People planning a small portion before exercise
A sharing bag can be divided in advance if you want a portion of marshmallows rather than the whole pack. Check the serving information on the bag when deciding how much to set aside.
Who is a sharing bag for?
People sharing with different dietary requirements
Ingredients matter more than the colour or shape of the sweets. The Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Asda products described by their retailers contain beef gelatine; M&S also lists a separately labelled vegan product.
People training after a missed meal
Consider whether you need a snack or light meal rather than a portion of confectionery. University College London Hospitals describes exercise snacks as including carbohydrate, protein, minimal fat, vitamins and minerals.
What should you check before buying?
Start with when you plan to eat, then check the portion, ingredients and bag size. Serving figures are not interchangeable unless their stated portions match.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Timing and snack type | Decide whether you are setting aside a portion of sweets or need a more substantial snack. The British Dietetic Association advises a low-fat, high-carbohydrate snack or light meal two to three hours before exercise. | If I have missed a meal, I need to decide on food before training rather than treating a sharing bag as the meal. |
| Portion | Read the pack's serving size and sugars figure together. Sainsbury's lists approximately six servings in its 200g bag and 19.3g sugars for its stated serving. | I want to separate my portion before leaving and keep the rest for another occasion or for sharing. |
| Ingredients | Check the current ingredients and allergy statements on the exact pack. Retailer information identifies beef gelatine in conventional Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Asda products; M&S labels its 140g Vegan Marshmallows as vegan but says they are unsuitable for people with a milk allergy. | When avoiding animal ingredients or checking an allergy, I need the details for the specific bag I am buying. |
| Bag size | Compare net weights before choosing a bag for a group: the retailer-listed examples include 200g Waitrose and Sainsbury's bags, a 180g Asda bag and a 140g M&S vegan bag. | I need enough for the people sharing, without assuming that different pack sizes provide the same number of portions. |
Common buying mistakes
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Treating the whole bag as one serving
A sharing bag can contain several stated servings. Sainsbury's lists approximately six servings in its 200g marshmallow bag.
Read the serving basis and put aside the amount you intend to eat before taking the bag with you.
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Using marshmallows in place of a missed meal
A portion of marshmallows should not be assumed to cover the components of an exercise snack described by University College London Hospitals: carbohydrate, protein, minimal fat, vitamins and minerals.
If you need food before training, choose a snack or light meal that meets those requirements rather than relying on the sharing bag alone.
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Assuming all marshmallows meet the same dietary requirements
Conventional bags described by Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Asda contain beef gelatine. The separately labelled M&S vegan product carries a milk-allergy warning.
Check the current ingredients and allergy information on the exact pack; appearance and flavour do not establish suitability.
Brand and product-line references
These retailer examples show why pack size, serving information and ingredients need to be checked product by product.
Waitrose
Waitrose Pink and White Marshmallows are listed as a 200g bag.
- Waitrose lists nutrition per 100g, including 61.5g sugars.
- The retailer's ingredients include beef gelatine.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's Marshmallows are listed in a 200g bag.
- Sainsbury's lists approximately six servings per pack and 19.3g sugars for its stated serving.
- The product information lists beef gelatine; check the current pack for dietary suitability.
Asda
Asda Marshmallows are listed in a 180g bag.
- Asda lists seven servings and 16g sugars for its stated serving.
- The ingredients include beef gelatine.
M&S
M&S lists 180g Soft Marshmallows and a separate 140g Vegan Marshmallows product.
- The 140g product is labelled vegan by M&S.
- The 180g product contains beef gelatine. M&S says its vegan product is unsuitable for people with a milk allergy.
Tesco
Tesco Groceries lists a 200g own-label marshmallow bag.
- The stated net weight provides a starting point for comparing bag sizes.
- Check the current pack for ingredients, nutrition and allergy information when these affect your choice.
Marshmallow bags on Joybuy
These marshmallow bags offer two pack sizes to consider if you plan to divide the sweets before exercise or share them. Check the current pack for its serving basis and ingredients.
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Morrisons Marshmallows 200g
Consider this 200g bag if you intend to set aside a portion and share the rest. The product information identifies gelatine and states that it is unsuitable for vegetarians; check the current pack's ingredients and serving basis before buying.
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SoSweet Marshmallow Twists 140g
This 140g bag is a smaller sharing option if that size suits your portion plan. The product information identifies beef gelatine, so check the current ingredients if you avoid animal-derived ingredients, and read the pack's serving basis before dividing it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a marshmallow sharing bag replace a pre-workout snack?
Do not treat the whole bag as a substitute for a snack or light meal. The British Dietetic Association advises a low-fat, high-carbohydrate snack or light meal two to three hours before exercise; University College London Hospitals describes exercise snacks as including carbohydrate and protein, with minimal fat, vitamins and minerals.
How should I compare sugars across sharing bags?
Compare figures on the same basis, such as per 100g, and read each product's stated serving size separately. Waitrose lists 61.5g sugars per 100g for its Pink and White Marshmallows, while Sainsbury's lists 19.3g sugars for its stated serving of Marshmallows.
Are conventional marshmallow sharing bags vegan?
Do not assume so: the conventional Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Asda products described by their retailers contain beef gelatine. M&S labels its separate Vegan Marshmallows product as vegan, but says it is unsuitable for people with a milk allergy. Check the current pack for the exact product you choose.