People who want to take a small snack with them just before heading out
If you’d rather not open a larger pack each time, check whether each biscuit has its own wrapper. Also check how many biscuits make up one portion.
Who are these packs useful for?
People who want a larger, softer snack
An individually wrapped slice of ontbijtkoek or a gingerbread snack is different from a small speculoos biscuit. Compare the portion sizes and think about what you’d prefer to eat around your workout.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
The brand name or type of packaging doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in a particular variant. Always read the current label, including the allergen information and any statement about possible cross-contamination.
What should you look for when choosing?
Thinking of taking a wrapped biscuit with you before exercise? First decide what portion you want to take. Then consider when you’ll be training, check the label and think about how much you want to keep at home.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| One portion per pack | Check whether ‘individually wrapped’ really means one biscuit per wrapper, and how many biscuits are in each inner pack. | If I want to take one biscuit with me, I don’t want to have to open a bag containing several. For around 36% of consumers, a separately sealed portion is the main priority. |
| Portion around your workout | Compare the weight per portion and distinguish between a small biscuit, a slice and a bag containing several biscuits. | Someone who wants a small snack just before heading out won’t necessarily choose the same amount as someone taking a slice earlier in the day. For an estimated 29% of consumers, portion size around workout time is their main concern. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional information for the exact variant. | If I have a relevant allergy or dietary preference, I want to know what’s in this particular biscuit, whatever the front of the pack says. Around 21% of consumers make checking the label their top priority. |
| Pack size | Compare the number of individual portions and the total contents of the pack. | If I only take a biscuit with me now and then, I don’t want a box that’s mainly suited to sharing. The right pack size is the biggest consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a multipack contains individually wrapped biscuits
An outer pack may contain several small bags, with more than one biscuit in each bag. For example, Jumbo says that Lotus Biscoff Chocolate Speculoos biscuits are packed three to a bag.
Before choosing which portion to take with you, check how many biscuits are in each inner pack.
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Thinking of a biscuit as a regular meal replacement
A small snack and a meal serve different purposes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a proper meal around two to three hours before exercise and points out that a large meal just before physical activity can cause stomach discomfort.
Plan your meal separately from any biscuit you might take with you, and bear in mind what feels comfortable for you around exercise.
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Relying only on a claim on the front of the pack
A claim such as ‘less sugar’, ‘vegan’ or ‘source of fibre’ relates to a specific quality of a specific variant. It doesn’t tell you how much you’ll eat at a time or which allergens may be relevant to you.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Inner pack sizes vary considerably across the range: Albert Heijn lists a dispenser with 150 individually wrapped biscuits, while Jumbo says the chocolate variant comes with three biscuits per inner pack.
- An individually wrapped biscuit suits anyone who wants to take one small portion with them.
- The dispenser is a large pack, so check whether three biscuits per pack is the right portion for you if you choose the chocolate variant. The dispenser’s ingredient information lists wheat and soya.
Peijnenburg
Jumbo lists the pearl sugar ontbijtkoek as a four-pack of individually wrapped slices. Joybuy lists 36 g slices for this product range.
- A wrapped slice is a clearly defined option for anyone who’d prefer to take ontbijtkoek rather than small biscuits.
- The pearl sugar variant lists rye and gluten-containing cereals, and may contain nuts and milk. Check the current label of the variant you’re buying.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI lists packs containing six individually wrapped gingerbread snacks, including spiced and ontbijtkoek variants.
- Six individually wrapped biscuits make for a smaller stock-up than a dispenser containing 150.
- Different variants don’t necessarily have the same ingredients or nutritional information. Check the pack you’ve chosen rather than relying on a claim made for a different variant.
Biscuits and biscuit bars at Joybuy
These wafers, biscuits and biscuit bars are options to consider when choosing a portion to take with you. For some products, the outer pack doesn’t tell you how many biscuits you’ll get in each inner pack; check this if you want to take exactly one small snack.
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NABATI Strawberry Wafer, 12 × 27 g
If you’d like to take a portion of wafers with you, the pack lists 12 × 27 g. Check the nutritional information on the current pack before comparing nutritional values.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 biscuits, 200 g
An option if you’re looking for speculoos biscuits in smaller packs. The pack lists 8 biscuits and 200 g; check how many biscuits are in each inner pack to work out your snack portion.
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Ulker Halley Mini Biscuit, 3 × 77 g
For anyone who wants to take mini biscuits with them. The pack size is 3 × 77 g; check how many individual snack portions it contains, as 77 g isn’t necessarily the weight of one biscuit.
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Oreo Raspberry & Blueberry Flavor Sandwich Cookies, 97 g, 2 packs
If you want to take two individually wrapped biscuit portions with you, this pack contains two inner packs and has a total weight of 97 g. Check how many biscuits are in each pack.
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LU Time Out Cookie Bars, 140 g
A biscuit bar is a different kind of snack from an individual biscuit. The pack contains 140 g; if you’re looking for a measured portion, check how many bars there are and how much each one weighs.
Frequently asked questions
Can a wrapped biscuit replace my meal before exercise?
Not automatically: a biscuit is, at most, a small snack, not an obvious substitute for a meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a proper meal around two to three hours before exercise and warns that a large meal just before physical activity can cause stomach discomfort.
Is every biscuit in a multipack individually wrapped?
No, check how many biscuits are in each inner pack. Jumbo says Lotus Biscoff Chocolate Speculoos biscuits come three to a pack, while Albert Heijn lists a Lotus Biscoff dispenser containing 150 individually wrapped biscuits.
What should I check on the label if allergens matter?
Read the ingredients and clearly listed allergens on the current packaging of the exact variant. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the requirements for declaring allergens on labels. Also check for any ‘may contain’ statement if possible cross-contamination is relevant to you.
Does individually wrapped mean vegan or gluten-free?
No, the packaging tells you nothing about the ingredients or dietary properties. A claim for one variant doesn’t automatically apply to other biscuits from the same brand, so always check the label of the product you’re buying.