Who is choosing these cakes?

Runners planning a post-run snack

A protein-enhanced cake can be one part of a snack or meal after training. Check the amount per cake before deciding what else to eat with it.

Runners looking for a pre-run carbohydrate snack

A plain rice cake offers a carbohydrate base. Test the portion, toppings and timing during training, rather than trying a new combination on race day.

Shoppers checking gluten and other allergens

A gluten-free label does not cover every allergen. Kallo says its Protein Packed Lentil Cakes may contain sesame seed and soya, so check the current pack if either matters to you.

What should you check?

Start with when you plan to eat the cakes, then compare the amounts per cake and the ingredients on the pack.

Priority What to check Your needs
Carbohydrate Compare carbohydrate per cake and the portion you expect to eat. Kallo lists 4g per cake; Sainsbury's lists 6.1g for its own-label plain cake. The British Dietetic Association identifies carbohydrate as the main fuel for exercising muscles. For a longer session, I want to know what my chosen portion contributes rather than assuming a protein claim tells me enough about running fuel.
Protein Read protein per cake, not just per 100g. Kallo lists 1.8g per cake. The UK Sports Institute's sport-nutrition guidance describes a 20–30g protein portion, so one Kallo cake is only a small contribution. If I am choosing a post-run snack for its protein, I need to consider what other food will accompany the cakes.
Timing and tolerance Try the exact cake, portion and toppings on a training day. The UK Sports Institute notes that many athletes eat one to three hours before running, while individual tolerance varies. Before a long run, I would rather repeat a snack and timing I have already tried than introduce a new flavour or portion.
Allergens Read the current ingredients and precautionary allergen statement. Kallo says its Protein Packed Lentil Cakes may contain sesame seed and soya. I need to check allergens separately from a gluten-free claim when choosing a cake that suits my dietary requirements.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming one protein cake makes a complete post-run snack

    Kallo lists 1.8g protein per cake, while the UK Sports Institute's sport-nutrition guidance describes a 20–30g protein portion.

    Consider the cake as one part of a snack or meal, and check the protein and carbohydrate in the full portion you plan to eat.

  • Choosing by the protein claim alone

    Protein and carbohydrate figures answer different questions. Kallo lists 4g carbohydrate per cake; Sainsbury's own-label plain rice cake lists 6.1g.

    Compare carbohydrate per cake and your planned portion when choosing food for a run, rather than treating either single cake as the whole fuelling plan.

  • Trying a new cake immediately before a key run

    The UK Sports Institute advises runners to find pre-run food and timing through trial and error; an everyday snack may feel different before running.

    Test the product, number of cakes, toppings and timing during ordinary training.

  • Treating gluten-free as an all-allergen claim

    Kallo says its Protein Packed Lentil Cakes may contain sesame seed and soya. The Food Standards Agency explains that “may contain” statements communicate possible unintended allergen presence.

    If you have an allergy, read the current pack's ingredients and allergen statement before choosing the product.

Brand and retailer references

Kallo

Kallo Protein Packed Lentil Cakes are a lentil-and-buckwheat option with a manufacturer nutrition panel showing amounts per cake.

  • Kallo lists 1.8g protein and 4g carbohydrate per cake.
  • The product page says the cakes may contain sesame seed and soya.

M&S

M&S describes its Barbecue High Protein Rice Cakes as made with wholegrain rice, buckwheat, pea protein and lentil flour.

  • The barbecue flavour offers a savoury option for shoppers who want one.
  • Check the current pack for protein per serving before comparing its contribution with another cake.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's own-label plain rice cakes provide a point of comparison for choosing a carbohydrate base rather than a protein-enhanced cake.

  • The retailer lists 6.1g carbohydrate per plain cake.
  • It also lists 0.6g protein per cake, so check a separate protein food if that is the purpose of the snack.

Tesco

Tesco lists Kallo Protein Lentil Cakes and describes them as lentil-and-buckwheat cakes.

  • Its listing identifies the product for shoppers comparing rice-cake-style options.
  • Use the current product pack to check nutrition and allergens when buying.

Joybuy product options

This option represents protein-enhanced lentil cakes to consider as part of a marathon-training snack; the amount eaten and the rest of the snack still matter.

Kallo Protein Packed Lentil Cakes 100g

Kallo Protein Packed Lentil Cakes 100g

A lentil-cake option for a snack alongside other food after training. Kallo's product page lists protein and carbohydrate per cake and says the cakes may contain sesame seed and soya; check the current pack before use.

View on Joybuy

Questions about training use

Is one high-protein rice cake enough after a long run?

One Kallo Protein Packed Lentil Cake supplies 1.8g protein according to Kallo, so it contributes only a small amount towards the 20–30g protein portion described in the UK Sports Institute's sport-nutrition guidance. Consider the cake alongside other food and drink when planning a post-run snack or meal.

Can I eat rice cakes before a marathon-training run?

A rice cake can form part of a pre-run carbohydrate snack if the portion and timing suit you. The British Dietetic Association advises a low-fat, high-carbohydrate snack or light meal two to three hours before exercise; test your chosen cake and toppings during training.

Does “high protein” tell me how much is in one cake?

No: check the grams of protein per cake or per serving. Kallo lists 1.8g per Protein Packed Lentil Cake, which is more useful for planning a portion than the product name alone.

Does a gluten-free protein cake suit every food allergy?

No. Gluten-free labelling does not address every allergen: Kallo says its Protein Packed Lentil Cakes may contain sesame seed and soya. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen statement on the current pack.