Who are these options for?

Night-shift workers who need a strictly sugar-free option

You’re looking for an egg cake that is explicitly labelled as sugar-free. A claim such as ‘no added sugars’ isn’t enough: check the nutritional information too.

Night-shift workers weighing up their snack choices

You want something small to eat during your shift and are wondering whether a sweet egg cake is right for the occasion, or whether you’d rather take a different snack with you.

Egg cake buyers checking allergens or fibre

You compare the allergens in the variety you’ve chosen or check the fibre content of a wholemeal egg cake, without assuming that wholemeal also means sugar-free.

What should you look for when choosing?

Before comparing products, decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement or whether you’re mainly looking for a practical snack for your night shift. That distinction determines which information on the label matters most.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Sugar-free claim Check the exact claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g. The Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for a product to be labelled ‘sugar-free’. If sugar-free is a strict requirement for me, I don’t want to rely on claims such as ‘sugar-conscious’ or ‘no added sugars’. Around 38% of consumers prioritise a verifiably sugar-free option.
Snack time Compare the sugars per planned portion and consider whether you want to take a sweet biscuit or a different snack with you. During my night shift, I want to make a conscious choice about what I eat between meals rather than automatically reaching for a sweet biscuit. For around 25% of consumers, this choice at snack time matters most.
Allergens and ingredients Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying; assess fibre and sugars separately. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the information on the pack I’m buying takes priority over other preferences. Around 12% of consumers give this check top priority.
Taking it with you and availability Check current availability and how many you want to take with you; a temporary offer tells you nothing about the sugar content. For my next shift, I want to be able to buy a snack and take it with me without relying on a temporary offer. For around 25% of consumers, this practical consideration comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option, you could end up choosing the wrong variety.

    Compare the exact claim with the nutritional information per 100 g. The Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for a product to be labelled ‘sugar-free’.

  • Looking only at the kilocalories per cake

    The figure per cake doesn’t tell you how much sugar you’ll get per 100 g or in your planned portion. Portion size also affects the comparison.

    Check the amount of sugars both per 100 g and per portion before comparing varieties.

  • Assuming wholemeal means sugar-free

    Jumbo lists 3.9 g of fibre and 33.6 g of sugars per 100 g for its wholemeal egg cakes. So ‘wholemeal’ answers a different question from a sugar-free claim.

    Check the fibre and sugar content separately on the pack of the variety you’ve chosen.

  • Assuming a sweet biscuit is the go-to fix for an energy dip at night

    VGZ explains that quick-release sugars during a night shift can cause a short-lived energy boost followed by a dip. An egg cake isn’t an obvious choice if that dip is your main concern.

    Think ahead about which snack you want to take with you and compare the nutritional information per portion, even if you don’t choose an egg cake.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides product information for AH egg cakes.

  • The product information lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • According to Albert Heijn, AH egg cakes contain 31 g of sugars per 100 g, so they don’t meet a strict sugar-free requirement.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information for products including its wholemeal egg cakes.

  • Jumbo lists 3.9 g of fibre per 100 g for the wholemeal variety.
  • According to Jumbo, the same variety contains 33.6 g of sugars per 100 g, so wholemeal doesn’t mean sugar-free in this case.

Bolletje

Bolletje describes a Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel with a milk coating.

  • The ingredient information gives you a clear picture of what this variety contains.
  • Bolletje lists sugar in the ingredients and in the milk coating, so don’t treat this variety as sugar-free.

Lidl

Lidl listed egg cakes as an in-store product in a time-limited offer.

  • The product listing mentioned a pack of 12.
  • When buying, check the current pack for sugars and ingredients; a temporary in-store offer doesn’t make an egg cake sugar-free.

ALDI

ALDI listed Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken in a pack of 12, weighing 360 g.

  • The number of cakes and pack weight help you plan portions.
  • Check the nutritional information on the pack you’re buying to assess its sugar content and allergens.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No. A product can still contain sugars even if no sugars have been added. The Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for a product to be labelled ‘sugar-free’, so check both the claim and the nutritional information.

Are AH egg cakes or Jumbo wholemeal egg cakes sugar-free?

No. These specific varieties don’t meet a sugar-free requirement: Albert Heijn lists 31 g of sugars per 100 g for AH egg cakes, and Jumbo lists 33.6 g per 100 g for its wholemeal egg cakes. If you choose a different variety, check its packaging again.

Should I take an egg cake or something else for a night shift?

If you’re mainly looking for a less sweet snack, don’t automatically choose an egg cake. For eating during the night, VGZ suggests other options such as yoghurt, quark and unsalted nuts. Compare the nutritional information, portion size and practicality of taking it with you before deciding.

Which allergens should I check in egg cakes?

Check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re planning to buy. The product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists ingredients including egg, cereals containing gluten, milk and soya in the egg cakes discussed here. Don’t assume every egg cake has the same ingredients.