It’s been researched: why you can’t keep your hands off kruidnoten

They were already in the shops at the end of August, and we’ll keep eating them until at least the end of December: kruidnootjes. Why are these things so addictive? And is that a bad thing? Fortunately, NRC researched it, so now we know that we can barely do anything about it ourselves when yet another bag disappears completely.

Let’s quickly line up the facts: kruidnoten aren’t super unhealthy. No unhealthier than, say, a pack of stroopwafels. They contain just as much sugar and fat as cookies, so a handful of kruidnoten isn’t necessarily bad.

Kruidnoten are addictive

But that’s immediately the problem: hardly anyone stops at one handful of kruidnoten. They’re in a bowl on the table or on your desk, and before you know it, the last kruidnoten have disappeared behind your teeth. Small pieces, and within easy reach—that’s pretty much irresistible, says Liesbeth Velena, behavioural expert at the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, in NRC.

Sweet, crunchy and creamy

Nutrition scientist Jaap Seidell adds that kruidnoten are sweet, crunchy and creamy, and we can’t say no to that. The fact that they’re only sold in winter, and are therefore associated with domestic comfort and cosiness, also helps. We’re actually powerless in the face of these mini cookies!

Increasingly crazy flavours

In recent years, these kruidnootjes with a chocolate coating have become increasingly popular. With the craziest flavours: stroopwafel, apple pie, red velvet, truffle, discodip or simply dark chocolate—you name it, and it exists. Chocolate means extra calories, so there’s no getting around that.

UTZ or Fairtrade certification

And then there’s the sugar and the fat. It’s not butter, but palm oil. Tricky business, because palm oil isn’t very sustainable. The chocolate-coated kruidnootjes sometimes carry a UTZ or Fairtrade certification, so you know that at least the chocolate itself is OK.

Read also:

• Sinterklaas treats: our 5 favourite kruidnoot flavours
• You’ll want to make this: white chocolate pepernoten with Licor 43
• You can now buy discodip kruidnoten at Hema

Source: NRC