Choose a breakfast cake bar with grains and seeds if you want an individually wrapped portion with clearly listed seeds. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ grains, seeds & fruit contains oats and sunflower seeds. Sliced breakfast cake is a better choice if you’d like guests to help themselves to a slice. Whichever you choose, compare the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for the specific variety: seeds don’t automatically make a cake gluten-free, and no added sugars doesn’t mean sugar-free.
You want a breakfast cake with recognisable grains and seeds to enjoy with your coffee, rather than a plain variety. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ grains, seeds & fruit contains oat flakes and sunflower seeds.
You want to know what a claim such as ‘no added sugars’ means for the cake you choose. Check the nutritional information for sugars, fibre and any sweeteners too; the values vary between varieties.
You’re serving breakfast cake to a group and want to know whether the variety you’ve chosen is suitable for them. According to Albert Heijn, the Peijnenburg bar with grains and seeds contains rye and oats, and may contain milk, hazelnuts and almonds.
First decide whether seeds in the cake or the serving format matters most to you. Then compare the nutritional information, and check the label on your chosen pack if you have dietary or allergen requirements.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Grains and seeds | Look for the named grains and seeds in the ingredients list, and compare their proportions if these are given. | If I’m choosing a cake specifically for its seeds, I want to see them in the ingredients, not just in the product name. This is the main priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Sugars and fibre | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion, and check which sweeteners or polyols are listed. | I want to compare varieties without mistaking a claim on the front of the pack for the full nutritional picture. This is a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Serving format | Check whether you’re buying individually wrapped bars or a sliced cake, and how many portions are in the pack. | For guests, I want to be able to put out slices; when I’m out and about, I’d rather take an individually wrapped bar. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this practical difference. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the allergen statement on the current pack and check for the relevant dietary claim on the exact variety you’re buying. | When I’m serving others, I need to know whether the cake meets their allergen or dietary requirements. For around 15% of consumers, suitability is the first consideration. |
You can’t tell that from the ingredient names. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ grains, seeds & fruit contains rye and oats. Cereals containing gluten are listed, and the bar may contain milk, hazelnuts and almonds.
Read the allergen statement on the pack you’ve chosen before serving. If gluten-free is essential, choose a product specifically labelled gluten-free and check its label too.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the Peijnenburg bar contains naturally occurring sugars and xylitol. The product information also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as checking the claim on the front of the pack, read the ingredients and nutritional information, including sugars and polyols per 100 g and per portion.
The presence of grains or seeds in breakfast cake doesn’t mean the product contains iodised baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
Don’t assume breakfast cake is a reliable source of iodine just because of the product category. Check product-specific information if iodine is relevant to your choice.
These examples showcase different types of breakfast cake. Check each product individually to see whether it actually contains seeds and which ingredients and allergens are listed.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Tussendoor+ grains, seeds & fruit is an individually wrapped breakfast cake bar containing oats and sunflower seeds.
Albert Heijn’s breakfast cake range includes sliced plain, wholemeal and zero varieties, as well as the individually wrapped Peijnenburg bar with grains and seeds.
Jumbo’s breakfast cake range includes various bars and a whole, unsliced breakfast cake specifically offered as gluten-free.
ALDI offers sliced Koek & Bakker breakfast cake in wholemeal and zero varieties, both in 485 g packs.
No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ grains, seeds & fruit contains naturally occurring sugars and xylitol. For the variety you choose, check both the ingredients and the listed sugars and polyols.
Not automatically. According to Albert Heijn, the Peijnenburg bar with grains and seeds contains rye and oats, and may contain milk, hazelnuts and almonds. Before serving, check the allergen statement on the exact pack you’re using.
Individually wrapped bars are handy for set portions or taking with you; with a sliced cake, guests can help themselves. According to Albert Heijn, the Peijnenburg variety with grains and seeds contains four individually wrapped bars of 36,7 g. Choose the format that suits how you want to serve it, then check the ingredients for that variety.
No, you can’t tell from the presence of seeds. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. If you’re checking for iodine, rely on product-specific information rather than the name ‘breakfast cake’.
