Cyclists setting off after breakfast or lunch
You want to plan a portion without having to eat a large meal just before setting off. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating a meal around two to three hours before exercising.
Who is this relevant to?
Anyone planning lunchboxes or something to share
You want to portion out the sprinkles in advance without taking a large pack with you. Individual portions, such as De Ruijter Kleintjes, make it clear how much everyone gets; also check which varieties are included.
Households that use chocolate sprinkles regularly
You’re looking for a pack for repeated use at home. The pack size, flavour, allergens and best-before date will help you decide whether a larger size suits your household.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide when you’ll eat the rusks and whether the sprinkles will mainly stay at home or need to come with you. Then compare the portions, the type of rusk and the labels on both products.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Especially useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Timing before your ride | Choose an amount that suits your planned meal or snack; arrange drinks separately. | If I’m cycling soon after eating, I don’t want to have a large portion just before setting off. This planning is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Sharing and taking with you | Check whether the portions are individually wrapped and look at the contents per portion and per variety. | For a lunchbox or shared breakfast, I want to be able to portion out the sprinkles in advance. Around 25% of consumers say that being able to share them is their priority. |
| Stocking up at home | Compare the pack size and flavour; also check the best-before date and storage instructions. | If we use them regularly at home, I want to choose a pack my household will finish. This need to stock up comes first for around 17% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and ingredients | Read the nutritional information for the sprinkles and check the ingredients and allergens in both the sprinkles and the rusks. Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt if that matters to your choice. | I want to know what both products contain before choosing a combination, especially if I need to avoid an ingredient. For around 25% of consumers, checking the labels is the most important factor. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of chocolate sprinkles as complete cycling fuel
The Voedingscentrum says chocolate sprinkles are high in sugar and saturated fat. Rusks with chocolate sprinkles alone don’t cover your food and drink needs around a ride.
Think of them as part of a meal or snack, and work out separately what you’ll need before and during your ride.
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Assuming a product contains iodine based on its name
Baker’s salt contains iodine, but the Voedingscentrum says bakers aren’t required to use it. So the word ‘rusks’ doesn’t tell you which salt was used in the product.
For packaged rusks, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt; ask the seller about unwrapped products.
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Treating an assortment as a single variety of sprinkles
De Ruijter Kleintjes contains different varieties and portion sizes, so the ingredients may vary between individual packs.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for each variety before sharing portions with others.
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Looking only at the size of a large pack
A larger pack won’t necessarily suit a household that doesn’t use much in the way of chocolate sprinkles. The best-before date and storage method also matter.
Choose a size you expect to finish and follow the storage instructions on the pack.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Its range includes Kleintjes with eight individual portions and a 390 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles, as listed by Albert Heijn.
- Kleintjes contains four 15 g portions and four 20 g portions, making it easy to portion out in advance.
- Kleintjes contains different varieties; check the ingredients and allergens for each one.
Venz
Its range includes Venz XXL milk chocolate sprinkles in a 380 g pack, as listed by Jumbo.
- For this XXL variety, Jumbo lists 15 g of carbohydrates per 20 g portion, of which 14 g are sugars.
- The listed XXL variety contains milk, soya and lactose; check the label of the variety you buy.
Albert Heijn
The rusk range includes plain and wholemeal varieties.
- You can choose the type of rusk separately from the chocolate sprinkles.
- Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact pack; varieties aren’t interchangeable.
Jumbo
Its range includes plain rusks in packs of 13 and various pack sizes of Venz sprinkles.
- The plain rusks come in a clearly stated pack size of 13.
- The listed Jumbo plain rusks contain wheat, egg and gluten; also check the pack for warnings about other allergens.
Lidl
Lidl lists De Ruijter milk chocolate sprinkles, 390 g, as an in-store product.
- The listed variety comes in a 390 g pack.
- Check your local range and the label on the pack.
ALDI
ALDI’s range includes Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles, 600 g, and 300 g Sprinkles varieties.
- These pack sizes give you a choice of different quantities.
- Check the flavour, ingredients and best-before date for each variety.
Chocolate sprinkles for home use on Joybuy
These products are toppings for anyone who wants to make rusks with chocolate sprinkles at home; you’ll need to choose the rusks separately. If you need individually wrapped portions for a lunchbox, check the packaging before buying.
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Venz chocolate and vanilla sprinkles 400 g
For anyone who wants a chocolate and vanilla-flavoured topping at home.
400 g pack. Check whether it contains individual portions if you want to take the topping with you or share it out.
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Venz Milk Sprinkles 380 g
For anyone looking for milk chocolate sprinkles to use regularly at home.
380 g pack. If you’re buying them for a lunchbox, check whether the portions are individually wrapped.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g
For anyone who wants to use chocolate chunks as a topping at home instead of traditional chocolate sprinkles.
390 g pack. Check the packaging if you’re looking for individual portions to take with you.
Frequently asked questions
Are rusks with chocolate sprinkles suitable for every bike ride?
No, they aren’t a complete solution for every ride. They’re more practical as part of a planned meal or snack before setting off than as crisp rusks to eat while cycling. For longer rides, plan what to eat and drink separately.
Can I eat a large portion just before setting off?
A large portion just before setting off may not feel comfortable. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating a meal around two to three hours before exercising. If you eat closer to your ride, consider the portion size and what you can comfortably manage.
Do rusks always contain iodine because they’re made with baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the name alone. The Voedingscentrum says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt; for packaged rusks, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt.
Which allergens should I check in rusks with chocolate sprinkles?
Check both specific products, as rusks and chocolate sprinkles vary by variety. Jumbo lists wheat and egg, among other ingredients, in its plain rusks, while the listed Venz XXL milk chocolate sprinkles contain milk and soya. Also read any warnings on the packs you buy.