Choose taaitaai for your gym bag primarily as a sweet treat. If you want to eat some before exercising, keep the portion small and think about when you have it. After exercise, taaitaai on its own is not a substitute for something that also provides protein. If you need to avoid gluten or certain allergens, check the label on the pack you buy.
For a treat, taste, texture and presentation can all influence your choice. Van Delft describes its taaitaai biscuits as flavoured with aniseed and spices, and also offers gift assortments that include taaitaai. This does not indicate whether it is suitable as sports nutrition.
If you get hungry shortly before a workout, portion size and timing matter more than luxurious packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion just before exercise.
Choose a product specifically labelled gluten-free, and check the other ingredients and allergens on the current label too. For example, the product information for Consenza Taai Taai Poppetjes lists oats and almonds.
First decide whether you want to eat the taaitaai as a treat or before exercise. If you need to avoid gluten or allergens, checking the specific packaging takes priority over choosing based on taste or presentation.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and occasion | Consider which flavour and type of packaging you want. Van Delft describes its taaitaai biscuits as flavoured with aniseed and spices, and offers gift assortments too. | I mainly want something tasty to take out of my bag after exercise, so I choose based on taste or presentation. This treat occasion comes first for around 45% of consumers. |
| Portion size and timing | Choose a portion you can decide on in advance, and think about when you want to eat it before your workout. | If I get hungry before a workout, I want a small bite rather than starting with a large portion. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Check for a gluten-free label if needed, as well as the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. | I need to know whether this particular taaitaai is suitable for my dietary needs; a gluten-free label does not answer every question about allergens. Around 22% of consumers give this check top priority. |
A sweet biscuit does not automatically provide protein. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating something containing protein and carbohydrates after exercise, or having a suitable meal.
If you want to eat after your workout, make taaitaai just one part of what you bring at most, and choose something else that meets your nutritional needs too.
The product information for Consenza Taai Taai Poppetjes lists oats and almonds. Albert Heijn lists milk and lupin as allergens in Maître Mathis Taai taai glutenvrij, and also warns that it may contain nuts, sesame seeds and eggs.
Each time you buy, read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the packaging of the product you choose.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion just before exercise. What feels comfortable can also vary from person to person.
If you want to eat something before exercising, bring a small portion and allow enough time before your workout.
An option if you’re looking for traditional taaitaai biscuits or a gift assortment.
A standard taaitaai option if you’re not looking for a specific gift pack.
A taaitaai option sold by retailers as gluten-free.
Another taaitaai option sold as gluten-free, with allergen information that deserves particular attention.
A small portion may be suitable if you’re hungry before exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion just before physical activity. It also recommends being mindful of foods high in fat, protein or dietary fibre at that point, so check the packaging for the taaitaai you choose.
No. Don’t automatically treat taaitaai as a complete post-workout snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating something containing protein and carbohydrates after exercise, or having a suitable meal. Choose what you bring accordingly.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing taaitaai in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly closed container. Check the storage advice on the packaging too, and make sure the pack stays intact when you put it in your gym bag.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information is shown on the label of pre-packed products. Read the label on the pack you buy; a gluten-free label does not rule out other allergens.
For one portion chosen in advance, an individually wrapped amount is more practical than a sharing pack. Van Delft offers gift assortments containing taaitaai alongside other sweets. Check the ingredients of each item and decide what you actually want to take with you.
