Who is this choice relevant to?

Pupils who want to take a seed-topped bar with them

An individually wrapped bar is handy if you want to take breakfast cake without having to cut it up, and you like the texture of grains and seeds. Also check how many grams each bar weighs.

Parents who want to compare nutritional values

Compare fibre and sugars per 100 g and per portion. This shows what a pupil actually takes with them; a claim such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t tell you the whole story.

Families checking allergens and school rules

If a pupil has specific food allergies or dietary requirements, the current ingredients and allergen information are crucial. Also check what rules the school has for food brought from home.

What should you look for when choosing?

If your choice is limited by ingredients or allergens, start there. Then compare the nutritional values and the portion that will actually go into the school bag.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Seeds and fibre Look for seeds in the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g and per portion. I want the texture of seeds, and I look beyond the front of the pack to check the fibre content. For around 40% of consumers, seeds and fibre are the most important factors.
Portion size and packing Check the number of pieces, the weight of each one and whether the cake is individually wrapped. When I’m getting food ready for the school bag, I don’t want to have to cut a large cake into slices first. Around 30% of consumers give this portioning convenience top priority.
Allergens and school rules Read the current allergen information on the pack and, if needed, check the school’s rules. If there’s a specific allergy or school rule, I need to know whether this cake is suitable before packing it. For around 30% of consumers, this check comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Thinking a seed-topped bar is a complete lunch

    Seeds and fibre don’t make a breakfast cake bar a complete lunch with all the recommended components. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes wholegrain foods, vegetables and fruit among its recommendations for school meals.

    If you like, pack breakfast cake as an extra and put the rest of the lunch together separately.

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    Peijnenburg lists 7.6 g of sugars per 100 g for the Tussendoor+ fruit bar reviewed, despite the ‘no added sugars’ claim.

    Check both the ‘of which sugars’ line and the portion size on the current pack before comparing different products.

  • Relying only on the online product description for allergy information

    The Peijnenburg bar reviewed contains rye and oats, and its packaging states that it may also contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other cereals containing gluten. Product information can change.

    Check the physical packaging before packing the bar, and take the individual allergy and school rules into account.

  • Packing extra bars because of the fibre claim

    The Peijnenburg variety reviewed contains xylitol. Peijnenburg warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check the portion size and the warning on the pack; don’t use the fibre claim as a reason to increase the amount.

Brands and shops to consider

Not every breakfast cake mentioned contains seeds. Use the specific product variety as the basis for comparison, not just the brand name.

Peijnenburg

The Tussendoor+ fruit bar is an individually wrapped breakfast cake bar made with grains and sunflower seeds.

  • Peijnenburg lists 9% sunflower seeds and 15 g of fibre per 100 g; Albert Heijn lists four 36.7 g bars per pack.
  • This variety contains rye and oats. According to the product information, it may also contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other cereals containing gluten.

Jumbo

Jumbo Wholegrain Breakfast Cake is an option to compare if seeds aren’t essential.

  • For this variety, Jumbo lists 35.9% wholemeal rye flour and 8.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • This variety isn’t described as a seed-topped breakfast cake. Jumbo lists gluten, rye and wheat, and 35.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides product information for the Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ grains, seeds & fruit pack.

  • The pack listed contains four 36.7 g bars, each individually wrapped.
  • Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so also read the packaging of the product you buy.

Lidl

Lidl lists an Ontbijtkoek zero; this is a different product variety from a bar that specifically lists seeds.

  • If you’re specifically looking for seeds, check the ingredients on the pack before considering this variety as an alternative.

PLUS

PLUS provides information about Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoekrepen Original, which is a different variety from Tussendoor+ fruit.

  • The separate product listing makes it easy to identify the Original variety.
  • For Original, PLUS lists rye and cereals containing gluten, with possible traces of milk and nuts. Don’t assume the ingredients or nutritional values for Tussendoor+ fruit also apply to this variety.

Breakfast cake to take on the go at Joybuy

This individually wrapped breakfast cake is an option to have alongside a school lunch. If you specifically want a bar with seeds, compare the ingredients of the variety you choose before packing it.

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

If you want to take pre-portioned breakfast cake as an addition to lunch, the product description lists five individually wrapped 50 g bars. Check the current packaging for rye and cereals containing gluten, as well as the possibility of milk and nuts being present. Also compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per bar before choosing this variety.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is seed-topped breakfast cake a complete school lunch?

No, it’s better to take seed-topped breakfast cake as an addition. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes wholegrain foods, vegetables and fruit among its recommendations for school meals; a bar doesn’t automatically replace these.

Is Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ fruit gluten-free?

No, the bar reviewed contains rye and oats and states that other cereals containing gluten may also be present. If you need a gluten-free option, always check the current packaging of the specific product.

Should I check the school’s rules about food?

Yes, check with your child’s school what rules apply if allergies or its food policy affect what a pupil can bring. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the school’s food policy.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean a bar contains no sugars?

No. Peijnenburg lists 7.6 g of sugars per 100 g for the Tussendoor+ fruit bar reviewed, despite the ‘no added sugars’ claim. So check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition table too.

Does breakfast cake always provide iodine from baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume this is the case for every breakfast cake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread as an important source of iodine, but that doesn’t tell you which ingredients are used in a specific breakfast cake. Check the product information if this matters to your choice.