The De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes reviewed here are not a sugar-free choice: according to Real Dutch Food’s product information, they contain sugar and glucose syrup, with 79 g of sugars per 100 g. For marathon training, a well-practised plan for carbohydrates and fluids matters more than your choice of one sandwich topping. If you mainly want to reduce added sugar at breakfast, you could consider a different topping, but that does not automatically make it suitable fuel for your run.
You’re looking for breakfast and on-the-go fuel that suit the length of your training, when you eat and what you’re used to having while running. Using Gestampte Muisjes as a sandwich topping doesn’t automatically answer the question of what to take with you on a run.
You want the flavour and sprinkleable texture of Gestampte Muisjes, while also keeping an eye on sugar. If the sugar content is your priority, a different sandwich topping may better suit your preferences, but you may have to forgo the aniseed flavour and product format.
If you have a milk or wheat allergy or intolerance, the packaging label takes priority over flavour or training goals. Real Dutch Food’s product information lists milk and wheat for the De Ruijter version reviewed here.
First decide whether you’re choosing a topping for its flavour, a different sugar claim at breakfast or fuel for a long run. These are different decisions: an alternative to Gestampte Muisjes won’t automatically replace your plan for eating and drinking during training.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel for long runs | Check the carbohydrate content per serving and plan when you’ll eat and drink. Assess a topping as part of your overall plan. | For a long run, I want to know how breakfast, drinks and on-the-go fuel fit together. For around 46% of consumers, this fuelling question comes first. |
| Sugars in the topping | Compare the exact wording on the label, the ingredients and the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving. ‘Sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’ don’t mean the same thing. | I’m mainly looking for a topping with a sugar claim that suits my preferences, even if that means giving up the aniseed flavour. This is the most important factor for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and tolerance | Read the allergen information on the packaging you choose. If you’re considering an alternative containing polyols, check for any consumption warnings too. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or tend to get stomach or bowel problems when running, I first check what I can tolerate. For around 18% of consumers, this is the main concern. |
Choosing a breakfast topping with less added sugar doesn’t tell you how much carbohydrate and fluid you’ve planned for a long training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of carbohydrates in endurance sports.
Decide what you’re buying the product for, and practise any changes to your eating and drinking plan during training—not for the first time on race day.
Real Dutch Food’s product information lists sugar and glucose syrup as ingredients in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and gives the sugar content as 79 g per 100 g.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging you buy; a search term doesn’t tell you what’s in the product.
Albert Heijn states that excessive consumption of Hero Jam Zero strawberry jam may have a laxative effect. This is an important warning if you’re planning to eat it around a training session.
Try an unfamiliar topping on an ordinary day first, and read the warnings on the packaging.
The De Ruijter version reviewed here lists milk and wheat. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.
Check the allergen information on the exact packaging you choose every time you buy it, even if you already know the product.
De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes is the option reviewed here for anyone specifically looking for sprinkleable aniseed topping.
Hero Jam Zero strawberry jam is a different kind of sandwich topping for anyone considering a product labelled ‘no added sugars’ and not looking for Gestampte Muisjes.
No, the version reviewed here is not sugar-free. Real Dutch Food’s product information lists sugar and glucose syrup as ingredients and gives the sugar content as 79 g per 100 g. Check the current label when you buy it.
No, the wording on a jar of sandwich topping doesn’t determine your whole eating and drinking plan for a long run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of carbohydrates in endurance sports. Choose what and when you eat and drink to suit your training, and practise your plan beforehand.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a good meal around two to three hours before exercise, along with around 500 ml of fluid. Try a different topping or portion during a training session first, so you can see how it works for you.
Check the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details on the packaging you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. For this choice, pay particular attention to the sugar information and any warnings about alternatives containing polyols.
