When choosing breakfast cake for an older person, or to serve to a group, don’t rely on the word ‘zero’ alone: compare the carbohydrates, sugars, fibre and salt per 100 g. A wholegrain option may suit someone who is particularly interested in fibre, while pre-sliced or individually wrapped cake can make it easier to serve consistent portions. Check the ingredients and warnings too, as some varieties contain polyols, which may have a laxative effect if eaten in excess.
You’re looking for breakfast cake with no added sugar and want to compare the fibre content per 100 g, perhaps alongside the wholegrain claim. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional values on the same basis.
You’re looking for pre-sliced or individually wrapped breakfast cake that’s easy to portion out, and you check how many slices or portions are in a pack.
You want to avoid added sugars, but also check which sweeteners have been used. The warning about a possible laxative effect if eaten in excess is relevant for the Peijnenburg and Jumbo varieties described here.
Start with the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients list. Then consider which pack format is best for eating or serving the breakfast cake.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and carbohydrates | Read the exact claim and compare carbohydrates and ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. | If I want to avoid added sugars, I still want to know how much sugar and how many carbohydrates the cake contains. For around 42% of consumers, this is the most important factor when choosing. |
| Sweeteners and polyols | Check the ingredients list for sweeteners and read any warning on the packaging. | If I’m sensitive to certain sweeteners, I want to know what’s in the cake before choosing a portion. For around 33% of consumers, tolerance is the main consideration. |
| Portions and serving | Check whether the cake is sliced or individually wrapped, and how many portions the pack contains. | If I’m serving breakfast cake to several people, I want to be able to portion it out easily. For around 25% of consumers, this practical convenience is the deciding factor. |
Breakfast cake with no added sugars can still contain naturally occurring sugars and carbohydrates. According to the nutritional information from PLUS, Peijnenburg Naturel contains 52 g of carbohydrates per 100 g; Jumbo lists 52.7 g per 100 g for its sliced breakfast cake.
So compare the amounts of carbohydrates and ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.
The Peijnenburg and Jumbo varieties described here contain xylitol and maltitols respectively. Their product information warns of a possible laxative effect if eaten in excess.
Read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging, especially if the cake is for someone who is sensitive to these ingredients.
Ingredients and nutritional information can change. Albert Heijn advises customers to check the packaging for dietary and allergy information too.
Read the current label before buying or serving, especially if ingredients, allergens or iodine are important to your choice.
Peijnenburg offers varieties with no added sugar in sliced and individually wrapped formats.
Jumbo lists a sliced breakfast cake in a 475 g pack with the claim ‘zero% added sugar’.
ALDI lists a pre-sliced 485 g Koek & Bakker Ontbijtkoek Zero with no added sugar.
Albert Heijn lists AH Ontbijtkoek zero gesneden.
Lidl lists Ontbijtkoek zero as a 485 g pack available in store.
No. Under EU Regulation 1924/2006, this claim means that no mono- or disaccharides, or other foods used for their sweetening properties, have been added. The product may still contain naturally occurring sugars and carbohydrates, so compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
Some varieties contain polyols, such as xylitol or maltitols, and carry a warning about a possible laxative effect if eaten in excess. This applies to the Peijnenburg and Jumbo varieties described here. For other breakfast cakes, check the ingredients and warnings on the individual pack.
No. Don’t assume that every breakfast cake contains iodised baker’s salt. A publication from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport describes an agreement on its use in bakery products. If iodine is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients of the specific breakfast cake.
