Cycling groups stopping for coffee
If everyone is taking a break in the same place, you can decide in advance how many biscuits to hand out. A larger pack can be handy, but think about how you’ll store the rest once it’s open.
Who are shareable biscuits useful for?
Cyclists sharing them out on the go
If you want to take something for every cyclist, twin packs or biscuits portioned out at home are easier to pack than one opened bag. For example, Lotus Biscoff lists a Mega Pack with 20 packs of two; ALDI Netherlands lists multigrain biscuits in nine packs of two.
Cyclists following a nutrition plan for longer rides
If you’re planning your carbohydrate intake for a ride, what matters is what’s in the portion you actually eat. Use the nutritional information for the biscuit you’ve chosen, and take into account what you drink with it and how well you tolerate food while cycling.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’ll share the biscuits in one place or take them with you on the bike. Then check the pack size, portioning and nutritional information for the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough to share | Check the net weight and, if stated, the number of biscuits. ALDI Netherlands lists Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas as weighing 600 g and containing 48 biscuits. | At a group coffee stop, I want to know in advance whether there’ll be a biscuit for everyone; having enough to share is a priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Portions for the ride | Check whether the biscuits are individually wrapped or can be portioned out before you set off. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g first, then per portion; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers decide the portion size shown on the packaging. | If the biscuits are going in the bike bag, I want to pack something for each person without passing around an opened bag. For around 33% of consumers, ease of sharing is the top priority. |
| Fitting into a nutrition plan | Check the carbohydrates per portion you’ll actually eat and read the label of your chosen variety for allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 9.8 g of carbohydrates for one large 15 g biscuit; this isn’t a figure that applies to every biscuit. | On a longer or more demanding ride, I want to know how a biscuit fits into my planned food and drink. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Thinking a sharing pack is a complete nutrition plan
The amount of carbohydrates depends on the biscuit and how many you eat. The Australian Institute of Sport discusses sports products in the context of carbohydrate intake above 60 g per hour during exercise, among other things; a large bag of biscuits won’t tell you how much you’re actually consuming per hour.
Read the nutritional information for your chosen variety, calculate the amount for your planned portion, and try out your eating and drinking plan during training.
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Going by the weight of the bag alone
A 600 g pack might be right for a break in one place, but its weight doesn’t tell you whether each cyclist can take an individual portion for the ride.
Choose a large pack if you’re sharing the biscuits there and then; if you’re taking them on the bike, look for smaller packs or portion them out at home.
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Using the label for a different variety
Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values can vary between biscuit varieties. Albert Heijn also warns that product information can change.
Read the current label on the exact pack you’re buying, especially if anyone in the group needs to avoid allergens.
Brands and own-label options to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists Original Speculoos in a range of pack formats, including a Mega Pack with 20 twin packs. This size is worth considering if you want to hand out a pack to each person before the ride.
- The individual twin packs make it easy to portion them out in advance.
- Don’t assume that nutritional values and allergens are the same for every pack format; check the label of the variety you choose.
Biscotto
ALDI Netherlands lists Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas in a 600 g pack containing 48 biscuits. The stated quantity and pack size can help you plan for a group break.
- The stated number of biscuits helps you plan how to share them out in advance.
- A large pack doesn’t automatically divide the biscuits into portions to take with you.
Sondey
Lidl Netherlands presents Sondey as a range of biscuits and cookies. Compare specific varieties if you’re looking for a sharing pack or smaller portions.
- The range includes different types of biscuits and cookies to compare pack by pack.
- A range description won’t tell you the exact nutritional values, allergens or characteristics of a particular variety.
Biscuits for your break and the ride
This selection of Joybuy products includes packs to share during a break as well as smaller formats to divide between cyclists in advance. Choose according to when you’ll be handing out the biscuits, and check the packaging if you need exact portion sizes or nutritional values.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas Cookies, 8 pieces, 200 g
An option if you want to divide the biscuits between cyclists before setting off. The pack lists 8 pieces and a total weight of 200 g; check the nutritional information if you’re working out an exact portion.
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g'woon Bakkersspeculaas 600 g
The 600 g size is suitable for sharing biscuits during a group break. Check the number of biscuits on the pack if you want to decide in advance how many each person can have.
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LU Scholiertje biscuits with milk chocolate 150 g
A smaller size to consider if you want to take biscuits with you rather than share a large bag in one place. The pack contains 150 g; check the label to see how many pieces you’ll actually be packing for each person.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie 250 g
The 250 g pack is an option for sharing biscuits during a break. Decide how much you want to take before setting off; don’t assume this variety has the same portioning as another Lotus Biscoff pack size.
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Ulker Halley Mini Biscuit 3 × 77 g
The 3 × 77 g format is worth considering if you want to spread smaller packs across several bike bags. If you’re planning the ride in advance, check the number of biscuits and the nutritional information for the portion you’ll actually eat.
Frequently asked questions
Can a large bag of biscuits replace sports nutrition for a long ride?
Not automatically: a large pack doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates you’re getting per portion. The Australian Institute of Sport discusses sports products for high carbohydrate intake during exercise, including more than 60 g per hour; so assess the nutritional information for your chosen biscuit as part of your own eating and drinking plan.
How do I compare the nutritional values of different biscuits?
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then calculate them for the portion you’ll actually take or eat. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers decide the portion size they state on the packaging.
Should I check for allergens when buying biscuits for a group?
Yes. Check the label of the exact variety before sharing the biscuits. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of allergen information on labels for people with food allergies; don’t rely on the ingredients of a similar biscuit.
How should I store a large bag after a cycling break?
Follow the storage and use-by information on the pack you’ve chosen, and seal it after opening as directed. For example, Joybuy advises storing Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Cookie 250 g in a cool, dry place and closing the pack securely after opening; don’t assume the same advice applies to other biscuits.
Can I rely on ingredient information online?
Check the packaging of the product you actually buy, too. Albert Heijn says that product information, including ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information, can change.