You could consider ordinary taaitaai biscuits around your marathon training if you can fit the carbohydrates per portion into your nutrition plan, and the ingredients and timing work for you. A label such as ‘dark’ does not prove that a product has a high cocoa content: check the ingredients and, if it matters to your choice, the cocoa content of the exact variety. What’s more, the carbohydrates per biscuit do not tell you whether a larger quantity is practical or easy to tolerate while running.
You want to know how many carbohydrates each biscuit adds to your overall plan during longer training sessions. To work this out, compare the portion information on the packaging rather than looking only at the nutritional values per 100 g.
You don’t want to eat a large portion just before setting off. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that a large meal shortly before exercise can cause gastrointestinal problems, so try different timings and amounts during training to see what works for you.
For example, you may need to check for wheat, rye, milk or warnings about possible traces. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS shows why the label on the exact variety matters when making your choice.
When choosing taaitaai biscuits for marathon training, first decide what matters most to you: a measurable portion, timing or ingredients. Then check the nutritional information and packaging for the variety you want to buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates per portion | Compare portion size and carbohydrates per portion; Jumbo lists 11,1 g of carbohydrates per 14 g portion of Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes. | During a long training session, I want to be able to count how many carbohydrates I’m taking with me in each biscuit. Around 33% of consumers prioritise planning portions. |
| Tolerance and timing | Check the portion size and nutritional information for fat, protein and fibre, especially if you’re eating shortly before running. | I don’t want to eat a large portion just before running that could give me gastrointestinal problems. Around 42% of consumers prioritise timing and tolerance. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety, including warnings about possible traces. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check what’s in my biscuits. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking ingredients. |
A dark colour, packaging or search term doesn’t tell you how much cocoa a variety of taaitaai contains. Nor can you infer any difference in nutritional value or suitability for running from this alone.
Check the ingredients of the exact variety and see whether its cocoa content is listed before choosing it for this feature.
Jumbo lists 11,1 g of carbohydrates per 14 g portion of Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes. For endurance exercise lasting 1 to 2,5 hours, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses an intake of 30–60 g of easily absorbed carbohydrates per hour; this doesn’t automatically make taaitaai a practical or easy-to-tolerate choice while running.
Count the carbohydrates per portion as part of your overall food and drink plan, and try your chosen timing and amount during a training session.
The standard varieties described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat, rye and milk ingredients; warnings about possible traces vary by product. Product information may change.
Before eating, read the label on the exact pack you bought, including the allergen information and any warnings about traces.
These examples can help you compare the nutritional information for ordinary taaitaai biscuits. They don’t tell you anything about the cocoa content of another variety.
AH Taai taai is sold in a 350 g pack.
Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes is a 500 g pack of ordinary taaitaai biscuits.
PLUS sells, among other options, 500 g packs of Taai taai sint en piet and 250 g packs of Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken.
Don’t assume so without checking the portions and your overall food and drink plan. According to Jumbo, Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes contains 11,1 g of carbohydrates per 14 g portion; that figure doesn’t tell you whether you’ll find it comfortable to eat the amount you need while running. For endurance exercise lasting 1 to 2,5 hours, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses 30–60 g of easily absorbed carbohydrates per hour, but the carbohydrate content alone doesn’t confirm that taaitaai is suitable for this.
Choose a mealtime and portion you’ve tried during training, rather than eating a large amount just before setting off. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that a large meal shortly before exercise can cause gastrointestinal problems and also advises paying attention to foods high in fat, protein or fibre.
Always check the label on the exact variety: the standard products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS described here contain wheat, rye and milk ingredients, while warnings about possible traces vary. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the allergen information that must appear on labels; don’t rely on a generic product name or an old online shop description.
