Who is this choice for?

Marathon runners looking to cut down on sugar

You’re looking for a chocolate spread with less sugar, but also want to know which ingredients it contains and whether it agrees with you before a long run.

Runners planning their pre-training breakfast

You start by choosing a meal that suits your training. Flakes are a topping for flavour, not the foundation of your carbohydrate intake.

Shoppers with specific ingredient requirements

You compare sprinkles per 100 g and check the latest ingredients and allergen information, including details about soya or milk.

What should you look for?

First decide what role the topping will play in your breakfast. Then compare the nutritional information for products in the same category per 100 g.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Less sugar Compare sugars per 100 g and check whether you’re buying chocolate flakes or hagelslag. I want to be able to check that the sugar content is lower, rather than relying on the product name. Around 46% of consumers prioritise a demonstrably lower sugar content.
Breakfast around training Consider when you’ll eat and how many carbohydrates your breakfast contains as a whole. For a long run, I want to plan my meal rather than rely on a topping. Around 36% of consumers give this breakfast choice top priority.
Product type and ingredients Check the product name, ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging. If I’m looking for the texture of flakes or need to avoid certain ingredients, that will determine which topping is right for me. This matters most to around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking hagelslag for chocolate flakes

    Albert Heijn describes Céréal Hagelslag Puur Minder Suikers as having less sugar than standard dark chocolate hagelslag. It isn’t a chocolate flakes product, so the format may not be what you’re looking for.

    Check the product name before comparing sugar levels or choosing a different type of topping.

  • Assuming ‘light’ means low in sugar

    The product name is no substitute for the nutrition table. Jumbo lists 78.5 g of sugars per 100 g for Chogal Boterhamvlokken licht and 56.0 g per 100 g for De Ruijter Royaal Chocoladevlokken.

    For each product, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and compare products in the same category.

  • Trying a new topping just before a long run

    Choosing based on sugar alone won’t tell you how you’ll tolerate the other ingredients during exercise. If a product contains sweeteners or polyols, it’s also worth checking the ingredients and any usage warnings.

    It’s better to try a new topping during a regular training period than for the first time just before a race.

  • Overlooking allergens because it’s only a topping

    Ingredients or allergen warnings can affect your choice of chocolate flakes, too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights that allergens must be listed on food labels.

    Check the current packaging every time you buy, including the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information.

Brands and supermarket own-label options compared

De Ruijter

De Ruijter Royaal is an example of chocolate flakes for anyone looking specifically for this product type.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists Royaal Chocoladevlokken as a separate product.
  • Jumbo lists 56.0 g of sugars per 100 g; don’t assume the flakes are a lower-sugar option without comparing them.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells dark chocolate flakes under its own name.

  • The product information lists a 300 g pack.
  • Jumbo lists 63.7 g of sugars per 100 g for these dark chocolate flakes.

PLUS

PLUS sells dark chocolate flakes labelled as a Fairtrade product.

  • The product listing is for a 300 g pack.
  • PLUS lists 63.8 g of sugars per 100 g; the Fairtrade label doesn’t mean the product has less sugar.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists 300 g milk chocolate flakes as a supermarket product.

  • The product name makes it clear that these are chocolate flakes.
  • Check the nutritional information and allergen details on the current packaging before comparing these flakes with other products.

ALDI / Kiekeboe

ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk and dark varieties, in 300 g packs.

  • The product name lets you distinguish between the milk and dark varieties.
  • Check the sugar content and allergen information on the packaging for your chosen variety; one variety’s details don’t tell you about the other.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate flakes suitable as fuel for marathon training on their own?

No. Don’t use them as a training meal on their own. The Voedingscentrum advises eating a proper meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise and says that getting enough carbohydrates is important for people training intensively for a marathon. Flakes can add flavour to that meal.

Is hagelslag with less sugar the same as low-sugar chocolate flakes?

No. Hagelslag and chocolate flakes are different product types. Albert Heijn says Céréal Hagelslag Puur Minder Suikers contains 88% less sugar than standard dark chocolate hagelslag; that doesn’t make it a chocolate flakes product. If you want to use it before a long run, check the ingredients and any warnings, too.

How do I compare the sugar content of chocolate flakes?

Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for products in the same category. The Voedingscentrum recommends comparing food labels per 100 g. Also check the ingredients list if you want to know which sources of sugar or sweeteners have been used.

What should I look for if I’m allergic to soya or milk?

Before buying, check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on food labels. Always check the current packaging when choosing a product.