Choose individual snack boxes if you want to hand out or take along set portions; a larger bag is a better choice if you want to decide how much to take. According to the label information from Albert Heijn, a 14 g box of AH Hamsterchef Raisins provides 10.5 g of carbohydrates. Choose what and when to eat based on your ride and what you can comfortably tolerate: a lunchbox portion is not automatically a complete nutrition plan for a long ride.
You want to know how much to take, so you work out the carbohydrates per portion from its weight. Also consider how long and how hard you’ll be riding, and what you find comfortable to eat while exercising. Albert Heijn lists the portion and nutritional values for AH Hamsterchef Raisins; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides general advice on eating around exercise.
You want to hand out portions without weighing them every time. The snack boxes mentioned from Albert Heijn and Jumbo each contain 14 g, although the packs contain different numbers of portions.
You want to use one supply for different portion sizes and occasions. Product listings from ALDI, PLUS and Dirk mention 500 g or 375 g bags; with a larger bag, you decide how much to take.
First decide between pre-portioned snacks and weighing out your own portions. Then check the label information for the product you plan to take.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Convenient portions | Check the number of boxes and the weight of each one; more boxes do not automatically mean larger portions. | If I’m sharing portions between lunchboxes or with cycling companions, I want to know in advance how much is in each box. Around 31% of consumers put convenience of portioning first. |
| Carbohydrates per portion | Use the nutrition table for the exact product and work out the amount per box based on the portion weight. | For a ride, I want to be able to check how many carbohydrates I’m taking in each portion. Around 31% of consumers make this calculation their top priority. |
| Ingredients and tolerance | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging; consider portion size and timing separately. | If I have personal sensitivities, I want to check the packaging rather than assume that a small portion will automatically suit me. Around 23% of consumers give the most weight to ingredients and tolerance. |
| Stock and portioning it yourself | Check the total contents and storage advice; also consider whether you want to weigh out your own portions and need packaging for taking them with you. | If I need different portion sizes, I want to be able to adjust the amount and store the supply appropriately. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this flexibility. |
The size of a pack doesn’t tell you how much you need during a ride. For AH Hamsterchef Raisins, Albert Heijn lists 10.5 g of carbohydrates per 14 g box. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also points out that eating during exercise can be difficult.
Use the label values for the exact product, and tailor the amount and timing to your ride and other food.
The multipacks mentioned contain different numbers of boxes, while larger bags show the total weight. So compare the contents per portion and the total amount of fruit as well.
Check the weight of each box and the total contents before choosing a pack.
Portioning it yourself takes time and requires suitable packaging for taking it with you; individual boxes, on the other hand, limit how much you can adjust each portion.
A product name or certification doesn’t tell you whether the ingredients are suitable for your sensitivities. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives general advice on eating around exercise; an organic label doesn’t prove any difference in sporting performance or tolerance.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging, and consider portion size and when you eat it separately.
The product listing for AH Hamsterchef Raisins describes 10 snack boxes of 14 g, with a total weight of 140 g.
The raisin snack boxes mentioned are available in a pack of 14 x 14 g; the Woezel & Pip version lists 12 x 14 g and the EU organic logo.
The Dutch product listing mentions Belbake Raisins.
The product listing for Trader Joe's Raisins mentions a 500 g bag.
PLUS Sultana raisins are listed in a stand-up pouch of 375 g.
The product listing for 1 de Beste Sultana Raisins mentions a 375 g bag.
It varies by product. Albert Heijn lists 75 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for AH Hamsterchef Raisins, with a 14 g portion; that works out at 10.5 g per box. For other products, use their own nutrition table.
No. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 65 g of total sugars per 100 g for AH Hamsterchef Raisins. These are different figures on the label.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large meal or a large portion high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise, as this can cause stomach problems. This is advice about quantity and timing, not a general ban on raisins.
That depends on how you want to prepare your portions. Individual boxes come pre-portioned; with a larger bag, you decide how much to take, but you’ll need to weigh it and use packaging to take it with you. The larger bags mentioned from ALDI, PLUS and Dirk contain 500 g or 375 g.
Check the allergen information on the exact packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must appear on the label of prepacked products; sulphites are a legally recognised allergen that must be declared and may be used as a preservative in food.
