Who might find this useful?

The traveller who wants to grab a slice straight away

They don't want to cut it while travelling, so they look for pre-sliced portions, a suitable portion size and packaging that makes it easy to carry the opened pack in a bag.

The traveller who compares nutritional information

They check the fibre, sugars and sweeteners in each product. If they choose a wholemeal version with xylitol, the warning on the packaging is also relevant.

The stock-up shopper

They take breakfast cake with them on several days of travel and compare the pack weight and number of portions with how much they’re likely to eat.

What should you look for when travelling by train?

First decide whether you want to take one individually wrapped portion or a pack with several slices. Then compare the portion size, nutritional information and how much you’re likely to eat.

What to consider What to check Who is it important to?
Grabbing a portion straight away Check whether the cake is pre-sliced and how much each slice weighs. See whether you can take the rest of the pack with you. If I want to grab something straight away while travelling, I want to know in advance how many slices I can take. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this convenience.
Fibre, sugars and sweeteners Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. If the product contains polyols, read the warnings too. Anyone focused on the ingredients will want to look beyond the wording on the front of the pack. For around 40% of consumers, this is the main consideration.
Pack size and how much you’ll use Compare the pack weight and number of slices with how much you’ll eat over one or more journeys. If I’m spreading the cake over several days of travel, I don’t want to be left with an opened pack I won’t finish. Avoiding leftovers is a priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sliced means individually wrapped

    With sliced cake in a wrapper, the slices aren’t automatically wrapped individually. So you’ll need to take care with an opened pack if you’re carrying it in a bag.

    If you want to take one unopened portion, check whether the slices are individually wrapped. Otherwise, carry the opened pack in a resealable bag or food container.

  • Looking only at the information about sugars

    The Peijnenburg wholemeal version discussed here contains xylitol. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    As well as checking the nutritional information, read the ingredients and warnings before taking several slices with you.

  • Assuming you know the allergens from the product category

    The regular Peijnenburg and AH versions discussed here list rye. Allergen information can vary between products.

    Check the current ingredients and allergen declaration for the exact pack you’re buying, especially if you have coeliac disease or a grain allergy.

  • Assuming every pack contains iodine-enriched baker’s salt

    General information about baker’s salt doesn’t tell you which ingredients are used in a particular breakfast cake.

    If you’ve been prescribed an iodine-restricted diet, check the label and, if necessary, ask the manufacturer or your healthcare professional for product-specific information.

Brands to compare

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg offers regular sliced breakfast cake as well as a sliced wholemeal version.

  • According to Jumbo, the 550 g regular sliced version contains 18 slices.
  • The wholemeal version discussed here contains xylitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption. Check the ingredients of the version you choose.

AH

Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes a 485 g pack of regular sliced breakfast cake.

  • Albert Heijn lists 16 portions of 30 g for this version.
  • The version discussed here lists rye and gluten-containing cereals. Check the current allergen declaration.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes its own-brand sliced plain breakfast cake.

  • The listed sliced plain version comes in a 475 g pack.
  • For ingredients, nutritional information and allergens, check the page or packaging for the specific product.

PLUS

PLUS offers its own-brand sliced plain breakfast cake.

  • The listed pack contains 485 g of breakfast cake.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients and nutritional information; product details can change.

Bolletje

Jumbo lists a 500 g pack of sliced breakfast cake from Bolletje.

  • The sliced format and pack weight are useful points to compare with other packs.
  • Check the current label for nutritional information and allergens.

Sliced breakfast cake on Joybuy

This 485 g wholemeal breakfast cake is an option if you want to take slices from one pack on a train journey. Check the packaging to see how many slices it contains and how best to carry the opened pack.

g'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g

g'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g

A good option if you want to take a pre-sliced portion with you and can use the rest of the pack too.

Sliced wholemeal breakfast cake in a 485 g pack.

Check the pack for the number of slices, portion size and current allergen declaration. Also consider how you’ll carry the pack once it’s open.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What’s useful about sliced breakfast cake on the train?

You can grab a slice without taking a knife with you. If you want one unopened portion, check whether the slices are individually wrapped. With a larger pack, you’ll need to be able to carry the rest once it’s open.

What should I look for in wholemeal breakfast cake?

Compare the fibre and sugars per 100 g and per portion, and read the ingredients. The Peijnenburg wholemeal version discussed here contains xylitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption.

Can I eat breakfast cake containing rye if I have a grain allergy?

Don’t rely on the product category: the regular Peijnenburg and AH versions discussed here list rye. If you have a grain allergy or coeliac disease, always check the current allergen declaration for the specific product.

Does all breakfast cake contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?

You can’t assume that every product does. If the presence of iodine matters to your choice, check the label and, if necessary, ask the manufacturer for information about the ingredients used.

How should I carry an opened pack?

Once opened, carry the pack in a resealable bag or food container, and follow the storage instructions on the pack. For the regular version discussed here, Peijnenburg recommends storing it in a cool, dark place, preferably in a sealed tin or container, according to the product page.