Taaitaai for a Marathon Runner: Which Size to Choose

Who are you choosing for?

The runner who wants to choose when to eat

Voedingscentrum says carbohydrates are important for people who train intensively, for example for a marathon. A gift can be a treat, but it doesn’t take the place of a personal eating and drinking plan.

The gift-giver who wants to share

A large figure makes a striking gift; several packs are ideal for a group. Bear in mind, though, that Albert Heijn says its taaitaai 2-pack is delivered as two separate items.

The recipient who needs to check the ingredients

If they have an allergy, ask which ingredients they need to avoid and read the label on the exact pack. Ingredients and allergens vary between products.

What should you look for?

First decide whether the gift is meant as a treat, for sharing or for baking together. Then check that the quantity, occasion and label suit the recipient.

A large taaitaai figure

Ideal for: one ready-to-eat gift in an eye-catching shape. Albert Heijn lists the Streeckgenoten Taai pop as one 500 g item.

Bear in mind: Albert Heijn says this figure is only available in store; check the label there too.

A 2-pack

Ideal for: a household or running group who want to share the taaitaai. The AH Taai taai 2-pack contains two 500 g items.

Bear in mind: Albert Heijn says the items arrive separately, so wrap them yourself if presentation matters.

A baking kit

Ideal for: someone who enjoys baking and decorating. The Homemade kit described by Albert Heijn includes a mix, icing, a cutter and a piping bag, among other things.

Bear in mind: baking takes time and requires an oven. Check availability and the ingredients in your chosen kit before buying.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who should pay particular attention?
When to eat it	Check the serving size and nutritional information per serving; let the runner decide whether they want to try the product around a training session.	Anyone who wants to stick to a familiar eating plan during a long training session won’t want to swap it for a gift biscuit without thinking it through. Around 36% of consumers prioritise choosing the right time to eat.
Type of gift	Check whether you’re buying one item, separate packs or a kit for baking at home.	If the gift is for sharing with training partners, a different size may be more suitable than for a personal gift. Around 29% of consumers put the type of gift first.
Ingredients and allergens	Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack.	If the recipient needs to avoid certain ingredients, checking the label matters more than the shape of the gift. This is the most important buying consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Quantity and storage	Compare the net weight, best-before date and storage instructions.	A large pack may be impractical for one recipient if there’s a lot left over; for a group, sharing it out is the point. Around 14% of consumers choose mainly based on quantity and ease of storage.

Common mistakes

Treating a treat as a complete training plan

A taaitaai gift won’t tell a runner how much to eat and drink, or when, during long training sessions. Voedingscentrum specifically discusses sports bars and gels in relation to prolonged, intense exercise.

Give taaitaai as a treat and let the runner decide whether it fits into an ordinary training session. Don’t use it to replace a familiar approach just before a race.
Choosing by shape without reading the label

According to Albert Heijn, AH Taai taai 350 g contains milk and cereals containing gluten, among other ingredients. That doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in another product.

Check the pack you’re actually giving, and if the recipient has an allergy, ask which ingredients they need to avoid.
Assuming a 2-pack is gift-wrapped

Albert Heijn describes its taaitaai 2-pack as two items delivered separately. That sorts out the quantity, but not the gift presentation.

Add your own wrapping or a card if you want to give it as one present.
Assuming a product listing means it’s available to buy

A product description can help you choose, but it doesn’t tell you whether that particular product is available today. Albert Heijn marks the Bolletje taai taai mentioned here as discontinued; Jumbo says its De Originele Taai Taai is no longer available online.

Check that your chosen product is available just before buying, and make sure the packaging and label still match what you’re looking for.

Brands to consider

These examples show how size and product information can differ; check the exact product you’re planning to give.

Albert Heijn

The AH products described include a standard pack, a 2-pack and a large Streeckgenoten Taai pop.

Albert Heijn lists AH Taai taai as a 350 g pack, with a 14 g serving, and provides ingredient and allergen information.
The AH 2-pack is delivered as separate items. Check the ingredients on the packaging in store for the large figure.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s De Originele Taai Taai is an example of a 500 g pack with nutritional information per 100 g.

Jumbo lists around 36 servings and 80.7 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for this product.
Jumbo says this product is no longer part of its online range, so don’t take the details above as confirmation that it’s currently available to order.

Bolletje

The Bolletje taai taai described by Albert Heijn consists of smaller pieces in a 350 g pack.

Albert Heijn lists around 37 pieces, each weighing about 9.5 g, for this product.
Albert Heijn marks this product listing as discontinued; check whether any alternative is available before buying.

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Frequently asked questions

Is taaitaai intended as fuel for marathon training?

Not as an automatic replacement for a regular eating and drinking plan. Taaitaai contains carbohydrates, but runners need to decide for themselves whether the product and timing suit them; Voedingscentrum discusses sports bars and gels as possible aids during prolonged, intense training.

When should you give taaitaai around a training session?

It’s best to give it as a treat, so the recipient can choose when to eat it. If the runner wants to have taaitaai during a training session, they can first try the product and serving size during an ordinary session to see how they get on.

Which allergens should you check in taaitaai?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. The AH Taai taai described here lists milk, wheat and rye, among other ingredients; other products may contain different ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that the presence of mandatory allergens in prepacked foods must be clearly indicated in the ingredients list.

Does a taaitaai 2-pack already count as gift packaging?

Not the AH Taai taai 2-pack described here: Albert Heijn says the two items are delivered separately. Add your own card or wrapping if you want to turn them into one wrapped gift.

What should you do if the online nutritional information differs from the packaging?

Before giving it, check the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you actually buy. Albert Heijn says product information can change, so don’t rely solely on an earlier online listing when choosing based on ingredients or allergens.