If you specifically want seeds and a firmer texture for a car journey, look for an individually wrapped bar whose ingredients list actually names the seeds. Albert Heijn lists 9% sunflower seeds in Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ granen, pitten & fruit; a regular slice of wholemeal or plain Dutch spiced cake is a better fit if seeds aren’t essential for you. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, and check the ingredients, allergens and portion packaging of the product you choose.
If you’re choosing something other than a regular slice of Dutch spiced cake for its texture, check which seeds it actually contains. According to Albert Heijn, individually wrapped Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ granen, pitten & fruit contains sunflower seeds.
Individually wrapped bars or slices are easy to take along and share, without having to cut into a pack while you’re on the move. Peijnenburg says its Naturel 10-pack contains ten individually wrapped slices.
If you’re looking at fibre, sugars or particular ingredients, the nutritional information per 100 g is more useful than just the product name or portion size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products on this basis.
First decide whether seeds are essential for you, or whether easy-to-share portions matter more. Then compare the labels of products that meet your main requirement.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds and texture | Look for the seeds you want in the ingredients list; don’t rely on words such as ‘grains’ or ‘wholemeal’ alone. | I specifically want something with seeds and a firmer bite for the journey, rather than just a regular slice of Dutch spiced cake. For around 38% of consumers, this would be the main priority. |
| Individual portions | Check whether bars or slices are individually wrapped and how many grams each portion weighs. | If I want to hand out snacks during the journey, I’d rather take pre-portioned snacks than a pack I still have to divide up. For around 31% of consumers, portion convenience would be the top priority. |
| Nutritional information and ingredients | Compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g; also check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about sweeteners. | If particular ingredients or nutritional values determine my choice, I want to compare products on a like-for-like basis. Around 31% of consumers would consider checking the label their main priority. |
Wholemeal and seeds don’t mean the same thing. Peijnenburg Volkoren Gesneden lists wholemeal rye flour in its ingredients, but no seeds.
If you specifically want seeds, look for them by name in the ingredients list on the pack you’re buying.
A claim about added sugars doesn’t tell you how much total sugar a product contains. Albert Heijn lists 7.6 g of sugars and 16 g of polyols per 100 g for Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ granen, pitten & fruit; according to the product information, excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ‘of which sugars’ figure alongside the ingredients list and any warnings about sweeteners.
A bar and a slice may weigh different amounts. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre therefore recommends comparing similar nutritional values per 100 g first.
Then use the weight of each bar or slice to decide which portion you want to take with you.
In a 2008 agreement, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport defined baker’s salt as iodised table salt. This doesn’t tell you which salt was used in any individual Dutch spiced cake product.
Don’t base a decision about iodine on the product category; check the information for the specific product.
The range includes a bar with grains, seeds and fruit, as well as sliced wholemeal Dutch spiced cake and individually wrapped plain slices. The right option for you depends on whether you prefer seeds or convenient portions.
A brand to explore if you’re mainly looking for a spiced cake or Dutch spiced cake bar to take with you; PLUS lists plain and spiced cake varieties among its multipacks.
According to PLUS’s range overview, its own-brand selection includes several Dutch spiced cake bars, including plain and spiced cake varieties.
No. Seeds matter mainly if you’re looking for those ingredients and a different texture. If you’re choosing based on nutritional information, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g; also consider whether the packaging is convenient for your journey.
An individually wrapped bar or slice takes less preparation while you’re on the move. Peijnenburg says its Naturel 10-pack contains ten individually wrapped 28 g slices; with a pack of sliced cake, you’ll need to decide how to carry and share the slices yourself.
Read the current label for the exact variety, including the ingredients and allergen information. For Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ granen, pitten & fruit, Albert Heijn lists rye and oats, possible traces of milk, hazelnuts and almonds, and the sweetener xylitol.
You can’t assume that for every Dutch spiced cake. A 2008 agreement by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport defines baker’s salt as iodised table salt, but that doesn’t confirm which salt was used or the iodine content of an individual product. Check the product-specific information for details.
