on the variety, the product information for the brands mentioned lists ingredients including wheat, milk, soya or egg. Information about the possible presence of other allergens also varies by product.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the variety you’re buying.
The product information from Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS includes storage instructions such as keeping the biscuits in a dry, dark or cool place and sealing the packaging after opening. You can’t always maintain these conditions in a warm or damp bag.
Seal the packaging carefully and, before you leave, check that you’ll be able to follow the stated storage instructions.
Nobo Sprits Melk is a spritz biscuit with a milk chocolate coating; Verkade lists a 150 g pack.
AH Choco spritsen are butter spritz biscuits with 15% dark chocolate. Albert Heijn lists five 36 g portions per pack.
Jumbo Spritsen met Pure Chocolade comes in a 200 g pack, with 18% dark chocolate and fifteen stated portions of 13,3 g, according to Jumbo.
PLUS Chocolade sprits comes in a 200 g pack and contains 18% dark chocolate, according to PLUS.
ALDI lists Biscotto roomboter sprits in plain and chocolate varieties.
This milk chocolate spritz biscuit is suited to a treat away from the immediate run-up to a workout. Before taking it with you, decide how much you want to eat and check the storage instructions on the packaging.
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For anyone who wants to take a milk chocolate spritz biscuit as a treat to enjoy away from their workout.
150 g pack. Check the packaging for the portion size, allergens and storage instructions that matter to you.
A chocolate spritz biscuit isn’t an obvious choice just before a workout. Voedingscentrum advises against having a large portion or foods high in fat, protein or fibre at that time, as they can cause gastrointestinal problems. So decide first when you want to eat the biscuit.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal it properly after opening. The product information for the Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS varieties mentioned advises keeping them in a dry, dark or cool place. Bear this in mind if your bag gets warm or damp.
Check the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. The product information from Verkade, Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS lists different allergens, including wheat, milk and soya, and egg in some varieties. Also look out for statements about the possible presence of other allergens.
Products can differ in nutritional value, but the word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you how the whole biscuit compares. Jumbo and PLUS both list 27 g of fat per 100 g for their dark chocolate spritz biscuits. To choose between specific products, compare the other values and the portion size too.
