If you want strictly sugar-free Dutch breakfast cake to enjoy with your coffee, don’t choose based solely on terms such as ‘zero’ or ‘no added sugar’: the Albert Heijn and Peijnenburg varieties examined list 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product must contain no more than 0.5 g per 100 g to be labelled ‘sugar-free’. If your main aim is to avoid added sugars, you can then compare wholegrain content, fibre and packaging. Also check the ingredients and warnings for the specific variety.
For this choice, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, not just the name on the packaging. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. The zero and no-added-sugar varieties examined, which contain 4.9 g per 100 g, do not meet this threshold.
If a strictly sugar-free option isn’t essential, the ingredients can help you decide. Peijnenburg’s wholegrain breakfast cake with no added sugar is labelled 100% wholegrain and contains 17 g of fibre per 100 g. That doesn’t make it sugar-free.
For coffee at home or on the go, it makes a difference whether the cake is pre-sliced or individually wrapped. Albert Heijn lists 16 portions of 30 g for AH Ontbijtkoek zero gesneden; the Peijnenburg individually wrapped slices examined weigh 28 g each.
First, check whether the sugar content fits your needs. Then compare wholegrain content, fibre and packaging to find the right option for your coffee break.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Compare it with the maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g that the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for ‘sugar-free’ products. | If I want strictly sugar-free Dutch breakfast cake, a ‘zero’ name isn’t enough to guide my choice. Around 45% of consumers would make the actual sugar content their main criterion. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Check for the ‘100% wholegrain’ label and compare fibre figures on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If I mainly want wholegrain rye and fibre with my coffee, I’ll choose based on the ingredients rather than the ‘zero’ name. This would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portions and packaging | Compare pre-sliced cake with individually wrapped slices. If a variety contains xylitol, also read the warning. | For coffee on the go, I want to take a slice with me without having to cut into a whole cake. Convenient portions would be the top priority for around 22% of consumers. |
The zero and no-added-sugar varieties examined list 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g that the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for ‘sugar-free’ products.
If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option, use the nutritional information per 100 g. Treat ‘no added sugar’ as a separate product feature.
Peijnenburg wholegrain breakfast cake with no added sugar is labelled 100% wholegrain and contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. One feature doesn’t mean the other applies too.
First, check the sugar content if that’s what matters most to you. Then compare the wholegrain label and fibre content.
The varieties examined that contain xylitol carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Peijnenburg also warns that its product containing xylitol is not suitable for animals.
Read the warnings on the packaging and keep breakfast cake containing xylitol out of reach of pets.
Peijnenburg offers breakfast cake varieties with no added sugar, including plain and wholegrain options, as well as individually wrapped slices.
AH Ontbijtkoek zero gesneden is a 485 g pre-sliced own-brand variety, with 16 portions listed.
Jumbo’s breakfast cake range includes its own-brand ‘Less Sugar’ variety and Peijnenburg products with no added sugar.
No, these terms don’t mean the same thing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; the Albert Heijn and Peijnenburg varieties examined list 4.9 g per 100 g. So if you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure.
The zero varieties examined contain xylitol and warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the warning for the variety you choose and compare the portion size too.
No, keep it out of reach of pets. Peijnenburg states that its product containing xylitol is not suitable for animals and advises contacting a vet immediately if it is ingested.
