Choose a dark chocolate spritz biscuit mainly for its flavour, if you want a small portion and have some time before your training session. Just before exercise, a high-fat biscuit is less suitable: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against foods high in fat at that point. What’s more, the stated percentage of dark chocolate doesn’t tell you how much cocoa the whole biscuit contains.
If you feel hungry just before a training session, what matters most is how the snack sits with you at that moment. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or food high in fat just before exercise; the dark spritz biscuits discussed here are high in fat.
If you fancy a small treat with dark chocolate, compare the stated chocolate content and your portion size. The percentage of dark chocolate on the pack is not the same as the cocoa percentage of the whole biscuit.
If you have an allergy or want to avoid sweeteners, the current packaging matters more than the product name. Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about polyols before choosing a variety.
If you’re considering a dark chocolate spritz biscuit before exercise, first think about how much time you have. Then compare the flavour, portion size and label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Timing and stomach comfort | Consider how soon you’ll be training and how much you want to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or food high in fat just before exercise. | If my training is about to start, I don’t want to exercise on a full stomach. For around 39% of consumers, stomach comfort would be the top priority. |
| Dark chocolate flavour | Compare the dark chocolate content; if it matters to you, look separately for a clearly stated cocoa solids percentage. | I choose the biscuit mainly for its dark chocolate and accept that the chocolate content doesn’t tell me the total cocoa content. For around 23% of consumers, this flavour preference would come first. |
| Portion size and nutritional value | Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and per portion, and consider how many biscuits you actually want to eat. | For my training session, I want to know what I’ll get from my own portion, not just what’s listed per 100 g. Around 23% of consumers would consider portion size first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warning about polyols. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check the packaging before choosing the biscuit. For around 15% of consumers, this would be the main consideration. |
A dark chocolate spritz biscuit is still a high-fat biscuit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating foods high in fat just before exercise.
Take the timing of your training into account, and don’t automatically have a full portion just because you’re still hungry.
The 18% dark chocolate in the Jumbo and PLUS spritz biscuits refers to the proportion of chocolate in the product, not the total proportion of cocoa solids in the biscuit.
If you want to compare cocoa content specifically, look for a separately stated cocoa solids percentage and check which product it applies to.
According to the product information, Damhert Nutrition Sprits Pure Chocolade contains polyols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the sweeteners and warnings on the packaging too, especially if you’re planning to eat the biscuit around a training session.
The spritz biscuits discussed here list different allergens and warnings. If you have an allergy, an older product description may not match the packaging of the product you buy.
Always read the current label, including the ingredients and any statement about what the product may contain.
The chocolate Nobo Sprits varieties are worth considering if you’re also open to milk chocolate.
AH Choco spritsen are butter spritz biscuits with 15% dark chocolate.
According to Jumbo, Jumbo Spritsen met Pure Chocolade contain 18% dark chocolate.
PLUS Chocolade sprits Fairtrade is a spritz biscuit with 18% dark chocolate.
Sprits Pure Chocolade is a variety made with sweeteners and no added sugar.
A high-fat spritz biscuit is less suitable just before exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against a large portion and foods high in fat at that point, so consider how soon you’ll be training and how much you want to eat.
No. For the Jumbo and PLUS spritz biscuits, 18% dark chocolate describes how much of the product is made up of dark chocolate. It isn’t the percentage of cocoa solids in the whole biscuit; you’d need a separate statement for that.
Don’t choose one without checking the current label. The varieties discussed list ingredients including milk, wheat or other cereals containing gluten, eggs and soya, but ingredients and warnings differ from product to product. Always read the packaging of the variety you’re buying.
Not necessarily. According to the product information, Damhert Nutrition Sprits Pure Chocolade contains polyols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. So, as well as the sugar information, take the ingredients and warnings into account when choosing.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need specialist sports bars. A spritz biscuit isn’t essential sports nutrition either; choose what to eat and drink based on your training session and your usual diet.
