When choosing breakfast cake to enjoy with your coffee, start by checking the exact sugar claim, then compare the nutritional values per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘with no added sugars’ does not rule out sugars that occur naturally. For a slice with no added sugars, also check the fibre, ingredients and portion size: the options reviewed come in different formats and include ingredients such as rye or xylitol.
You’re looking for a slice of breakfast cake to enjoy with your coffee, with no added sugars. Don’t rely on ‘zero’ on the packaging alone: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ and ‘with no added sugars’ are different claims. So compare the sugar content per 100 g too.
As well as checking the sugar claim, you want to know how much fibre the cake contains. Jumbo lists 17 g of fibre per 100 g for Peijnenburg’s sliced wholegrain breakfast cake with no added sugars. This variety also contains rye and xylitol.
For work, school or when you’re out and about, an individually wrapped bar may be more convenient than a large, sliced cake. Albert Heijn states that Snelle Jelle Zero spiced cake comes in individually wrapped 42 g bars. Check the portion size and allergens of the product you choose.
Start with the sugar claim, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g. After that, consider which type of packaging suits the occasion.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Read the exact claim and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | When choosing something to have with my coffee, I want to know whether ‘zero’ really means sugar-free, rather than relying on the product name alone. This distinction is a priority for around 36% of consumers who want to make a choice based on sugar. |
| Fibre and wholegrains | Compare fibre per 100 g and check which grains are listed in the ingredients. Include sugars and salt in the same label comparison. | When I’m looking for a wholegrain slice, I want to be able to check the fibre content without overlooking the rest of the label. Around 29% of consumers say they prioritise this combination of features. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list for xylitol and read the allergen information for the variety you choose. | If I want to avoid sweeteners or need to take allergens into account, the ingredients list can determine my choice. This check matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Portion and packaging | Check the weight per slice or bar; when comparing products, use the values per 100 g too. | At home, I want a sliced cake, but when I’m out and about, an individually wrapped bar may suit the occasion better. For around 14% of consumers, this practical consideration is the top priority. |
A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. For example, Jumbo lists 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g for Peijnenburg wholegrain breakfast cake with no added sugars.
Check the exact claim on the packaging and compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the limit of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g applies specifically to the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
A fibre claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar or salt a cake contains, or which ingredients it includes.
For similar breakfast cakes, compare sugars, fibre and salt per 100 g, then read the ingredients and allergen information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g, as portion sizes can vary.
The Peijnenburg, AH and Snelle Jelle Zero varieties described here contain xylitol. Consuming too much xylitol can have a laxative effect. The grains listed and potential allergens vary by product.
Check the current packaging for the variety you’re buying, especially if you want to avoid sweeteners or need to check for an allergen. Keep products containing xylitol out of reach of dogs.
Sliced wholegrain breakfast cake with no added sugars is an option if you’re looking for a slice to enjoy with your coffee and want to compare fibre content too.
AH Ontbijtkoek Zero is a sliced own-brand breakfast cake with no added sugars, sold in a 485 g pack.
ALDI describes Koek & Bakker Ontbijtkoek Zero as a 485 g pack of pre-sliced breakfast cake with no added sugars.
Snelle Jelle Zero is a spiced cake sold in individually wrapped bars, making it a handy choice if you mainly want a portion to take with you.
No, these claims don’t mean the same thing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, while a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally. Jumbo lists 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g for Peijnenburg wholegrain breakfast cake with no added sugars.
Compare sugars, fibre and salt per 100 g, then read the ingredients and allergen information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g, as portion sizes can vary.
It depends on the specific product: ‘zero’ doesn’t tell you which ingredients have been used. The Peijnenburg, AH and Snelle Jelle Zero varieties described here contain xylitol. Check the ingredients list if you want to avoid sweeteners.
Don’t assume that every breakfast cake contains iodine. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through bakers’ salt; this doesn’t tell you what’s in any particular breakfast cake. Check the label or ask the manufacturer about a specific product.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your variety. For Peijnenburg’s wholegrain variety, storage in a cool, dry, dark place is recommended, preferably in a sealed container or tin. AH advises keeping Ontbijtkoek Zero in a cool, dark and dry place.
