If you portion it at home
A large, unsliced breakfast cake can work well for everyday lunches if you can cut and pack slices at home. For example, ALDI Nederland lists an unsliced GOUD GEBAKKEN option weighing 550 g.
Which format suits you?
If you want to grab a slice and go
Pre-sliced breakfast cake means there’s no need to cut it yourself. Individually wrapped slices are another option if you want to take a portion without needing extra packaging; ALDI Nederland and Peijnenburg offer examples of these formats.
If you compare labels
If ingredients, sugars, fibre or allergens influence your choice, compare the nutritional values per 100 g and read the label on the specific breakfast cake. The Voedingscentrum recommends using this basis when comparing nutritional values.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want to portion it at home or grab a slice straight away. Then check the features and label information that matter for your lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions for several lunches | Check the net weight and whether the cake is sliced. | If you prepare slices at home for several lunches, a whole cake may be just what you need. Being able to portion it yourself is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ready to take with you | Check whether the cake is pre-sliced and whether the portions are individually wrapped. | If I don’t want to spend time slicing or wrapping before I leave, I look for a slice that’s ready to take with me. This is also the main priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and nutritional information | Compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g; check the ingredients list too. | If you’re choosing between wholemeal options or products with a sugar claim, you’ll want to know what’s actually in the pack. Product information matters most to around 23% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, the label on the exact product needs to give me a clear answer. This is the main concern when buying for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating a word on the front as a complete guide to nutrition
‘Wholemeal’ or a statement about sugars doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much sugar, fibre or salt the breakfast cake contains.
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and read the ingredients list. The Voedingscentrum recommends comparing products per 100 g when portion sizes differ.
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Relying only on online allergen information
If you need to avoid allergens, the information for the specific product is important, including any ‘may contain’ statement.
Check the label on the pack you’ve bought before eating it. For PLUS Korenlanders Bakkers ontbijtkoek naturel, PLUS Nederland lists wheat and rye, among other ingredients, and notes that it may contain nuts.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers breakfast cake in a range of formats, including plain, wholemeal and individually wrapped portions.
- A pack of individual portions can be handy if you want to take a slice with you without having to cut it; Jumbo lists a plain pack containing 10 portions of 28 g.
- Check whether the slices are pre-cut or individually wrapped for each option.
Koek & Bakker
This ALDI brand includes sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and a sliced Zero option.
- The options described by ALDI Nederland are pre-sliced.
- Check the nutritional values and ingredients list for the Zero option; its name doesn’t mean it contains no sugars at all.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI Nederland lists a 550 g plain breakfast cake from this brand.
- You can cut the whole cake into portions at home.
- The option listed is unsliced, so you’ll need to prepare it if you want to take a slice with you.
PLUS Korenlanders
PLUS Nederland lists a 500 g plain Bakkers ontbijtkoek under this name.
- The product listing provides ingredients, nutritional and allergen information to help you make your choice.
- This option lists wheat and rye and may contain nuts; check the current label if you need to avoid these allergens.
Breakfast cake on Joybuy
These products suit two ways of taking breakfast cake with you for lunch: a pre-sliced cake that you can take a slice from, or individual portions to take with you separately. For both products, check the label for the nutritional and allergen information relevant to your choice.
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g'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g
For anyone who wants to grab a slice for lunch without having to cut it. The product name specifies wholemeal, sliced and 485 g. Check the current label for allergens: the available product description mentions rye, but the allergen information doesn’t match.
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Snelle Jelle breakfast cake Less Sugar-Free, 250 g
For anyone who wants to take a portion of breakfast cake with them straight away; the product information describes five individually wrapped portions of 50 g. Don’t assume from the option name that the breakfast cake is sugar-free. Check the nutritional values on the label before comparing products, and if you need to avoid allergens, read the information about rye, cereals containing gluten and possible traces of nuts or milk.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the nutritional values of two types of breakfast cake?
Compare the values per 100 g so that different portion sizes don’t skew the comparison. Look at the nutrients that matter for your choice, and check the ingredients list too; the Voedingscentrum recommends comparing products per 100 g.
What’s a good option if I don’t want to slice breakfast cake before I leave?
Choose a pre-sliced option if you want to grab a slice quickly, or look for individually wrapped portions if you want to avoid packing it yourself too. Check the pack to see which of these features the product actually has.
Should I check the pack itself if I have an allergy?
Yes, read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the pack you buy. For PLUS Korenlanders Bakkers ontbijtkoek naturel, PLUS Nederland lists wheat and rye and notes that it may contain nuts; you can’t assume that this information applies to other breakfast cakes.
Does all breakfast cake contain iodine because bakers’ salt is used?
No, you can’t tell what a specific breakfast cake contains just from the rules about bakers’ salt. Check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer which salt is used if added iodine is important to your choice.
How should I store opened breakfast cake?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for your breakfast cake. For PLUS Korenlanders Bakkers ontbijtkoek naturel, PLUS Nederland advises keeping the product tightly sealed in a cool, dry place after opening.