Taai-taai can be a planned source of sweet carbohydrates during marathon training, provided you’ve tried out how much to eat and when during your training runs, and have planned what you’ll drink too. A premium or artisan label doesn’t offer any proven training benefit: the standard and artisan versions on the PLUS product pages we consulted have the same ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g.
You’re considering a portable, sweet snack for longer training runs and want to work out how it fits into your eating and drinking plan. Voedingscentrum discusses carbohydrates and fluids as factors to consider in endurance sports.
You want to find out whether a biscuit sits well before or during a run. Try out the amount and timing during a regular training run rather than for the first time during an important race.
You’re looking at carbohydrates and fibre per 100 g, the actual portion size and the ingredients. If you have an allergy or intolerance, the allergen information on the pack you buy is what matters.
First decide when you want to eat the taai-taai and how much you want to take with you. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates and portion size | Compare the carbohydrates per 100 g, then decide how much you actually want to eat. Albert Heijn lists 78 g of carbohydrates per 100 g and a 14 g portion for AH Taai taai. | For a long training run, I want to fit my snack around the rest of what I eat, rather than just go by the portion size on the pack. Around 42% of consumers prioritise carbohydrate planning. |
| Timing and tolerance | Choose an amount you can try during training, and plan what you’ll drink too. Voedingscentrum warns that large portions shortly before exercise may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. | If I want to eat something solid while running, I need to know when and how much feels right for me. Around 33% of consumers prioritise stomach comfort and timing. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings about possible traces of allergens. Compare standard and artisan versions by their nutritional values per 100 g, not just by their names. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the packaging before choosing a version. For around 25% of consumers, checking labels and allergens is their main concern. |
The standard and artisan taai-taai on the PLUS product pages we consulted have the same ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g. So the name alone doesn’t indicate any nutritional difference between these two versions.
Choose a version based on what matters to you, such as taste, size or presentation, and use the current label to compare nutritional information.
Voedingscentrum points out that large portions shortly before exercise may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. A suitable carbohydrate content doesn’t tell you how you’ll react to taai-taai while running.
Try out the amount, timing and what you drink during a regular training run first.
The stated portion size varies from product to product and may not match how much you eat. For example, Albert Heijn lists a portion of 14 g for AH Taai taai.
Compare products per 100 g first, then check the nutritional information for your own portion.
The AH and PLUS versions described contain, among other things, wheat, rye and milk ingredients. Information about other possible allergens may vary by product.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you buy for every version.
The product information for AH Taai taai 350 g includes nutritional values, a 14 g portion size and storage instructions.
PLUS lists a 500 g standard version and 250 g Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken.
ALDI lists a 500 g pack of taai-taai in its Sinterklaas range.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai 500 g.
Jumbo has published product information for Jumbo De Originele Taai Taai and Bolletje Taai Taai Poppetjes.
It could be an option if you’ve tried out during training how much taai-taai you can tolerate and when to eat it. Voedingscentrum discusses carbohydrates and fluids during prolonged exercise; the nutritional information for a biscuit alone can’t tell you whether it’s right for you while running.
That isn’t evident from the comparison of the two PLUS versions described: their product pages list the same ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g. So don’t choose the artisan version on the assumption that it offers different sports nutrition.
Think about the amount and what you can tolerate during training. Voedingscentrum warns that large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the pack you buy. The AH and PLUS versions described contain, among other things, wheat, rye and milk ingredients; information about other possible allergens may vary by version.
