If you’re keeping an eye on sugars and fibre
If you’re mainly comparing nutritional content for a late-night snack, check sugars and fibre per 100 g. For varieties containing xylitol, also read the warning on the packaging.
Which choice is right for you?
If you prefer a distinctive flavour
A ginger variety could be appealing if flavour is your priority. ‘Luxury’ says nothing about nutritional value, so check the ingredients, allergens and portion size too.
If you want an easy-to-grab portion
Sliced breakfast cake or individually wrapped portions are handy if you don’t want to cut a piece yourself late at night. Compare the weight of each portion.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide what matters most for your late-night snack: the nutritional content, a particular flavour or a convenient portion. Then compare the labels of the varieties that fit the bill.
| What to consider | Check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and fibre | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g. For varieties with sweeteners, read the ingredients and warnings. | If I’m mainly focused on nutritional content, I don’t want to assume that ‘wholemeal’ also means low in sugar. This is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Flavour | Check which flavouring ingredients are listed and whether the cake is sliced or unsliced. | For a treat late in the evening, I might deliberately choose a variety with ginger, for example. Flavour is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portion format | Compare the weight per portion and choose between a sliced cake and individually wrapped portions. | If I want to grab a slice without cutting it, the packaging matters more to me. Convenient portions are the top priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming wholemeal means low in sugar
Albert Heijn states that its wholemeal breakfast cake contains 41% wholemeal rye flour and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g, but also 34 g of added sugars per 100 g.
When comparing wholemeal varieties, check both the fibre and sugar content on the label.
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Looking only for ‘no added sugars’
Peijnenburg’s wholemeal variety carrying this claim contains xylitol. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; PLUS also warns that xylitol is unsuitable for animals.
Read the ingredients and warnings, and keep products containing xylitol out of reach of pets.
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Assuming all breakfast cake contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use baker’s salt.
Don’t assume a particular breakfast cake contains iodine unless this is confirmed on the label or by the manufacturer.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers classic, wholemeal and sliced breakfast cake varieties, among others. Compare the specific variety rather than the brand name alone.
- The wholemeal variety with no added sugars lists 17 g of fibre and 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.
- This variety contains xylitol and rye, so check the warnings and allergen information.
Albert Heijn
The supermarket’s own-brand wholemeal and zero varieties have different labels you can compare side by side.
- The sliced wholemeal variety lists 41% wholemeal rye flour.
- The same variety lists 34 g of added sugars per 100 g. Check the packaging for the latest ingredients and nutritional information.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s breakfast cake range includes wholemeal, ginger and portion-sized varieties.
- This gives you the chance to compare different flavours and packaging formats.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional information and availability for each product you’re considering.
Koek & Bakker (ALDI)
Koek & Bakker offers a sliced zero variety and an unsliced ginger breakfast cake.
- According to ALDI, the ginger variety contains real pieces of ginger.
- To compare sugars, fibre and allergens, read the label for the specific variety.
Lidl / Tastino
Lidl lists a breakfast cake zero product; Tastino is another name you may come across when shopping for breakfast cake.
- The zero product listing describes a 485 g pack.
- Lidl states that this product is available in store only. Check the label and availability in store.
PLUS
PLUS lists its own wholemeal breakfast cake, as well as product information for Peijnenburg Wholemeal with no added sugars.
- The stated sugar content varies by product: 34.1 g per 100 g for PLUS Wholemeal and 4.9 g per 100 g for the Peijnenburg variety mentioned.
- These figures relate to different products, so check the packaging of the variety you choose.
Breakfast cake on Joybuy
These products give you a choice of sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, a raisin variety and two other Snelle Jelle varieties for a late-night snack. Compare the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging of the product you’re considering.
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g'woon sliced wholemeal breakfast cake 485 g
A sliced variety if you want to grab a piece without cutting it yourself. Joybuy’s product information lists 43% wholemeal rye flour; check the packaging for the latest nutritional information and allergen details.
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Snelle Jelle breakfast cake with raisins 325 g
For anyone looking for a raisin variety for a late-night snack. Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g on the packaging, and read the allergen information.
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Snelle Jelle plain breakfast cake 325 g
A plain variety to compare with other breakfast cakes for a late-night snack. Before comparing portions, check whether the packaging lists nutritional values per 100 g or per portion.
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Snelle Jelle Less Sugar-Free breakfast cake 250 g
If sugar content is an important factor for you, assess this variety by checking the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging, rather than relying on the variety name alone. When comparing, also check whether the figures are given per 100 g or per portion.
Frequently asked questions
Does breakfast cake automatically contain iodine?
No, don’t assume that a particular breakfast cake contains iodine. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt, but the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Check the label of the product you choose or ask the manufacturer.
Is wholemeal breakfast cake always low in sugar?
No. Albert Heijn states that its wholemeal breakfast cake contains 41% wholemeal rye flour and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g, as well as 34 g of added sugars per 100 g. Check both figures on the label when comparing other varieties.
What should I look for in breakfast cake with no added sugars?
As well as checking the claim on the front, read the ingredients and warnings. Peijnenburg’s wholemeal variety contains xylitol and lists 4.9 g of sugars and 17 g of fibre per 100 g; the product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
What should I do if my pet has eaten breakfast cake containing xylitol?
Contact a vet immediately. PLUS warns that the xylitol in the Peijnenburg variety is unsuitable for animals and advises contacting a vet immediately if it is ingested.
How should I store breakfast cake after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your variety. For its wholemeal breakfast cake with no added sugars, Peijnenburg recommends storing it in a cool, dry, dark place, preferably in a sealed tin or container.