People short on time before a workout
You’re thinking of having a little something to eat before you exercise. In that case, how much you take matters more than the size of the bag.
A 500 g bag of taaitaai biscuits can be handy for sharing with a group, but choose your own portion separately from the bag size and keep it small if you’re eating shortly before exercise. A smaller bag is more practical if you want to carry less; if you have allergies, always check the label of the variety you choose.
You’re thinking of having a little something to eat before you exercise. In that case, how much you take matters more than the size of the bag.
You’re buying taaitaai biscuits for a team, office or household and want to share the contents between several people or occasions. Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI list 500 g bags.
You’re choosing based on the ingredients in the exact variety, not just the name taaitaai. Even if a variety is labelled gluten-free, you still need to check the label for other allergens.
First decide when and how much you want to eat, then choose a size to share. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the label before choosing between packs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Timing and portion | Check the portion size on the label and decide in advance how much to take from the bag. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise. | If I’m having something shortly before my workout, I don’t want to take a large portion from a sharing bag. An estimated 40% of consumers prioritise when they eat and the size of their own portion. |
| Size for sharing | Compare the net weight with the number of people eating or occasions you have in mind. Sizes include 500 g bags and a 250 g variety from PLUS. | When I’m buying for a group, I want to share the contents between several people or occasions. An estimated 30% of consumers prioritise being able to share the contents. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the exact variety; don’t rely on a label such as gluten-free alone. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what’s in this variety. An estimated 20% of consumers put checking allergens first. |
| Seasonal availability | Check shortly before buying whether your chosen taaitaai biscuits and pack size are available at your shop. | If I want to take taaitaai biscuits with me for a planned occasion, I want to know whether my chosen pack is available. An estimated 10% of consumers consider current availability the most important factor. |
The pack size doesn’t tell you how much you’ll want to eat just before a workout. Having a large amount at that point may feel uncomfortable.
Divide the bag in advance and take only the portion you’ve chosen for that occasion.
Ingredients vary between varieties. A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you which other allergens the product contains.
Check the label on the exact pack every time you buy, even if you recognise the product name.
Taaitaai biscuits are also sold as part of St Nicholas and other seasonal ranges. Availability of the pack you want may therefore depend on when you shop.
Check your shop’s current range. If you need ingredient or nutritional information, check the pack in store too.
Albert Heijn lists a 350 g bag of AH taaitaai and a 2-pack. According to Albert Heijn, the 2-pack is supplied as separate items.
Jumbo lists 500 g bags of Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes and another variety of taaitaai.
PLUS lists 250 g bags of traditional taaitaai and 500 g bags of mini taaitaai.
ALDI lists 500 g bags of taai-taai as part of its St Nicholas range.
Dirk lists 500 g packs of its own-brand 1 de Beste mini taai-taai and groups seasonal sweets separately.
Lidl uses mini taai-taai in its recipes. For ingredients, allergens and nutritional information about food products, Lidl Netherlands refers customers to the packaging or recommends making a specific enquiry, rather than providing an online product list.
If you want to eat taaitaai biscuits shortly before exercise, choose a small portion rather than taking a large amount from a sharing bag. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a regular meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise; take into account when you last ate.
No, taaitaai biscuits aren’t a necessary pre-workout snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most people who exercise don’t need sports drinks, bars or gels. Decide whether you want something to eat based on your usual mealtimes.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you bought. For AH Taai taai, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark, dry place and keeping the contents in a sealed tin after opening.
Yes, allergen information must be provided on the label of pre-packed food. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists 14 allergens; check the label of the specific taaitaai product you’re buying.
No, don’t assume it’s gluten-free based on the product name. Regular AH Taai taai contains rye and wheat, while Consenza Taai taai poppetjes is labelled gluten-free. Check the full ingredients and allergen information on the current pack of either variety.