Who is this choice relevant to?

Cyclists planning their carbohydrate intake for a longer ride

On a long, intense ride, you’ll want to count the carbohydrates in each biscuit and check whether the amount you plan to take with you is practical.

Leisure cyclists looking for a little snack

Before or after a short ride, you might want an everyday snack without mistaking a biscuit for essential sports nutrition.

Cyclists checking portions and allergens

You may want to portion out your biscuits in advance or carefully check the ingredients and possible traces listed on the current packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want an everyday snack or are planning your carbohydrate intake for a longer ride. Then check the nutritional value per portion and, if necessary, the allergen information on the packaging.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Carbohydrates for a long ride Check the carbohydrates per biscuit or portion and work out whether it’s practical to carry the number of biscuits you’ll need. For a longer, intense ride, I want to be able to count how many carbohydrates I’m taking with me. Around 44% of consumers give this kind of carbohydrate planning top priority.
A small, everyday snack Check the portion size and whether the pack contains several biscuits. On a short, leisurely ride, I might want a little something to eat if I get hungry, without treating it as sports nutrition. For around 33% of consumers, an everyday snack comes first.
Portions and allergens Check the nutritional information per portion and read the ingredients and possible traces listed on the current packaging. If I want to measure out biscuits precisely or need to watch the ingredients, I want to know what’s in my portion. Checking portions and allergens is the main concern for around 23% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming one spritz biscuit is enough for a long ride

    According to Verkade, one Nobo Sprits Original contains 10.4 g of carbohydrates. That’s less than the 30 to 60 g of fast-absorbing carbohydrates per hour recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre for endurance exercise lasting 1 to 2.5 hours. The carbohydrates in a spritz biscuit aren’t automatically equivalent to fast-absorbing carbohydrates.

    Check the nutritional information and, before setting off, work out whether the number of biscuits you plan to take will suit your needs and be comfortable to eat.

  • Eating a large portion just before setting off

    Verkade lists 4.81 g of fat per Nobo Sprits Original. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion or foods high in fat just before exercise, as they can stay in your stomach for longer.

    Before an intense ride, avoid a large portion you haven’t tried before. Test a small portion first on a less demanding ride.

  • Relying on an old product photo if you have an allergy

    The ingredients and warnings on the packaging you buy may differ from those shown in an image you saw earlier. For example, Albert Heijn lists wheat and milk in Verkade Nobo Sprits Original, and warns that it may contain traces of nuts, soya, sesame seeds and egg.

    Every time you buy them, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’ll actually be taking with you.

  • Assuming a pack of biscuits is a single, individually packed cycling portion

    The spritz biscuit varieties discussed here are sold in packs containing several biscuits. So taking one pack with you doesn’t tell you how many biscuits you’ll eat during your ride.

    Measure out a portion at home and pack it securely in a dry container if you want to eat the biscuits on the way.

Brands compared

Verkade

Nobo Sprits Original is a spritz biscuit variety for which Verkade lists the nutritional values per biscuit.

  • According to Verkade, one Nobo Sprits Original contains 10.4 g of carbohydrates and 89 kcal, making it possible to count your intake per biscuit.
  • Nobo Sprits Original contains wheat and milk. Also check the current packaging for possible traces.

Jumbo

Jumbo Roomboter Spritsen provides nutritional information per 12 g portion.

  • For each 12 g portion, Jumbo lists 6.8 g of carbohydrates and 59 kcal, among other values.
  • This variety contains wheat, milk and egg. Check the packaging for information about possible traces, too.

PLUS

PLUS Spritsen is described as a 175 g pack, with nutritional values given per 100 g.

  • PLUS lists 57.7 g of carbohydrates per 100 g and provides ingredient and allergen information.
  • If you want to measure out an exact amount per biscuit, you’ll need to work out the portion yourself based on its weight.

Biscotto

ALDI describes Biscotto Roomboterspritsen as a pack of 12 biscuits weighing 175 g.

  • The stated count of 12 makes it easier to portion out a set number of biscuits in advance.
  • If you’re considering this variety for a measured cycling portion, use the nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging.

Spritz biscuits on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a spritz biscuit or an energy bar on a short bike ride?

No. A spritz biscuit doesn’t need to be sports nutrition on a short ride; you can think of it as an everyday snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most people who exercise don’t need energy bars or sports gels, though carbohydrate intake can become relevant during longer endurance exercise.

Does one spritz biscuit provide enough carbohydrates for an hour of cycling?

According to Verkade, one Verkade Nobo Sprits Original provides 10.4 g of carbohydrates. On its own, that doesn’t meet the 30 to 60 g of fast-absorbing carbohydrates per hour recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre for endurance exercise lasting 1 to 2.5 hours. For other spritz biscuit varieties, check the value per biscuit or portion; don’t automatically compare the total amount with fast-absorbing carbohydrates.

When should I avoid eating a large portion of spritz biscuits?

A large portion isn’t an obvious choice just before an intense ride. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion or foods high in fat just before exercise. Try a small portion first on a less demanding ride.

Which allergens should I check in spritz biscuits?

Always check the ingredients and possible traces listed on the current packaging for the variety you’re buying. Verkade Nobo Sprits Original contains wheat and milk; Albert Heijn lists possible traces of nuts, soya, sesame seeds and egg for this product. Other varieties may have different ingredients.