If you want to take a portion for yourself
You can take an individually wrapped bar with you while shopping, without having to cut a slice of breakfast cake or open a larger pack of slices.
Who might find an individually wrapped bar handy?
If you want to avoid added sugars
Check the exact variety and, as well as the wording on the front, read the nutritional information and any warnings about sweeteners.
If you need to check ingredients or allergens
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the bar you choose. An individual wrapper does not change what is in it.
What should you look for when choosing one?
When choosing a snack for a Christmas shopping trip, portion size is a good place to start. Peijnenburg lists 32.5 g bars in its Naturel 5-pack; Jumbo lists 28 g slices for a plain variety with no added sugars. So be sure to compare the nutritional information per bar, too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and packaging | Check whether the bars are individually wrapped and how many grams each bar weighs. | If I want to take something for myself while doing the Christmas shopping, I don’t want to have to cut a slice of breakfast cake. For around 40% of these consumers, having a clearly defined portion is the priority. |
| Sugars, fibre and sweeteners | Compare the nutritional information per bar and read any warnings about sweeteners. | I want to be able to choose based on what’s in my bar, not just the wording on the front. For around 30% of these consumers, sugar, fibre and sweeteners are the most important factors. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, suitability matters more than the convenience of individual packaging. Ingredients and allergens are the main concern for around 30% of these consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means sugar-free
The Peijnenburg plain variety with no added sugars listed by Jumbo contains 1.4 g of sugars per 28 g slice. The product information also lists xylitol and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per bar and read any warnings about sweeteners.
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Assuming an individual wrapper makes a bar suitable for people with allergies
Ingredients vary between varieties. For example, Albert Heijn lists rye and nuts for Peijnenburg Tussendoor noten; other varieties checked may also include information about milk or soya.
Always check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you’re buying, even if you recognise the product name.
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Assuming breakfast cake contains iodine
The fact that bread can be made with iodised baker’s salt tells you nothing about the iodine content of a breakfast cake bar. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt is not even compulsory for bread.
Only count a bar as a source of iodine if the information for that specific product supports this.
Brands and retailers to consider
Peijnenburg
The Peijnenburg product ranges checked include individually wrapped plain bars and varieties with no added sugars.
- The product information lets you compare the packaging and portion size of each variety.
- Check the nutritional claims, ingredients and allergens for the exact variety; these are not the same for every Peijnenburg bar.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn provides product information for specific packaged Peijnenburg varieties.
- The products shown include details such as ingredients and allergens.
- Product information may change, so check the current packaging before buying, too.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists several packaged plain Peijnenburg varieties, including packs of individually wrapped slices.
- The number of slices and the weight of each one help you tell the packs apart.
- Compare the nutritional information per portion for the variety you choose; the size of the pack alone tells you nothing about its ingredients.
Breakfast cake bars at Joybuy
If you want to take a breakfast cake bar with you while doing your Christmas shopping, you can take a look at the 250 g Snelle Jelle pack below. Check the packaging to see how many individual portions it contains and the size of each bar.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g
Consider this breakfast cake if you want to take a portion with you while doing your Christmas shopping. The product name gives the pack size as 250 g; check how many bars it contains and how much each one weighs before choosing a portion.
Read the nutritional information per bar and the ingredients on the label. The words ‘Less Sugar-Free’ in the product name do not, by themselves, prove that the bar is sugar-free.
Frequently asked questions
Is breakfast cake with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No, the terms don’t mean the same thing. Jumbo lists 1.4 g of sugars per 28 g slice for its plain Peijnenburg variety with no added sugars. Check the nutritional information for the variety you’re buying.
Do I need to check allergens in an individually wrapped bar?
Yes. Individual packaging does not change the ingredients. Check the current allergen information for the exact bar, especially if rye, nuts, milk or soya are relevant to you.
Can I assume that breakfast cake contains iodine from baker’s salt?
No, not without information about the specific bar. The Voedingscentrum states that baker’s salt is not compulsory for bread; this does not mean breakfast cake has a set iodine content.
How should I store a bar around Christmas dinner?
Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the packaging. Before eating it, also check that the individual wrapper is intact.