Coffee drinkers looking for wholegrain
If you’d like a breakfast cake made with wholegrain rye to enjoy with your coffee, the type of flour used and the fibre content on the label are useful points of comparison.
Which option is right for you?
Shoppers looking to avoid added sugars
If no added sugars is important to you, compare the sugar content in the nutrition table too, and check which ingredients and any sweeteners the product contains.
Shoppers taking breakfast cake with them
For coffee at work or on the go, a pre-sliced pack, bar or individually wrapped portion may be more convenient than a cake you have to slice yourself.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide whether the type of flour, the no added sugars claim or convenience with coffee matters most to you. Then compare products on a like-for-like basis: per 100 g and, if the portions differ, per slice or bar too.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain and fibre | Check which grain and type of flour are listed in the ingredients. Compare fibre per 100 g and per typical portion. | If breakfast cake is a regular part of my coffee break, I want to know whether I’m choosing a wholegrain version and how much fibre there is in a slice. Around 42% of consumers say this is their priority. |
| No added sugars | Check the exact wording, the sugar content in the nutrition table and any sweeteners or warnings. | I’m looking for breakfast cake with no added sugars, but I don’t want to assume that a Zero claim also means sugar-free. This label detail is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Flavour and packaging | Decide whether you’d like a plain version, then compare a pre-sliced pack, bar or individual portion by weight, number of pieces and shelf life. | At home with coffee, I might prefer a familiar plain cake; on the go, a portion that’s easy to take with me matters more. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these practical and flavour preferences. |
Common mistakes
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Treating wholegrain as a verdict on the whole cake
Wholegrain describes the grain base, not every nutritional value of a breakfast cake. Sugar, fibre and salt content may still influence your choice.
As well as checking the type of flour, read the nutrition table and compare products per 100 g and per portion.
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Confusing Zero with sugar-free
No added sugars doesn’t rule out sugars that are naturally present. For one pre-sliced breakfast cake, Jumbo lists sweeteners and a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; that warning doesn’t automatically apply to other versions.
Check the exact wording, ingredients and warnings for the product you want to buy.
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Assuming plain and wholegrain use the same type of flour
Peijnenburg lists rye flour for its Naturel Gesneden, but wholegrain rye flour for its Volkoren Gesneden. The names therefore refer to different recipes.
Check the ingredients list for the version you’ve chosen if you’re specifically looking for wholegrain rye.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers a range that includes plain, wholegrain and individually wrapped breakfast cake.
- Peijnenburg states that its Volkoren Gesneden contains 37% wholegrain rye flour. According to the brand’s website, its Volkoren zonder toegevoegde suikers has a different recipe.
- A feature of one Peijnenburg version doesn’t necessarily apply to another; compare the exact product names and labels.
AH
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes pre-sliced wholegrain breakfast cake and a Zero version.
- The distinct product names make it easier to search specifically for wholegrain or Zero options.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. Always check the latest packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes breakfast cake in pre-sliced packs and smaller formats.
- You can choose a format to suit a slice at home or a portion to take with you.
- Jumbo lists sweeteners and a warning about excessive consumption for one pre-sliced version. Check which information applies to the specific product.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI sells pre-sliced wholegrain breakfast cake and pre-sliced breakfast cake Zero under this brand.
- ALDI lists both of these versions in 485 g packs.
- Wholegrain and Zero are different product claims. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for each version.
Breakfast cake for a coffee break
This breakfast cake may suit you if you’re looking for a packaged option to enjoy with coffee at work or on the go. Assess the nutritional information and ingredients for this version separately from the plain and wholegrain options above.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g
If you’re having coffee on the go, the packaging may be a factor; check the number of portions in this pack.
The product name states 250 g. Check the latest ingredients and nutritional information before comparing sugars per 100 g or per portion. The words Less Sugar-Free in the product name do not, on their own, prove that this breakfast cake is sugar-free or contains no added sugars.
If you have allergies, check the allergen information on the latest packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is the wholegrain claim enough to compare breakfast cakes?
No. Wholegrain tells you about the grain base used; you should also compare fibre, sugars, salt and portion size on the label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 1.3 g of fibre per 30 g slice as a reference for wholegrain breakfast cake, not as a value for every version.
Is breakfast cake with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No. No added sugars doesn’t mean that the breakfast cake contains no naturally occurring sugars. Read the nutrition table and ingredients list for the version you’ve chosen, and check whether it lists sweeteners or warnings about use.
What should I check if I have an allergy?
Check the allergen information on the latest packaging for the specific breakfast cake. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on the label; don’t rely solely on the product category or an online description.
Can I assume that breakfast cake contains iodised baker’s salt?
No. The name breakfast cake doesn’t tell you which type of salt was used in a specific product. Check the ingredients on the latest packaging rather than relying on a general assumption.