Cyclists who want to take one cake with them
You want to pop an unopened cake in your bag or pocket. Look for ‘individually wrapped’: a pack containing several cakes doesn’t tell you whether each one has its own wrapper.
Who is this relevant for?
Endurance cyclists planning when to eat
On a longer, intensive ride, you’ll want to know how many carbohydrates are in the cake you actually eat. Compare the portion size with the other food and drink you have during your ride.
Cyclists choosing an everyday snack
You mainly eat egg cakes before or after a ride. In that case, you can compare portion size, fibre, sugars and ingredients without making an individual wrapper your top priority.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to take the cake unopened for your ride or eat it at home, before setting off or afterwards. Then check the nutritional information for the portion you’ll actually have.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual wrapping | Look for ‘individually wrapped’; ‘pack of 8’ doesn’t confirm that each cake has its own wrapper. | If I want to pop one cake in my bike bag, I don’t want to open the rest of the pack first. Around 46% of consumers say individual wrapping is their primary need. |
| Carbohydrates per portion | Check the weight and carbohydrates per cake or portion, not just per 100 g. | On a longer, intensive ride, I want to plan when I eat around what I’m also drinking and eating. For around 36% of consumers, carbohydrates per actual portion come first. |
| Everyday snack choice | Compare fibre, sugars, ingredients and allergens on the current label. | If I mainly eat the cake outside my ride, I want to know what’s in the portion I’ve chosen. That’s the primary consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a pack of eight means eight individual wrappers
Albert Heijn describes its mini egg cakes as ‘packed in 8s’. That doesn’t tell you whether each cake is individually wrapped.
If you’re taking them on the go, look for the explicit wording ‘individually wrapped’ or check the packaging before you buy.
-
Assuming the nutritional values per 100 g apply to one cake
Albert Heijn lists a 30 g portion for its standard egg cakes, while Jumbo lists a 75 g portion for a standard variety. So a comparison per 100 g doesn’t tell you how much you’ll get in each serving.
When planning what to eat on your ride, use the nutritional information and weight of the cake you’ll actually take with you.
-
Assuming Bolletje’s cinnamon variety is always available
Bolletje describes its Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel as individually wrapped, but doesn’t list the variety as a permanent product. Jumbo says it’s no longer part of its online range.
Check current availability and packaging before choosing this variety for a ride.
-
Taking an egg cake instead of a drink
A cake doesn’t replace your drink while you’re cycling. What you’ll want to eat and drink depends, among other things, on the length and intensity of your ride.
Plan your drinks separately from your snack and take the conditions of your ride into account.
Brands and product ranges compared
SPAR
SPAR explicitly labels its egg cake ‘individually wrapped’ and lists it as a single piece.
- Individual wrapping makes it easy to take one unopened cake with you.
- Also check the cake’s nutritional information and ingredients.
Bolletje
Bolletje says its Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel is individually wrapped.
- The packaging is described as ideal for anyone who wants to take one cake along.
- Bolletje doesn’t list the cinnamon variety as a permanent product; Jumbo says it’s no longer in its online range.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists portion sizes and nutritional information for several egg cakes, including a wholemeal variety.
- For its standard egg cakes, Albert Heijn lists 12 portions of 30 g; its wholemeal variety contains 3,5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- ‘Packed in 8s’ for the mini egg cakes doesn’t confirm that they have individual wrappers.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists nutritional information for standard and wholemeal egg cakes.
- One standard variety contains 44,5 g of carbohydrates per 75 g portion; the wholemeal variety contains 3,9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- For own-brand varieties, check whether each cake has its own wrapper.
Lidl
Lidl lists Sondey Egg Cakes as a 360 g pack containing 12 pieces.
- The number of cakes and pack weight can help you choose the right pack size.
- Check the packaging itself if you need individual wrappers for your bike ride.
ALDI / Heerlijck Banket
ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket Free-Range Egg Cakes as a pack of 12, weighing 360 g.
- The quantity and pack weight are clearly stated.
- If you want to take one cake with you, check the wrappers and nutritional information on the product.
Egg cakes on Joybuy
Matching products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an egg cake for a bike ride lasting less than an hour?
No, not as special sports nutrition: according to the Voedingscentrum, sports bars and gels are generally unnecessary for exercise lasting less than an hour. You can still choose an egg cake as an everyday snack.
When does the portion size of an egg cake matter while cycling?
On a longer, intensive ride, it’s worth including the carbohydrates in the cake you actually eat in your food plan. Check the weight and carbohydrates per portion on the packaging, and plan your drinks separately.
Is a wholemeal egg cake suitable just before an intensive ride?
That depends on the portion and what you find comfortable to eat before exercising. The Voedingscentrum advises taking care with large portions and lots of fibre just before exercise if they give you digestive problems. ‘Wholemeal’ also tells you nothing about whether the cake is individually wrapped.
Which allergens should I check in egg cakes?
Always check the ingredients and allergens on the label of the egg cake you choose. The products discussed may contain allergens including egg, milk, soya and wheat or other cereals containing gluten; don’t assume every variety has the same ingredients.