A chocolate stroopwafel can make a small pre-workout snack if you have enough time before your session and know you tolerate it well; it isn’t essential sports nutrition. Shortly before intense exercise, a large portion or foods high in fat or fibre may not be the best choice, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you’re specifically looking for a dark cocoa flavour, check the type of chocolate: the Daelmans varieties mentioned here contain milk chocolate.
You’re looking for a caramel- or chocolate-flavoured stroopwafel to have before your workout. Consider the size and when you’ll eat it, rather than assuming a chocolate variety is specially made for sport.
If eating during a run or an intense workout can leave you feeling weighed down, portion size and timing matter more than the cocoa flavour you’d prefer. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise.
You want to compare sugar and fat content, or you have a specific dietary requirement or concern about allergens. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and read the declarations and allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
First, work out how much time there’ll be between eating and exercising. Then compare the type of chocolate, size and nutritional information of the stroopwafels you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Timing and stomach comfort | Check the portion size and the amount of fat and fibre per portion; consider how long it is until your workout. | If I’m exercising intensively soon after eating, I want to avoid a snack that feels heavy. Timing and stomach comfort are the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Cocoa flavour and size | If you prefer plain or dark chocolate, look for an explicit description or a stated cocoa percentage; compare the size. | I want to be able to take a small stroopwafel with me, but I don’t want to assume that a dark flavour means dark chocolate. Cocoa flavour and size come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare sugars per 100 g and per portion; check the current ingredients and allergen information. | If I’m keeping an eye on sugar or an allergen, the pack I choose needs to suit my requirements. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
A chocolate stroopwafel doesn’t necessarily contain dark chocolate. The Daelmans Chocolade Mini’s and chocolate snack pack listed by PLUS contain milk chocolate; Albert Heijn also describes Kanjers Chocowafels as a product made with milk chocolate.
If you want a dark cocoa flavour, check the specific product description and ingredients list rather than relying on the front of the pack alone.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, foods high in fat, protein or fibre can stay in your stomach for longer if you exercise soon afterwards. So when you eat matters.
Avoid a large portion just before intense exercise, and try a new snack first on a regular training day.
Albert Heijn compares its AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels with AH Roomboter stroopwafels and states that they contain 32% less sugar. The label for the lower-sugar variety still lists 23 g of sugars and 17 g of fat per 100 g.
As well as checking the comparative claim, read the nutritional information and consider how much you’ll actually eat.
The chocolate products reviewed may contain ingredients that matter to people with allergies, including wheat, milk and soya. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the requirement to declare allergens on the label.
Every time you buy one, check the current ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the pack.
Worth considering if you’re comparing chocolate stroopwafels in mini or snack-pack sizes.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a stroopwafel with a comparative lower-sugar claim.
Worth considering if you want to explore different types of stroopwafels from one supermarket range.
Worth considering if you want to compare regular stroopwafels with a chocolate variety from the range.
Worth considering if you’re looking at mini butter stroopwafels in the biscuit range.
You can have one as a small snack if there’s enough time between eating and exercising and you know you tolerate it well. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a regular meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise and advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before a workout.
No, a special snack isn’t usually necessary. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need sports bars, gels or sports drinks; different choices around food and drink may be relevant during prolonged, intense exercise.
No. PLUS’s product information describes the Daelmans chocolate varieties mentioned here as stroopwafels made with milk chocolate, and Albert Heijn lists milk chocolate in Kanjers Chocowafels. If you’re looking for a specific dark chocolate variety, check for an explicit description and read the ingredients list.
Check the allergen information on the current pack of the product you’re buying. Wheat, milk and soya are among the allergens relevant to the chocolate products reviewed; don’t rely on the ingredients of a different stroopwafel or a pack you bought previously.
