Who is this choice for?

Lunch shoppers looking for seeds

If you’re mainly after crunch and recognisable seeds, a seed cracker is a better fit than ordinary soft breakfast cake. Remember to check the ingredients, allergens and salt content of the cracker you choose.

People who want something they can take with them

Sliced breakfast cake or an individually wrapped bar doesn’t need a knife when you’re out and about. Then check which portion size suits you and compare the nutritional information for each option.

People who want to limit added sugars

For breakfast cake with no added sugars, the sweeteners used also matter. The Albert Heijn and Peijnenburg options reviewed contain xylitol; their labels warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want soft breakfast cake or a product with visible seeds. Then compare the packaging and nutritional information per 100 g and per portion within your chosen category.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Seeds Look for the seeds listed in the ingredients. For crackers, also check for sesame, gluten and salt. I want to see real seeds in my lunch and prefer a crunchy bite to soft cake; this is the main priority for an estimated 42% of consumers.
Taking it with you and eating it Compare sliced portions with individually wrapped bars and check the portion size. I want to be able to take something out of my bag and eat it straight away, without cutting it; this convenience is the main need for an estimated 33% of consumers.
Nutritional information Compare fibre and sugar per 100 g and per portion. For options with no added sugars, also check the sweeteners and warnings. I want to make an informed choice about added sugars or fibre in breakfast cake without overlooking the sweetener information; an estimated 25% of consumers prioritise this when checking the label.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing a seed cracker with breakfast cake containing seeds

    A cracker that clearly lists seeds meets a different need from soft breakfast cake, and has a different texture and ingredients list.

    Decide which type of product you want first. If the seeds are your priority, check the information about sesame, gluten and salt on crackers too.

  • Assuming wholegrain means low in sugar

    PLUS’s product information states that its sliced wholegrain breakfast cake contains 41% wholegrain rye, but also 34.1 g of sugars per 100 g. So the wholegrain label doesn’t tell you how much sugar the cake contains.

    Compare fibre and sugar on the same label, both per 100 g and per portion.

  • Overlooking the sweetener warning

    The Albert Heijn and Peijnenburg breakfast cakes with no added sugars reviewed contain xylitol. Both labels warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; the Peijnenburg option’s label also warns that xylitol is not suitable for animals.

    Read the information about sweeteners and portions, and keep products containing xylitol out of the reach of pets.

  • Assuming the product contains iodine based on its category

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So the name ‘breakfast cake’ alone doesn’t tell you whether baker’s salt has been used.

    If you want to know, check the ingredients information for the product you choose.

Brands to compare

Peijnenburg

Offers, among other options, plain and wholegrain breakfast cake with no added sugars; compare the ingredients and packaging of each option.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the sliced plain option contains 37% rye flour and 3.1 g of fibre per 100 g. PLUS lists 40% wholegrain rye and 17 g of fibre per 100 g for its sliced wholegrain option with no added sugars.
  • The wholegrain option mentioned contains xylitol, rye and gluten. The label warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect and states that xylitol is not suitable for animals.

Albert Heijn

Offers both zero breakfast cake and a separate type of product containing seeds: thin crackers.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, its sliced zero breakfast cake lists 0 g of added sugars and 16 g of fibre per 100 g. Each of the thin crackers contains 13% brown linseeds, white sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.
  • The zero breakfast cake contains xylitol and polyols, and carries a warning about excessive consumption. The seed cracker is not breakfast cake; its label lists gluten, sesame and 1.83 g of salt per 100 g.

PLUS

Its sliced wholegrain breakfast cake is a useful point of comparison if you want to stick to the breakfast cake category.

  • PLUS’s product information lists 41% wholegrain rye and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The same label lists 34.1 g of sugars and 33.63 g of added sugars per 100 g. The product contains rye and gluten; possible traces of wheat, barley and oats are also listed.

Koek & Bakker (ALDI)

ALDI describes a pre-sliced zero option and a pre-sliced wholegrain option for anyone mainly looking for a slice that’s ready to eat.

  • According to ALDI, the zero option has no added sugars; the wholegrain option comes in a 485 g pack.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and any sweeteners on the packaging of the option you choose.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 485 g zero breakfast cake as an in-store product.

  • Lidl’s product page names the product type, pack size and in-store availability.
  • Compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the packaging; the zero label doesn’t mean the ingredients are the same as those in other options.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a seed cracker the same as breakfast cake with seeds?

No, a seed cracker is a different type of product, with a crunchy rather than soft texture. For example, Albert Heijn’s thin seed cracker lists linseeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds; check the ingredients list if those particular seeds are what you’re looking for.

Is wholegrain breakfast cake automatically low in sugar?

No, the word ‘wholegrain’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains. According to PLUS, its sliced wholegrain breakfast cake contains 41% wholegrain rye and 34.1 g of sugars per 100 g, so check both figures on the label of the option you choose.

What should I check in breakfast cake with no added sugars?

Check which sweeteners the option contains and read any warnings on the packaging. The Albert Heijn and Peijnenburg options reviewed contain xylitol and warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; the Peijnenburg packaging also states that xylitol is not suitable for animals.

Can I assume breakfast cake contains iodine because it uses baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume that based on the product type alone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt; check the ingredients information for the product you choose.