When choosing a cake to enjoy with older people over coffee, start by deciding what matters most to you: fibre, less added sugar or a familiar breakfast cake without sweeteners. Then compare the nutritional values per 100 g and the size of each slice. A wholegrain version can still contain a lot of sugar, while one with no added sugar may contain xylitol and carry a warning about excessive consumption.
When choosing breakfast cake to enjoy with your afternoon coffee, the same slice may be all about nutrition for one person, but more about taste or convenience for another.
You compare wholegrain breakfast cakes by their fibre content per 100 g and per slice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights fibre as something to consider in your diet after the age of 70, and also points to other wholegrain products as sources of fibre.
You look beyond the wording on the front of the pack and compare total sugars and ingredients. Breakfast cake with no added sugar may still contain sugars and sweeteners.
You prefer regular sliced breakfast cake and would rather avoid sweeteners. If so, compare its fibre and sugar content with a wholegrain version instead of choosing based only on the type of cake.
Start with your main reason for choosing breakfast cake. Then check fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g on the same label, along with the ingredients and allergens. The nutritional value per slice also depends on the portion size.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and wholegrain | Compare fibre per 100 g and check which wholegrain ingredients are listed. | If fibre is my main reason for choosing wholegrain breakfast cake, I want to know how much a slice contributes; around 36% of consumers put this need first. |
| Added sugars | Check both ‘of which sugars’ and the ingredients, and look for sweeteners, polyols and warnings. | I want to limit added sugars, but also know what the cake is sweetened with. Around 29% of consumers put this consideration first. |
| Familiar taste | Check the ingredients of a regular cake and compare its sugars and fibre with a wholegrain alternative. | A familiar slice without sweeteners matters more to me than a version with less added sugar; around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Convenience and portions | Check whether the cake is pre-sliced or individually wrapped, and how much a slice or bar weighs. | With my afternoon coffee, I want to be able to grab a manageable portion without cutting it. This convenience matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
These claims don’t tell you how much sugar or fibre the breakfast cake contains. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the wholegrain breakfast cake examined contains 34 g of sugars per 100 g; the Peijnenburg version examined, which has no added sugar, contains xylitol.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check the ingredients on the pack you want to buy.
According to Jumbo’s product information, the Peijnenburg version examined carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. This is a practical consideration if you plan to serve this cake regularly.
Read the warning on the packaging and, if you prefer, choose a breakfast cake without this sweetener.
Even if a slice contains fibre, the rest of what you eat still matters. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists a range of plant-based foods as sources of fibre.
Consider breakfast cake as part of your usual diet, not as a replacement for other sources of fibre.
A general reference to bakers’ salt doesn’t tell you whether the breakfast cake you choose contains iodine.
If iodine is a deciding factor for you, check the latest product information or ask the manufacturer.
The differences below apply to the breakfast cakes mentioned, not to every product from each brand. If you’re considering a different version, check its label again.
The wholegrain breakfast cake examined, with no added sugar, is an option for anyone comparing fibre and sugars on the label.
Albert Heijn sells both a sliced wholegrain breakfast cake and a regular baker’s breakfast cake, so you can compare two types from the same range.
The sliced wholegrain breakfast cake examined is an alternative for anyone wanting to compare a regular wholegrain version with a cake containing xylitol.
The PLUS Ontbijtkoek Volkoren examined is sliced and sold in a 485 g pack.
This ALDI own-brand range includes a sliced wholegrain breakfast cake and a sliced Zero version.
If you’d rather have an individually wrapped bar with your afternoon coffee than a slice from a loaf of breakfast cake, Joybuy offers the product below. Check the nutritional information on the packaging before comparing it with the wholegrain and regular slices above.
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Individually wrapped bars are handy if you want to grab a single portion with your coffee. The pack contains five 50 g bars. Check the nutritional information on the pack before comparing fibre, sugars, polyols or salt with other breakfast cakes. The ingredients list rye and cereals containing gluten; the product may also contain nuts and milk.
No. The choice also depends on the sugars, salt, ingredients and portion size of the cake in question. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights fibre as something to consider after the age of 70, but breakfast cake doesn’t replace other sources of fibre in a varied diet.
No. According to product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the Peijnenburg version examined lists 4.9 g of sugars and 24 g of polyols per 100 g; the ingredients include xylitol. So check both the nutritional information and the ingredients.
Pay particular attention to the warning about excessive consumption. The product information from Jumbo states that excessive consumption of the Peijnenburg version examined may have a laxative effect.
The wholegrain versions from Peijnenburg, Albert Heijn and Jumbo examined list rye or cereals containing gluten; Jumbo’s information also lists wheat. If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose.
No. Don’t rely solely on a general reference to bakers’ salt for a particular pack. If iodine matters to your choice, check the latest product information or ask the manufacturer to confirm whether that breakfast cake contains it.
