Sportspeople who want to take a sweet biscuit with them
You’re looking for a snack you can pop into your gym bag without any preparation, rather than a product made specifically for exercise.
Who is this relevant to?
Sportspeople who plan when they eat
You want to think about how long it will be between your snack and your training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion or a product high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise.
Shoppers who compare labels carefully
If ingredients, allergens or nutritional values influence your choice, check the exact packaging. These details can vary between ordinary kano pastries and other chocolate biscuits.
What should you look for when choosing?
Ordinary kano pastry
A good fit if: you want to take a sweet pastry filled with almond paste with you.
Keep in mind: the portion size and ingredients. An ordinary kano pastry isn’t necessarily suitable as a snack before every training session.
Chocolate-coated biscuit
A good fit if: you’re mainly looking for a biscuit with a chocolate coating and its label meets your needs.
Keep in mind: the filling, portion size and ingredients may differ. Don’t assume the information for an ordinary kano pastry applies.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Taking it with you and portioning | Check the number of portions, the weight of each piece and the storage instructions. | I want to take one biscuit with me without treating the whole pack as a snack. For around 40% of consumers, a manageable portion is the priority. |
| Timing around your training session | Consider how long there is between eating and exercising. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and products high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise. | If I’m training shortly afterwards, I want to choose something that feels comfortable to eat. Around 30% of consumers give the timing of their snack the highest priority. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion, and read the allergen declaration for the variety you choose. | When ingredients or allergens determine my choice, I want to be able to check the exact packaging. For around 30% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming an ordinary kano pastry is chocolate-coated
A chocolate-coated biscuit may have a different filling, portion size and allergen list from an ordinary kano pastry.
Check that the packaging or product page explicitly mentions both a chocolate coating and the product type you want.
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Treating the whole pack as one snack
Albert Heijn lists six 45 g portions for its butter kano pastries; Jumbo lists five 55 g portions for its kano pastries.
Decide how many pieces you want to take with you and compare the nutritional information per portion.
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Checking allergens only on the front of the pack
The ingredients listed and any warnings may vary between kano pastries and chocolate biscuits.
Check the ingredients list and allergen declaration on the exact packaging, especially if you’re swapping one product for another variety.
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Using a sweet biscuit as your go-to sports food
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most sportspeople don’t need special sports bars or protein products. A large or high-fat snack may also feel less comfortable just before exercise.
Choose a biscuit as a snack at a time that suits you; don’t automatically use it as a replacement for food and drink around your training session.
Brands of ordinary kano pastries to compare
These product ranges can help you compare ordinary kano pastries; their features don’t necessarily apply to a chocolate-coated biscuit.
Albert Heijn
According to Albert Heijn, AH Roomboter kano's are butter pastries made with 41% almond paste, in a 270 g pack.
- Albert Heijn lists portion sizes, ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- These are ordinary kano pastries, not a confirmed chocolate-coated variety. Check the packaging for the latest information.
Jumbo
According to Jumbo, Jumbo Kano's met Roomboter are butter pastries made with 38% almond paste, in a 275 g pack.
- Jumbo lists five 55 g portions and provides nutritional and allergen information.
- The product description doesn’t confirm a chocolate coating.
PLUS
PLUS describes its 275 g Roomboter kano's as butter pastries with almond paste and an almond decoration.
- The product information lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- The Nutri-Score E shown applies to these ordinary kano pastries and, by itself, doesn’t tell you whether the pastry suits your snacking occasion.
Heerlijck Banket
ALDI describes Heerlijck Banket kano pastries as pastries shaped like canoes, in a 330 g pack.
- The product description makes the product type and pack size clear.
- If allergens or a chocolate coating influence your choice, check the exact packaging.
Sondey
Lidl describes Sondey Kano's as butter pastries filled with almond paste, in a 325 g pack.
- The product description names the filling and pack size.
- These are ordinary kano pastries. Check the packaging of the product you choose for nutritional and allergen information.
Chocolate biscuits as an alternative on Joybuy
These biscuits and biscuit snacks are options if you want to take something chocolatey in your gym bag; they are not confirmed chocolate-coated kano pastries.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits 150 g
An option if you’re looking for a milk chocolate biscuit rather than a kano pastry. The pack contains 150 g; check the portion size and allergens on the label to see if it suits your snacking occasion.
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Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate 10 × 12,5 g
An alternative if you fancy chocolate and pistachio, rather than a kano pastry filling. The product name lists ten 12,5 g portions; check the allergen declaration on the packaging.
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Glico Pocky Cookie Bar Chocolate Flavor 47 g IN
An option if you want to take a chocolate-flavoured biscuit snack with you rather than a kano pastry. The product name lists 47 g; check the exact format and nutritional information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat a kano pastry just before exercise?
It depends on your portion size and how long you have before your training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion or a product high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise. Also consider what feels comfortable for you.
Do I need a kano pastry or a protein bar after strength training?
A kano pastry isn’t a dedicated recovery product, and most sportspeople don’t need a protein bar. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most sportspeople can get enough protein from their usual diet.
Which allergens should I check in kano pastries?
Always check the allergen declaration for the exact variety. The Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS kano pastries described here contain ingredients including wheat, milk, egg, soya and almond; additional warnings may also vary by pack.