A cake bar isn’t the best choice for a regular snack for a toddler. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing foods from the Dutch Wheel of Five, such as fruit, vegetables or wholemeal bread. If you do want to take a biscuit or cake bar along occasionally, check the actual portion size and the label, look for any allergens, and ask about the school or childcare setting’s rules before packing it.
You’re looking for something for a regular snack, not just a handy pack. For babies and toddlers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing foods from the Dutch Wheel of Five for snacks, particularly fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread.
An individually wrapped option can be handy for an outing or another special occasion. Just check how much your child will actually get: an inner pack may contain more than one biscuit.
If your child needs to avoid certain ingredients, or their school or childcare setting has its own rules, the product name alone isn’t enough. Read the current label and ask which products the setting allows.
First decide whether you’re choosing a regular snack or an occasional biscuit treat. Then check the portion size and, if you’re packing something, the allergens and the setting’s rules.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday snack | For a regular snack, first choose a suitable food from the Dutch Wheel of Five; don’t judge a cake bar solely by a claim on the front of the pack. | If I give my child a snack every day, I want to choose something that follows the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice for babies and toddlers. Around 42% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Allergens and venue rules | Read the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the packaging. Ask the school or childcare setting about its policy in advance. | If my child needs to avoid certain ingredients or is taking food to childcare, I want to know whether this particular product is allowed. For around 33% of consumers, this check would be the top priority. |
| Portion size and taking it along | Check the number of pieces in the inner pack and the nutritional information for the actual portion, not just per 100 g. | For an occasional biscuit treat, I want to be able to take something along without automatically giving my child the whole pack. Around 25% of consumers would put this need first. |
A pack may contain several biscuits. For a small biscuit, sweet or ice cream treat for young children, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives less than 75 kcal as a guideline; a pack won’t necessarily fit that limit.
Count the pieces and check the energy per portion. Only then decide how much to give your child.
A claim such as ‘less sugar’ or ‘high in fibre’ doesn’t automatically make a cake bar suitable as an everyday snack for a toddler.
For a regular snack, first choose a suitable option from the Dutch Wheel of Five. If you’re comparing biscuits for a special occasion, check the ingredients, nutritional information and portion size.
The name won’t tell you which gluten-containing cereals or other relevant allergens are in the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly identifiable on the label.
Check the current packaging, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
A school or childcare setting may have its own rules about food brought in and allergens. The label alone won’t tell you whether the setting allows this snack.
Ask about the current policy in advance and choose something that fits.
These examples show what product information can be useful when comparing options. A product range or brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether an individual product is suitable for a toddler.
Albert Heijn sells products including spiced cake bars and breakfast cake bars, so you can compare the size and product information of different varieties.
Jumbo’s snack bar range includes a variety of product types. Muesli bars, nut bars and cake bars aren’t necessarily comparable.
Lidl lists cake bars in sultana and spiced cake and breakfast cake varieties, with six bars per pack.
Individually wrapped Lotus Speculoos biscuits are a different size from a cake bar and could be considered for an occasional biscuit treat.
ALDI’s biscuit range includes products such as biscuits and cereal biscuits. Don’t assume these are directly comparable to an individual cake bar.
Not as a regular choice. For babies and toddlers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing foods from the Dutch Wheel of Five for snacks, such as fruit, vegetables or wholemeal bread. Biscuits are better saved for an occasional treat.
Not necessarily: it may contain several biscuits. Check the number of pieces and the energy content for the amount you’ll actually give your child, rather than looking only at the figures per 100 g.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly identifiable on the label, so don’t rely on the product name alone.
Read the warning for any allergens relevant to your child. If you’re unsure about an individual food allergy, ask your child’s healthcare professional or dietitian for advice before choosing the product.
Have your child sit calmly and stay with them while they eat, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises. Make sure the size and texture are suitable for what your child can chew. Don’t give whole nuts or peanuts to children under four because of the risk of choking.
