Holidaymakers looking for seeds and fibre
You want to take a Dutch breakfast cake bar containing grains and seeds with you. Don’t just look at the front of the pack: check the ingredients and the amount of fibre per 100 g and per bar too.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers comparing sugars and sweeteners
You want to know what a claim such as ‘no added sugars’ means for the bar you’re buying. Compare the total sugars and check which sweeteners and usage warnings are listed on the label.
Travellers who need to check allergens
Before you set off, check the packaging of your chosen variety for ingredients such as rye or soya, and for statements about possible traces of milk, nuts or other cereals containing gluten.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with what you want to take with you: a bar that clearly contains seeds, individually wrapped portions, or slices from a pre-sliced cake. Then use the nutrition information per 100 g to compare products, and check what one bar or slice actually contains.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds and fibre | Check which seeds and grains are listed in the ingredients; compare fibre per 100 g and per bar or slice. | I want seeds in my Dutch breakfast cake and want to know how much fibre is in the portion I choose. This combination is the main deciding factor for around 42% of consumers. |
| Taking portions with you | Check the weight of each piece and whether the bars are individually wrapped or the cake is sold pre-sliced. | When I’m on the go, I want to be able to grab an individual portion without having to divide up slices first. For around 33% of consumers, this convenience is the deciding factor. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Compare sugars and salt per 100 g; read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings about sweeteners. | If I’m considering a bar with sweeteners or a possible allergen warning, I want to check that information before travelling. This is the main purchasing concern for around 25% of consumers. |
For a comparison of portions, Peijnenburg lists Tussendoor+ Fruit as four individually wrapped bars weighing 36.7 g each. According to the brand, Peijnenburg Volkoren without added sugars is sold pre-sliced into twelve slices. Packaging format alone tells you nothing about nutritional value, so compare the figures per 100 g too, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Common mistakes
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Assuming the name means it contains seeds
A product name doesn’t tell you which seeds have been added or how many are in the bar. Peijnenburg lists 9% sunflower seeds for Tussendoor+ Fruit and 10% for Tussendoor+ Choco; the pre-sliced wholegrain variety reviewed does not list any seeds in its ingredients.
Check the ingredients for the exact variety, then compare fibre per 100 g and per portion.
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Choosing solely on the basis of ‘no added sugars’
This claim doesn’t tell you how much total sugar a product contains. The Tussendoor+ bars mentioned also contain sweeteners and polyols.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure, compare similar products per 100 g, and look at the ingredients and warnings too.
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Overlooking the sweetener warning
For the Tussendoor+ varieties reviewed, Peijnenburg warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. This is worth bearing in mind if you’re packing several bars for your journey.
Read the warning on the packaging of your chosen variety and factor it into your decision if you plan to eat several portions.
Brands to compare
Peijnenburg
Tussendoor+ Fruit and Choco are individually wrapped Dutch breakfast cake bars. Peijnenburg lists grains and sunflower seeds in their ingredients.
- The product information lists the seeds and nutrition values for each variety, making it easier to compare the bars.
- Both varieties reviewed contain sweeteners and carry a warning about excessive consumption; check the allergen information too.
Snelle Jelle
Albert Heijn lists a range of Snelle Jelle bars under Dutch breakfast cake and spiced cake.
- These bars give you another option to compare in terms of size and nutrition information alongside seeded bars.
- Don’t assume a product contains seeds just because of the brand; check the ingredients of the variety you choose.
AH
Albert Heijn’s range includes pre-sliced wholegrain Dutch breakfast cake, as well as own-brand Dutch breakfast cake and spiced cake bars.
- You can compare pre-sliced cake and bars by portion size and nutrition information.
- Check whether each product actually contains seeds; ‘wholegrain’ doesn’t confirm that it does.
Dutch breakfast cake at Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean a seeded bar is low in sugars?
No, that claim doesn’t tell you the total amount of sugars. Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, then check the amount per bar. Also look at which sweeteners are listed in the ingredients.
Why compare Dutch breakfast cake per 100 g and per portion?
Comparing per 100 g lets you put the nutrition information for similar products side by side, while the figures per bar or slice show what’s in the portion you’re taking with you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that manufacturers set their own portion sizes.
Can I choose any seeded Dutch breakfast cake bar if I have an allergy?
No, check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying. The Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ bars reviewed contain rye and, according to the brand, may also contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other cereals containing gluten. The Choco variety also contains soya.
Does all Dutch breakfast cake in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t infer that from the general rule for baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present via baker’s salt in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products. That doesn’t mean every Dutch breakfast cake is made with it. Check the packaging of a specific product or ask the manufacturer about its ingredients.