A small portion of taaitaai can work as a pre-training snack, as long as you know how you tolerate it. Don’t assume taaitaai alone will fuel you through a long run: according to Voedingscentrum, your total carbohydrate intake and a hydration plan are important, while the 14 g portions listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo each provide around 11 g of carbohydrates.
If you want to eat while you’re on the move, the amount of carbohydrate in each piece isn’t the only thing that matters. You also need to be comfortable with taaitaai’s firm texture and consider what you’ll drink alongside it. Voedingscentrum treats food and drink during prolonged exercise as part of the same plan.
For a small pre-training snack, the actual portion size and your own experience of eating just before running are both relevant. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list a 14 g portion of taaitaai; the portion shown on the label may not match the piece you choose.
If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, the ingredients and allergen information will determine whether a particular variety is suitable. The standard taaitaai from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists cereals containing gluten and milk; always check the packaging of the product you buy.
First, distinguish between a small snack before setting off and food you want to take with you on a long run. Then check the portion size on the label and the allergens in your chosen variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates during your run | Check the carbohydrates per piece or portion, and consider whether the number of pieces and your fluid intake fit with what you’ve practised during training. Voedingscentrum recommends 30 to 60 g of carbohydrates per hour during prolonged exercise. | On a long run, I want to be able to eat and drink without relying on one biscuit as my entire fuelling plan. This is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| A snack before setting off | Compare the stated portion with the piece you actually want to eat; also check the fat and fibre per portion. | Just before a training session, I’m looking for something small that I’ve already tried eating before a run. This is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging of this specific variety. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the taaitaai I’ve chosen first. This check is the deciding factor for around 18% of consumers. |
Voedingscentrum recommends 30 to 60 g of carbohydrates per hour during prolonged exercise. Albert Heijn and Jumbo each list around 11 g of carbohydrates per 14 g portion of their taaitaai, so one portion won’t provide that amount for an hour.
Compare your planned intake with the amount in the portion you’ll actually eat, and practise eating and drinking during training before relying on it for a long run.
A table showing values per 100 g doesn’t automatically tell you how much you’ll consume. For example, Albert Heijn lists a 14 g portion for its taaitaai.
Check the weight of your piece or portion, and convert the nutritional information per 100 g to that amount if needed.
According to the product information, Maître Mathis taaitaai, labelled gluten-free by Albert Heijn, contains milk and lupin and may contain egg, nuts and sesame.
For every variety, also check the other allergens and any warnings on the current packaging.
AH Taai taai is described as a 350 g pack with a stated portion size of 14 g.
Jumbo Taai Taai Figuurtjes is described as a 500 g bag with a stated portion size of 14 g.
PLUS Taai taai sint en piet is described as a 500 g bag.
ALDI describes anise-flavoured taai-taai in figure shapes, in a 500 g pack.
Dirk’s product listing includes 1 de Beste Mini taai taai, 500 g.
If you’re considering taaitaai from Lidl, you’ll need the packaging for the specific product to compare it with other varieties.
You can, if you’ve practised eating it while running, but one portion doesn’t make a complete food and hydration plan. Voedingscentrum recommends 30 to 60 g of carbohydrates per hour during prolonged exercise; the 14 g portions listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo each provide around 11 g of carbohydrates.
A small portion you’ve tried before may be more practical before setting off than trying to eat a chewy biscuit on the move. Voedingscentrum highlights large portions just before exercise and eating during sport as things to consider, so try separately whether taaitaai works for you and when you prefer to eat it.
It depends on the variety: the standard products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list cereals containing gluten and milk. According to the product information, the Maître Mathis taaitaai labelled gluten-free by Albert Heijn does contain milk and lupin. Check the current packaging for the variety you’re buying.
No. A loose shape from a bag isn’t automatically individually wrapped or intended to be eaten while running. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS, ALDI and Dirk describe the taaitaai varieties mentioned here as larger packs; for another product, check the packaging, portion size and nutritional information before choosing it to take with you.
