People who exercise and have little time before a workout
You’re considering a small snack just before your workout and don’t want to automatically use a biscuit as a substitute for a regular meal. The first thing to consider is when you last ate.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who exercise and want to manage their portions
You want to fit in a sweet biscuit treat, so you compare the portion size and nutritional information for plain and chocolate spritz biscuits rather than judging by the name alone.
Shoppers who need to consider allergens
You check the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces for the variety you choose. Wheat, milk, soya, nuts and sesame may need your attention; the information on each pack can vary.
What to look for in spritz biscuits before exercise
First, consider how your biscuit treat fits around your meal and workout. Then compare the portion size and ingredients of the spritz biscuits you’re thinking of buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Timing before your workout | Think about when you last ate and how long you have until your workout; don’t treat a biscuit as a substitute for a drink. | If I have time before exercising, I don’t want to replace my regular meal and drink with a biscuit without thinking it through. This preparation is the top priority for an estimated 50% of consumers. |
| Portion size and nutritional value | Compare energy, carbohydrates and fat per 100 g and for the amount you’ll actually eat. | When I fancy a sweet biscuit, I want to know what I’ll get in each biscuit, not just what the label says per 100 g. Portion size is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and check the allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the pack. | If I have a relevant allergy, I also want to check for possible traces before choosing spritz biscuits. This check is the deciding factor for an estimated 17% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of a chocolate spritz biscuit as essential sports nutrition
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary food and drink are enough for most people who exercise. An average 20 g chocolate spritz biscuit contains 108 kcal, 6,1 g of fat and 3,8 g of saturated fat, according to the Centre; that doesn’t mean you need one for your workout.
First, plan your regular meal and drinks around your workout. Choose a biscuit only if you deliberately want to fit in a biscuit treat.
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Using the nutritional values for a different product
An average value for chocolate spritz biscuits doesn’t automatically apply to the biscuits in your pack. Stated portion sizes can also vary from product to product.
Check the nutritional information for your chosen variety per 100 g, then work out how much you’ll actually eat.
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Relying on the product name alone to check for allergens
Ingredients and warnings about possible traces can vary between spritz biscuit varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises the importance of allergen information on the label.
If you have a relevant allergy, check the current packaging before buying and eating the biscuits, including any information about possible traces.
Brands to compare
Verkade
Verkade makes plain and milk chocolate varieties of Nobo Sprits. Compare the information for each variety rather than judging the brand as a whole.
- Albert Heijn lists a portion of around 16,8 g for Nobo Sprits Original, along with nutritional information per 100 g.
- The ingredients in Nobo Sprits Melk don’t necessarily apply to the plain variety. If you have an allergy, check the label on the pack you’ve chosen.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells AH Choco spritsen and also provides product information for Verkade Nobo Sprits Original.
- For AH Choco spritsen, Albert Heijn lists a 180 g pack and a 36 g portion, as well as ingredients and nutritional information.
- Product information can change, so check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you buy.
ALDI
ALDI lists biscuits and chocolate in its range. Choose a specific spritz biscuit variety based on the information on its pack.
- The range gives you a starting point for looking at biscuit products.
- Only compare a spritz biscuit with other products once you can check the portion size, ingredients and nutritional information for that variety.
Spritz biscuits on Joybuy
This milk chocolate spritz biscuit suits a deliberately measured biscuit treat before exercise, not as a replacement for a regular meal.
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Verkade Nobo Spritzed Milk Chocolate, 150 g
For anyone deliberately choosing a milk chocolate spritz biscuit as a treat and wanting to decide how much to eat.
Pack size: 150 g. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the amount you eat, and check the current allergen information on the pack too.
Frequently asked questions
Are spritz biscuits a go-to pre-exercise snack?
No, spritz biscuits aren’t essential sports nutrition. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a regular meal about 2 to 3 hours before exercise, with around 500 ml of fluid; ordinary food and drink are enough for most people who exercise. Think of a spritz biscuit as a treat you’ve chosen deliberately, not as a substitute for that preparation.
When do carbohydrates matter during exercise?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, carbohydrates can be relevant during prolonged, intense exercise: more than an hour of exercise with a lot of sweating. That doesn’t automatically make a spritz biscuit a suitable choice before your workout; consider when you eat and drink separately from the name of the snack.
Which allergens should I check in spritz biscuits?
Check the ingredients and possible traces for the specific variety. For Verkade Nobo Sprits Original, Albert Heijn lists milk and wheat, among other ingredients, and warns that nuts and sesame may be present. For AH Choco spritsen, Albert Heijn lists milk, wheat and soya, among other ingredients. Always check the current packaging.
How should I store spritz biscuits after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on your pack and seal it properly after opening. Albert Heijn recommends storing Verkade Nobo Sprits Original in a cool, dry place in a sealed pack; for AH Choco spritsen, it recommends storing them somewhere cool, dark and dry.