Heading to training without any preparation
If you want to grab a small snack on the go without weighing it out in advance, individual boxes are a practical option. Jumbo lists its Snoep Rozijntjes as 14 boxes of 14 g each.
Which packaging suits you?
A small snack just before exercise
Pay particular attention to how much you eat and what that portion contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise. This is general guidance on timing, not a test of a specific snack.
Preparing your own portions
If you can weigh out your own portions at home and decide how much to have, a larger bag of plain raisins is a more obvious choice than fixed snack boxes. AH and PLUS list raisins in their ingredient information.
What should you look for when choosing?
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience on the go | Check the number of individual packs and the weight per portion; a resealable bag is not automatically a single snack portion. | If I want to take something small with me without weighing it out first, I prefer a fixed portion; around 31% of consumers prioritise convenience on the go. |
| Portion size and timing | Check the nutritional information for the amount you actually eat, and look at fat, protein and fibre too. | Just before training, I want to know what my chosen portion contains and how much I’m eating; around 25% of consumers prioritise portion size and timing. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Compare total sugars with added sugars per 100 g and per portion you’ve weighed out yourself. | I want to be able to assess the ingredients and sugars alongside the rest of my diet; around 19% of consumers prioritise this information. |
| Preparing portions regularly | Compare the pack size and portion size, and consider weighing out and storing the portions yourself. | If I snack more often, I want to be able to prepare several portions from one pack; around 13% of consumers prioritise this practical approach. |
| Personal allergen requirements | Check the ingredients list and warnings about possible cross-contamination for the exact variety. | If I have a known allergy or sensitivity, I check the full packaging before choosing; around 12% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common pitfalls
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Treating a large pack as one snack portion
A 14 g box, a 200 g bag and a serving shown in a nutrition table each mean something different. The serving in the table is not automatically a recommended amount to eat before exercise.
Check the weight of an individual pack and decide for yourself how much you want to take with you.
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Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’
The AH and PLUS raisins reviewed contain no added sugars, but they do contain total sugars.
Read the ingredients and compare the total sugars per 100 g and per portion you weigh out yourself.
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Automatically choosing a fruit and nut mix just before exercise
A mix containing nuts has a different composition from dried fruit alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise; this doesn’t tell you how a particular variety will suit everyone.
Factor in the ingredients, portion size and timing when making your choice, and don’t treat a general snack claim as proof that a product is suitable.
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Assuming a familiar product name means it’s currently available
AH and Jumbo have marked specific older product listings as no longer in their ranges. This says nothing about another variety or whether it’s currently available.
Check the current product listing, and if there’s a recall notice, pay attention to the exact product and batch details.
Brands and varieties to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Raisins 250 g is a plain raisin variety that you can portion yourself.
- Albert Heijn lists raisins and sunflower oil, 80 g of carbohydrates per 100 g and a product serving of 50 g.
- The listed product serving isn’t general snack advice, and the information doesn’t automatically apply to other fruit mixes.
Jumbo
Snoep Rozijntjes Doosjes 14 Stuks is an example of individually packed portions to take with you.
- Jumbo lists 14 boxes of 14 g each, with nutritional information per box.
- The product information includes warnings about possible allergens; check the packaging for the exact product.
Lidl
Lidl lists Dried Fruit Mix as a product group in its fruit-mix range.
- The product listing offers an option to consider alongside plain raisins.
- Check the exact ingredients and portion size; the product name alone says nothing about its effect on exercise or nutritional suitability.
Aldi
ALDI lists plain raisins in a 500 g pack and a resealable 200 g pack in a separate product group.
- The packaging information distinguishes between a larger bag and a resealable pack.
- The product group mentioned includes different varieties; don’t assume they have the same composition.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana Raisins 375 g is a larger pack for anyone who wants to weigh out small portions themselves.
- PLUS lists raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients and advises storing the product in a cool, dry, dark place.
- The retailer warns that stalks and stones may be present; check the product information.
Dirk
Dirk lists, among other products, 375 g packs of sultana raisins and 750 g packs of raisins.
- The pack sizes listed offer options for different amounts to portion yourself.
- Packaging information doesn’t show that the varieties are nutritionally equivalent or improve sports performance.
Joybuy product picks
This selection of Joybuy products includes dried dates, dried loquat and dates with walnuts. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety with the amount you want to eat.
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Zohra Medjool dates (M), 908 g
A good fit if you want to choose your own portion from a larger pack; the product description calls the dates a snack and says they are pitted.
Pack size: 908 g. Keep the pack tightly sealed after opening.
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Bestore dried loquat with bamboo salt, 200 g
For anyone who wants to take nutritional values per serving into account when choosing dried fruit; the product description says it’s ready to eat.
Pack size: 200 g. Per 100 g: 74,6 g of carbohydrates and 66,2 g of sugars. The product description lists white sugar and sulphites, which is relevant if you have a personal sensitivity to sulphites.
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Sihong grey dates with walnuts, 208 g
A good fit if you’re looking for dates with walnuts; the product description lists both ingredients and describes it as a snack.
Pack size: 208 g. Contains walnuts. The description lists 32,7 g of fat per 100 g; bear the portion size in mind if eating it just before exercise.
Frequently asked questions
Is 20 g of dried fruit a required or ideal portion for exercise?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day as part of its general dietary guidance. This isn’t a legal limit or an established ideal amount to eat before every training session. When you eat it and what else you eat are still relevant.
Do you need to soak dried fruit before taking it with you?
The product information for Jumbo Snoep Rozijntjes Doosjes doesn’t say that soaking is required. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the variety you choose, as preparation advice isn’t necessarily the same for all dried fruit.
How should you store an opened pack or a snack you’ve portioned yourself?
Follow the storage advice on the current packaging. For the raisins reviewed, AH, Jumbo and PLUS advise storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. The recommended storage period after opening may vary by product.
What should you look for if you have an allergy or are sensitive to sulphites?
Check the ingredients list and the warning about possible cross-contamination on the exact packaging. Jumbo’s snack boxes may contain various nuts, milk and soya. Stichting Voedselallergie lists dried fruit as a product group in which sulphites may be present; that doesn’t mean every variety contains sulphites.
What should you do with the recalled Jumbo Snoeprozijntjes?
The recall reported by NU.nl on 14 November 2025 concerned products with EAN 8718452534326 and a best-before date of 28-07-2026. Don’t eat products from that specific batch, and follow the recall instructions for that product. The historical notice doesn’t mean that other batches or raisin products have been recalled.