Choose individually wrapped bars if you want to take one portion at a time to the festival campsite without opening a pack or cutting the cake. A pre-sliced pack is a better choice for sharing, provided you can store it according to the instructions after opening. Don’t let a label such as ‘premium’ make the decision for you: compare the nutritional information and check the allergens, best-before date and storage advice on the packaging.
Want to keep cake in your rucksack or tent and take a portion whenever you fancy? Check whether the bars are individually wrapped and how many grams each one weighs. Peijnenburg and Snelle Jelle list this type of packaging for the varieties discussed here.
If you want to compare sugar and fibre, the figures per 100 g and per portion are more useful than a claim on the front of the pack alone. Also check exactly which variety you’re buying: the figures may vary between products.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, check the up-to-date packaging before you set off. Also check the best-before date and storage advice, especially if you’ll be carrying the cake in a tent or rucksack.
First decide whether you need individual portions or a pack to share. Then compare the nutritional information and read the storage and allergen guidance on the packaging you choose.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portioning convenience | Check whether the bars are individually wrapped and how many grams each portion contains. | If I want to take one portion from my bag without a knife, individual wrapping comes first. Around 36% of consumers say this convenience is their top priority. |
| Sugars and fibre | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion; also read the ingredients and any information about sweeteners. | I want to know what’s in the slice or bar I’ve chosen, rather than relying on claims such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘zero’. For around 29% of consumers, this comparison is their top priority. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about traces on the current packaging. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients for myself or someone else, the label needs to meet that person’s needs. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Sharing and storage | Check the number of portions, best-before date and storage advice, including after opening. | When taking food for a group, I want enough slices without being left with an opened pack I can’t store properly. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A claim on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you how much sugar and fibre a portion contains. The Voedingscentrum lists 11,2 g of sugars for a 30 g slice of breakfast cake; check the packaging for the figures for a specific variety.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and check that the claim applies to the variety you’ve chosen.
The product information for the Peijnenburg and Snelle Jelle varieties discussed here lists xylitol and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients, portion size and warnings before packing several bars.
The products discussed here list rye or other cereals containing gluten; some varieties also mention possible traces of milk or nuts.
Check the current packaging for everyone who’ll be eating, and keep products for different dietary needs separate.
The Peijnenburg product ranges discussed here include both individually wrapped plain bars and pre-sliced wholegrain breakfast cake with no added sugars.
The AH Ontbijtkoek naturel discussed here comes in a pre-sliced pack for sharing.
The Zero kruidkoek 4-pack discussed here contains individually wrapped bars.
These two packs are options for taking breakfast cake to a festival campsite: a 250 g Snelle Jelle variety and a g'woon pack containing six pieces. Check whether each product’s packaging suits the way you want to portion and store the cake.
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An option if you want to take breakfast cake for individual snacks; check the packaging to see how many portions are included and whether they’re individually wrapped.
The product name states 250 g. Compare the sugars and fibre on the label per 100 g and per portion; don’t infer an exact sugar figure from the name.
Before buying, read the current ingredients and allergen information, including details about rye, gluten and any possible traces.
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A pack to consider if you want to take several pieces of breakfast cake; check whether you can store them properly after opening.
The product name states that there are six pieces, but doesn’t say whether each one is individually wrapped. Before sharing the cake with others, also read the current ingredients and allergen information.
Follow the storage advice on the specific packaging; refrigeration isn’t listed as a storage requirement for every type of breakfast cake. The Voedingscentrum recommends choosing foods with a longer shelf life for camping. For the AH variety discussed here, the advice is to store it in a cool, dark and dry place.
No. Peijnenburg still lists 4,9 g of sugars per 100 g for the wholegrain variety with no added sugars discussed here. The manufacturer also lists xylitol and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Before buying, read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging. The breakfast cakes discussed here list rye or other cereals containing gluten; some varieties mention possible traces of nuts. Don’t rely on the product name alone.
No, don’t assume that breakfast cake contains iodine. The Voedingscentrum says that using iodised baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory. For breakfast cake, check the information for the specific product rather than assuming that it contains iodised salt.
