If you want to take one individually wrapped egg cake with you on your night shift, choose a variety that is explicitly described as individually wrapped; Jumbo says this about Bolletje Brosse Eierkoeken met melklaagje. A regular pack may also suit you if you wrap the cakes securely yourself for transport. In either case, compare the portion size, nutritional information and allergens on the current packaging.
Want to put an egg cake loose in your bag or locker and open it during your break? Look for a variety that is explicitly individually wrapped, rather than assuming this from the number of cakes in a pack.
If you want to know what you’re eating during a break, compare the weight of each cake and the nutritional information per portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking the label to find out what a snack contains.
For you, the ingredients and allergens in the specific variety are what matter most. The regular egg cakes reviewed list, among other things, egg, milk, soya and wheat or other gluten-containing cereals, so check the current pack every time.
First decide whether you need an unopened portion or can wrap the cakes yourself. Then check the size of the portion and the ingredients in your chosen variety.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individually wrapped | Look for the words ‘individually wrapped’ on the specific variety; the number of cakes in a pack tells you nothing about the inner packaging. | If I want to take one cake unopened for my break, I don’t want to have to repackage an opened pack. For around 42% of consumers, having an individual portion is the top priority. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the weight of each cake and the nutritional value per portion; check sugar, fat, fibre and protein, among other things. | When I eat a cake during my shift, I want to know what that portion adds to what I eat. Around 25% of consumers give nutritional value the highest priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements on the pack. | If I have an allergy or dietary restriction, I need to be able to judge whether this particular variety meets my needs. For around 17% of consumers, ingredients and allergens are the main concern. |
| Number of cakes and pack size | Check the number of cakes and the weight of each one, so the pack suits how often you want to take a cake with you. | If I don’t eat an egg cake on every shift, I don’t want to take or store more than I’ll use. For around 16% of consumers, choosing the right quantity matters most. |
A pack containing several egg cakes doesn’t automatically have individual inner wrappers. Jumbo does explicitly say this about Bolletje Brosse Eierkoeken met melklaagje, and SPAR does so for its individually wrapped egg cake.
If you need one sealed portion, look for the words ‘individually wrapped’ on the exact variety you’re choosing.
The packaging doesn’t change what an egg cake contains. What’s more, cakes of different sizes can make for very different portions.
Check the nutritional information per cake and per 100 g, and consider how the cake fits alongside the other food you eat during your shift.
Ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements can matter even for an individually wrapped cake. According to Jumbo, Bolletje Brosse Eierkoeken met melklaagje contains egg, milk, soya and wheat, among other things.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging before eating it; if you have a dietary restriction, don’t rely solely on the name or type of packaging.
Jumbo describes Bolletje Brosse Eierkoeken met melklaagje as individually wrapped. The pack contains 10 cakes, each weighing approximately 15,5 g.
AH Eierkoeken are an example of a regular pack: Albert Heijn lists 12 portions of 30 g.
Jumbo lists its own egg cakes in a pack of 4 portions of 75 g.
ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket scharreleierkoeken in a pack of 12, weighing 360 g.
Lidl lists Sondey egg cakes as a store product, with 12 cakes and 360 g per pack.
Individual packaging tells you nothing about the ingredients. According to Jumbo, Bolletje Brosse Eierkoeken met melklaagje contains egg, milk, soya and wheat, among other things; there are also ‘may contain’ statements for nuts and sesame. Check the allergen information on the current pack of the variety you want to eat.
Follow the storage instructions on the specific packaging and seal an opened pack as directed. Albert Heijn advises storing AH Eierkoeken in a cool, dry place and closing the packaging securely after use; Jumbo also says to store its egg cakes in a dry, dark place.
Don’t assume that an egg cake is a suitable meal replacement. Albert Heijn Leefstijl’s nutritional advice for night shifts discusses meals that include protein, slow-release carbohydrates and vegetables. So think of an egg cake as a separate snack alongside the other food you eat during your shift.
