A mini spritz biscuit can work as a measured treat around a training session, but it’s not necessarily a practical choice during a long, intensive run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating large portions or foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise, as they may cause digestive discomfort. So consider the timing, nutritional information and what you can tolerate during training.
During long, intensive training sessions, you’ll want to know whether a portable snack fits in with your eating and drinking routine. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says it’s also important to consider how food sits when you exercise; a small size alone doesn’t tell you much.
You’re looking for a small portion to have before or after a training session. In that case, the weight of the portion and the nutritional information are more useful than the word ‘mini’ on the packaging.
If wheat, milk or other allergens matter to you, check the current packaging for the variant you’ve chosen. Timing matters too if you find that a biscuit doesn’t sit well just before a run.
First, decide when you want to eat the spritz biscuit. Then compare the portion you’ve weighed out with the label: a mini size doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates or how much fat you’ll actually be eating.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Timing and stomach comfort | Check the fat content per 100 g and choose a portion and timing you can try out during training. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat just before exercise. | If I eat something shortly before an intensive long run, I want to consider what my stomach can tolerate. For around 42% of consumers, stomach comfort is likely to be the main consideration when choosing. |
| A portion you can measure | Compare the carbohydrates per 100 g or per stated portion, and weigh the amount you want to eat. Jumbo lists 25,8 g of carbohydrates per 40 g for Sprits Staafjes Mini, but doesn’t say how many biscuit sticks that portion contains. | When having a biscuit around a training session, I want to be able to weigh the amount rather than guess how much one stick weighs. Portion control is likely to come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the variant you’ve chosen; the Jumbo, Verkade and Albert Heijn spritz biscuits described here list wheat and milk. | When I choose a regular biscuit as a snack, I want to be able to check the ingredients and allergens. Around 25% of consumers are likely to consider the ingredients first. |
Jumbo lists 25 g of fat per 100 g for Sprits Staafjes Mini. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that foods high in fat may cause digestive discomfort just before exercise.
Judge the product by its ingredients and when you plan to eat it, not just by its size. Try a measured portion during a regular training session before relying on it for a long run.
Jumbo gives nutritional values for its mini spritz biscuit sticks per 100 g and per 40 g. Those portions don’t tell you how many carbohydrates are in one stick.
Weigh the amount you’re taking with you and use the nutritional information for that weight, or choose a product that lists the amount per piece.
Jumbo says on the page for Sprits Staafjes Mini 125 g that the product is no longer part of its online range.
Check current availability where you plan to shop. If you choose another product, compare its size, ingredients and nutritional values again.
Ingredients and possible traces vary between variants. The spritz biscuits described here contain wheat and milk; Albert Heijn also lists other possible allergens for its spritz biscuits.
When you buy, read the label for the exact variant you’ve chosen, including any statements about possible traces.
Jumbo Sprits Staafjes Mini 125 g is a specific mini spritz biscuit product.
Verkade Nobo Sprits Original and Nobo Sprits Melk are regular spritz biscuit variants, not confirmed mini sizes.
AH Spritsen are regular butter spritz biscuits, sold in a pack of 10 weighing 200 g.
Biscotto is ALDI’s own-brand pack of 12 butter spritz biscuits, with a total weight of 175 g.
It depends on when you eat them and how the biscuit sits while you’re running. Spritz biscuits contain fat, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises avoiding foods high in fat just before exercise because they may cause digestive discomfort. Try a small, measured portion during a training session before deciding whether you want to eat one on the go.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly stated on the labels of pre-packed foods. Check the current label for the specific spritz biscuit variant: the products described list wheat and milk, and some mention possible traces of other allergens.
Spritz biscuits aren’t a substitute for a varied diet during marathon training. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that people training for several hours a week for a marathon may need more carbohydrates, but also advises paying attention to other nutrients. So treat a spritz biscuit as an individual snack, not as a complete solution for eating and drinking around your training sessions.
