Families packing lunches for several school days
A large, unsliced breakfast cake could be a good fit if slicing it at home is practical. Also think about how you’ll store it once opened and how much you’ll actually take with you.
Which option suits you?
Parents who see breakfast cake as an extra
It’s worth considering the rest of the lunch, not just the cake. The Voedingscentrum notes that breakfast cake is often high in sugar and low in fibre and other nutrients, although the ingredients and nutritional values vary from product to product.
Families checking portions or allergens
A pre-sliced piece or individually wrapped portion is easy to pop into a school bag. If allergens are a concern, check the label of the option you choose and ask the school about its policy if needed.
What should you look for?
First decide whether breakfast cake will be an extra in the packed lunch, then choose a pack that works at home and on the go. Next, check the nutritional information and allergens for the option you plan to pack.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack format | Check the weight and whether the cake is unsliced, pre-sliced or individually wrapped. | If I’m buying for several school days, I want to be able to slice portions from one cake at home. For around 36% of consumers, the pack format is the top priority. |
| Its place in the lunch | Think about what else will go in the lunchbox alongside the breakfast cake. According to the Voedingscentrum, breakfast cake is often high in sugar and low in fibre and other nutrients. | If the cake is going to school, I want it to be an extra, not the whole lunch. That’s the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Sugars and fibre | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information; read any claim about added sugars alongside the ingredients list. | When choosing between a plain and a zero option, I want to know what both labels actually say. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Packing and allergens | Check the portion packaging, the allergens on the current label and, if necessary, the school’s policy. | I want a slice that’s easy to take along, and if relevant allergens are involved, I need to know exactly what’s in it. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Packing breakfast cake as a complete school lunch
A slice of breakfast cake won’t automatically replace the rest of the lunch. For an average 30 g slice, the Voedingscentrum gives values including 11,2 g of sugars and 1,1 g of fibre; individual products may differ.
Decide what else to pack and serve the cake as an extra.
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Assuming zero means allergen-free
According to PLUS, PLUS Ontbijtkoek Zero contains rye and cereals containing gluten. Jumbo also warns that its zero option may have a laxative effect if eaten in excess.
As well as checking the wording on the front, read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings for the exact option you’re buying.
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Judging the product by the front of the pack alone
Plain, wholemeal and no added sugars describe different features. None of these terms alone tells you how much sugar or fibre a slice contains.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g. If you’re packing a portion to take with you, also check the weight per slice or pack.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
Jumbo lists options including a 550 g pre-sliced plain cake and individually wrapped plain portions in a pack of 10 × 28 g.
- These pack formats let you choose between preparing portions yourself and taking ready-made portions with you.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the option you choose.
PLUS huismerk
PLUS lists a 550 g unsliced plain cake and a 485 g pre-sliced Zero option.
- For its Zero option, PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 15,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- A claim about sugars doesn’t tell you about allergens, so check the label of the cake you choose.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI Nederland lists pre-sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and pre-sliced Ontbijtkoek Zero, both in 485 g packs.
- If you want a slice that’s ready to pack, both options are available pre-sliced.
- Check the pack for the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values that apply to the option you choose.
Jumbo huismerk
Jumbo Ontbijtkoek Gesneden, in a 475 g pack, is an option to consider if you want to compare sugars and fibre on the label.
- Jumbo lists 5,8 g of sugars and 17,4 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product contains rye and wheat; Jumbo also warns that it may have a laxative effect if eaten in excess.
G'woon
The pack of six breakfast cakes is an option if you’re looking for individually portioned pieces.
- For this option, Joybuy lists 37,3 g of sugars and 3,1 g of fibre per 100 g.
- According to the product information, the cake may contain traces of wheat, barley, oats, milk, almonds and hazelnuts.
Breakfast cake on Joybuy
This individually wrapped breakfast cake could suit anyone looking to take a portion to school as an extra in their lunch. Check the wording on the pack alongside the current label.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g
The individually wrapped portions make it easy to take a piece of breakfast cake along as an extra in your lunch.
The pack contains 250 g. Rye and cereals containing gluten are listed for this product; check the current label for information about possible traces of nuts and milk too.
Compare the nutritional information on the pack before taking the Less Sugar-Free wording into account when making your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is breakfast cake enough for a secondary school pupil’s lunch?
No. Serve breakfast cake as an extra, not as a complete lunch. For an average 30 g slice, the Voedingscentrum lists values including 11,2 g of sugars, 1,1 g of fibre and 0,9 g of protein. Also consider what else is in the lunchbox.
Is breakfast cake with no added sugars always the right choice?
No. That wording doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value or ingredients. For its Zero option, PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars, 4,9 g of sugars and 15,6 g of fibre per 100 g, but it also contains rye and cereals containing gluten. Compare the full labels of the options you’re considering.
How can I check allergens before packing breakfast cake for school?
Read the allergen information on the pack of the exact option you’re buying. The PLUS Naturel and Zero options checked contain rye and cereals containing gluten, and may also contain wheat, barley and oats. If needed, ask the school about its policy on food or allergens.