Who is this choice relevant to?

Gift buyer looking for something to share

Wants a chocolate gift with different flavours or individually wrapped portions, rather than something specifically to eat while running.

Buyer looking for aniseed sprinkles

Wants a sweet topping for crispbread, bread, yoghurt or decoration, and doesn’t want to confuse it with a box of chocolates.

Marathon runner planning when to eat

Wants to decide what to eat and when around an endurance session. A gift box or sweet topping isn’t necessarily the right starting point for that decision.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for a gift, a sweet topping or something to eat around a training session. Then compare the packaging and nutritional information that matter for your purpose.

Box of chocolates

Best for: a gift the recipient can share or choose from to enjoy a range of flavours.

Keep in mind: a chocolate gift isn’t automatically suitable to eat just before a run.

Aniseed sprinkles

Best for: a gift or purchase intended as a sweet topping for crispbread, bread or decoration.

Keep in mind: sugar-coated aniseed isn’t the same as a box of chocolates or individually wrapped chocolate pieces.

Fuel for an endurance session

Best for: a choice focused first and foremost on what to eat and drink during a long training session, rather than on a gift.

Keep in mind: base your choice on when you’ll eat it, the portion size and what you can tolerate during training, rather than looking only at the carbohydrate content on the label.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Eating around training Check the portion size and nutritional values per 100 g, especially carbohydrates and fat, in relation to when you’ll eat it. If I’m going to eat just before a long run, I want to choose something that suits the timing and that I can tolerate during training. This training goal is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Gifting and sharing Check how many pieces are individually wrapped, the range of flavours and the allergens listed on the packaging you choose. I want to be able to share a chocolate gift without choosing the same flavour for everyone. This type of gift is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Choosing the right product type Check whether the pack contains aniseed sprinkles for topping or chocolate as a gift; if you have dietary restrictions, check the allergen information too. I’m looking for aniseed sprinkles for crispbread or decoration, not a box of chocolates. This specific use is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Treating aniseed sprinkles and chocolate gifts as the same product

    De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles are sugar-coated aniseed for toppings and decoration. A chocolate gift is a different type of product, suited to a different occasion.

    Before comparing brands, decide whether you’re looking for a sweet topping, a chocolate gift or something to eat around a training session.

  • Choosing a gift product as training fuel based on its carbohydrate content

    The carbohydrate content on a label doesn’t tell you on its own whether a product is suitable for eating before a run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating large portions or foods high in fat just before exercise.

    Pay attention to portion size and timing, and try out your choices during regular training sessions before a long run.

  • Assuming you know the allergens from the front of the pack

    Chocolate assortments can contain a range of ingredients and allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying, especially if you’re not sure what dietary restrictions the recipient has.

  • Assuming stock and delivery options from a search result

    A search result won’t tell you which delivery options are available for your order.

    Check the product page and the checkout for current stock and delivery options for your address.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

Worth considering if you’re looking for aniseed sprinkles for toppings or decoration, rather than a classic box of chocolates.

  • The Pink and White aniseed sprinkles included in the research are sugar-coated aniseed, suitable for bread and crispbread, among other things.
  • The product included in the research contains wheat and cereals containing gluten; check the packaging if you have a dietary restriction.

Merci

Worth considering for a chocolate gift to share, with milk and dark varieties.

  • The Merci Gift Box on Albert Heijn’s product page contains 32 individually wrapped chocolate bars in eight varieties.
  • The product information lists milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients. Check the label on the box you choose, including if it might be eaten just before a training session.

Tony's Chocolonely

Worth considering if you’re looking for a smaller chocolate gift with individually wrapped pieces.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the Tiny's gift box included in the research contains 22 individually wrapped pieces in ten flavours.
  • The product information lists milk, nuts, cereals containing gluten, egg and soya, among other ingredients; check the latest label if you have allergies.

Celebrations

Worth considering if you want to look at an assortment of chocolates for a gift or sharing occasion.

  • Albert Heijn features Celebrations assortment mixes and gift packs among its chocolate gifts.
  • Choose the specific pack before checking the ingredients and allergens; this information applies to the individual product.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a box of chocolates suitable just before a training run?

Not necessarily: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion just before exercise, and recommends avoiding foods high in fat, protein or fibre. According to Albert Heijn, the Merci Gift Box included in the research contains 36 g of fat per 100 g. So consider the portion size and when you’ll eat it, not just the carbohydrate content.

Are aniseed sprinkles the same as chocolates in a gift box?

No. The De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles included in the research are sugar-coated aniseed for bread, crispbread, yoghurt and decoration, among other things; a box of chocolates is intended as a chocolate gift. Choose based on what the recipient can actually use.

Which allergens should I check when giving food as a gift?

Check the allergen information on the specific pack before giving it to someone with a dietary restriction. The De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles included in the research contain wheat and cereals containing gluten; the product information for the Merci Gift Box included in the research lists milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients.

How should I store a box of chocolates after opening?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the box you choose. For the Merci pack included in the research, the product instructions say to store it in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight, heat and moisture.