Parents looking for a less sweet occasional treat
You want to compare the added sugars in different egg cakes without treating one as a daily snack. Also consider how much you actually serve.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents looking for a snack to take with them
A small, individually wrapped biscuit can be handy when you’re out and about or at childcare. The packaging alone tells you nothing about its nutritional value or how often you should serve it.
Parents who need to consider allergens or venue policies
If your child has an allergy, a dietary requirement or needs to follow the policy at their childcare setting or school, check the latest packaging for the specific egg cake. The versions reviewed list allergens including wheat or other gluten-containing cereals, egg, milk and soya.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether a biscuit is right for this snack break. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre generally recommends other snacks for young children and suggests keeping biscuits to about once a week rather than having them every day.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugars | Compare both added and total sugars per 100 g, then consider the portion you serve. For the wholemeal and regular egg cakes reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 25 g and 27 g of added sugars per 100 g respectively; both list 31 g of total sugars per 100 g. | If I do offer an egg cake, I want to choose one with less added sugar within this category without overstating the difference. This is the priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Portion size and convenience | Check the nutritional value per piece actually served and how many pieces are in the pack. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the Bolletje Brosse eierkoek melk reviewed is individually wrapped and contains around 65 kcal per piece. | When we’re out and about, I want to decide in advance how much biscuit my toddler gets. A handy pack shouldn’t automatically mean serving biscuits more often. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
| Allergens and requirements | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the latest packaging. Also check the policy of the childcare setting or school in question. | If my child has an allergy or an arrangement with their childcare setting, I need to know whether this particular product is allowed. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming wholemeal means sugar-free
The Albert Heijn wholemeal egg cake reviewed lists more fibre and slightly less added sugar than the regular version, but both list 31 g of total sugars per 100 g.
Use wholemeal as one point of comparison, and also check the total sugars and portion size.
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Assuming a small biscuit is automatically less sweet
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the Bolletje Brosse eierkoek melk reviewed contains around 65 kcal per piece, but also 42 g of sugars per 100 g.
As well as comparing the figures per piece, check the sugars per 100 g, particularly for versions with a milk coating or a sugar topping.
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Relying on an old product listing when checking for allergens
Ingredients and allergen information can change. The egg cakes reviewed list several allergens; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are shown on labels for prepacked foods.
Check the latest packaging for the specific product and ask the childcare setting or school in question about its policies.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
The regular and wholemeal egg cakes reviewed make it possible to compare products within the same category.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the wholemeal version contains 25 g of added sugars and 3.5 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 27 g and 1.4 g respectively in the regular version.
- Both versions reviewed list 31 g of total sugars per 100 g and allergens including egg, milk, soya and wheat. Check the latest packaging.
Bolletje
The Bolletje Brosse eierkoek melk reviewed is individually wrapped, making it handy when you want to take one piece with you.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the version reviewed contains around 65 kcal per piece.
- The version with a milk coating and sugar topping lists 42 g of sugars per 100 g and contains wheat, egg, soya and milk, among other ingredients. The product information also states that it may contain nuts and sesame.
Verkade
San Francisco Zero is a biscuit and is only relevant if you also want to compare a different type of biscuit; it is not an egg cake.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this biscuit lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The product contains maltitols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the allergens on the packaging, too.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is an egg cake a suitable daily snack for a toddler?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends usually choosing something else for young children’s snacks, such as vegetables, fruit or wholemeal bread. According to its guidance, biscuits are better suited to an occasional treat than an everyday snack.
Does a wholemeal egg cake contain less sugar than a regular one?
In the Albert Heijn egg cakes reviewed, the wholemeal version contains less added sugar per 100 g: 25 g compared with 27 g in the regular version. However, both list 31 g of total sugars per 100 g. So also compare the portion you serve.
Does a biscuit with no added sugars also have no sugar?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ means that no sugars or products have been added for their sweetening effect. A biscuit may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Check the total sugars and ingredients on the label.
What should I check if my child is taking an egg cake to childcare or school?
Check the allergens on the latest packaging and ask about the venue’s policy. The egg cakes reviewed list wheat or other gluten-containing cereals, egg, milk and soya, among other allergens. Whether a product is suitable depends on the specific product and the arrangements in place for your child.
Does an individually wrapped biscuit make it easier to manage portions?
An individual pack can make it easier to take one piece with you, but it tells you nothing about the sugars per 100 g or how often you serve biscuits. Check the nutritional information per piece and keep biscuits as an occasional treat for your toddler, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends.