Parents packing a lunchbox
They’re looking for a portion that’s already individually wrapped and doesn’t need slicing first. Before packing it, check the label and the nursery or school’s rules on food and allergens.
Who are the different pack sizes for?
Families sharing at home
They want to get several snacks out of one pack. A sliced loaf makes portioning easy; if you’re taking it out with you, you’ll need to wrap the portion yourself.
Parents comparing labels
They want to know which ingredients and allergens apply to the specific product. PLUS lists rye and cereals containing gluten for Peijnenburg Naturel Portieverpakking, with possible traces of milk and nuts.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether breakfast cake is right for this snack time. Then choose the pack size you need and read the label for the product you’ve selected.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individually wrapped portions | Check how many pieces are individually wrapped and how large each one is. | If I’m packing a lunchbox, I don’t want to have to slice a piece or wrap a slice separately. For around 33% of consumers, this convenience is the most important factor. |
| Label and snack time | Read the ingredients and allergen information, and consider whether breakfast cake is right for the snack time you have in mind. | I want to know what my child will be eating before I pack it, and whether it fits in with the nursery’s rules. This is the main consideration for around 42% of consumers. |
| Portioning at home | Check the pack size and whether the cake is sliced. For a lunchbox, you’ll need to wrap a portion yourself. | At home, I want to be able to take a portion from one pack at different times. This is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘no added sugar’ as a reason to give your toddler breakfast cake every day
This claim refers to one characteristic of a product. For babies and toddlers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends snacks from the Wheel of Five, such as fruit, vegetables or wholemeal bread.
Compare the nutritional information for the product you’ve chosen, then decide separately which snack you want to offer.
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Packing a multipack without reading the allergen label
For Peijnenburg Naturel Portieverpakking, PLUS lists rye and cereals containing gluten; milk and nuts may also be present. This doesn’t tell you what’s on the label of a different product.
Read the current packaging and take account of the rules at your child’s nursery or school.
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Assuming all breakfast cakes contain the same ingredients
A general note about baker’s salt or iodine won’t tell you which ingredients are in the breakfast cake you’re buying.
If it matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
The Peijnenburg formats reviewed include both individually wrapped portions and sliced breakfast cake.
- PLUS lists ten individually wrapped portions in the Naturel Portieverpakking; Jumbo also shows other pack sizes.
- For the Naturel Portieverpakking, PLUS lists rye and cereals containing gluten, with possible traces of milk and nuts. Check the current label.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI lists sliced Koek & Bakker breakfast cake in 485 g packs, including a wholemeal variety and a Zero variety.
- The sliced format is handy if you want to portion it yourself at home.
- For a lunchbox, you’ll need to wrap a slice yourself. Consider claims on the packaging alongside the nutritional information.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI lists Goud Gebakken Koekhappers spice cake or breakfast cake in a pack of six individually wrapped pieces.
- The individual wrapping is handy if you want to take a piece with you without wrapping it separately.
- Check the current packaging for the ingredients and allergens in the variety you’ve chosen.
Tastino
This brand is worth considering when comparing sliced breakfast cake and cake bars at Lidl.
- Lidl lists a 485 g sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and packs of six cake bars.
- A sliced cake and individually wrapped bars are different formats. Read the label for the specific product before choosing.
Breakfast cake at Joybuy
These two products show an individually wrapped breakfast cake for taking out and a sliced option for home. Don’t choose on convenience alone: check the portion size and label before giving anything to a toddler.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g
An option to consider if you want breakfast cake in individual packs to take with you. The pack contains 250 g; decide for yourself what portion to give a toddler. The name doesn’t prove that the cake is sugar-free. Check the current label for sugars, gluten and other allergens.
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g'woon sliced wholemeal breakfast cake 485 g
A sliced pack that lets you take portions at home; for a lunchbox, you’ll need to wrap your chosen slice yourself. The wholemeal rye flour claim conflicts with the allergen information for this product. So check the current label for gluten and other allergens before packing it for a toddler.
Frequently asked questions
Is breakfast cake an everyday snack for a toddler?
For snacks for babies and toddlers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from the Wheel of Five, such as fruit, vegetables or wholemeal bread. So don’t automatically treat breakfast cake as an everyday choice.
Does a multipack of breakfast cake contain gluten?
Check the current label for each variety. For Peijnenburg Naturel Portieverpakking, PLUS lists rye and cereals containing gluten, with possible traces of milk and nuts. Don’t assume the same applies to every multipack.
Which format is handy for a lunchbox?
Individually wrapped pieces need less preparation when you want to take something with you. With a sliced breakfast cake, you choose the portion and wrap it separately. Either way, check the label and the rules at your child’s nursery or school.
Can I assume all breakfast cakes contain iodine?
No. A general note about baker’s salt won’t tell you which ingredients are in the breakfast cake you’ve chosen. Check the ingredients list on the specific pack.