Who is this relevant for?

Coffee drinkers looking for seeds in their snack

You want a different texture from an ordinary slice of breakfast cake. Check that the seeds you’re looking for are actually listed in the ingredients: a wholemeal name alone doesn’t tell you that.

Shoppers comparing nutritional information

You want to know how products differ in sugars, fibre, salt and energy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional values per 100 g; then check the weight of a slice or bar.

Shoppers looking for a handy portion for their coffee break

You want a portion that’s easy to take with you. An individually wrapped bar could be a good fit; with sliced breakfast cake, you can decide how many slices to have.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether you want seeds in a bar or would rather have a slice of breakfast cake. Then compare the ingredients, nutritional information and portion size of products that suit the way you’ll enjoy them.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Seeds and texture Look for the seeds you want in the ingredients list. Also check whether the product is a breakfast cake bar or a different type of bar. I want actual seeds in my snack with my coffee, not just the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging. For around 42% of shoppers, that seeded texture would be the first thing to consider.
Nutritional information Compare sugars, fibre, salt and energy per 100 g; then check the amount per slice or bar. When choosing between options, I want to see the nutritional values rather than rely on a claim alone. Around 33% of shoppers would make this their priority.
Portion and convenience Check the weight of each bar or slice and whether portions are individually wrapped. For my coffee break, I want a portion I can take with me without cutting it, or slices where I can choose how many to have. For around 25% of shoppers, that convenience would be the main reason for choosing one option over another.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming wholemeal means the product contains seeds

    A wholemeal breakfast cake doesn’t necessarily contain the seeds you’re looking for to add texture. A claim about no added sugars also tells you nothing about whether the product contains seeds.

    If seeds are essential for you, read the ingredients list first. Then compare the nutritional information of suitable products.

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

    A product with this claim may still contain sugars from its ingredients. Albert Heijn lists 7.6 g of sugars and 16 g of polyols per 100 g for Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ Granen, Pitten & Fruit.

    Check the ‘of which sugars’ row in the nutrition table and read any warnings about sweeteners or polyols on the packaging.

  • Overlooking allergens among the grains and seeds

    Ingredients vary from bar to bar. The Peijnenburg version described contains rye and oats and carries a warning that it may contain milk, nuts and almonds; the Bolletje bar described contains, among other things, wheat, almonds and sesame.

    If you have an allergy, always check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging of the product you’re buying.

  • Assuming an old range listing is still current

    A product page or temporary shop listing doesn’t necessarily tell you what will be available when you buy.

    Check the current product or shop information before choosing a particular version.

Relevant brands to compare

The products mentioned are different types of snack: a breakfast cake bar with seeds isn’t the same as a seed bar or sliced breakfast cake.

Peijnenburg

Worth considering if you’re looking for a breakfast cake bar with grains and seeds alongside the standard breakfast cake range.

  • For Tussendoor+ Granen, Pitten & Fruit, Albert Heijn lists ingredients including oat flakes and sunflower seeds, as well as 15 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • These ingredients apply to that specific bar, not every Peijnenburg breakfast cake. Check the allergen information too.

Bolletje

Worth considering when seeds and nuts matter more to you than a traditional breakfast cake texture.

  • According to Jumbo’s product information, Zaden & Pitten Noten & Sesam contains 56% seeds and nuts.
  • This is a seed and nut bar, not a classic breakfast cake. The version described contains, among other things, wheat, almonds and sesame.

Albert Heijn

Useful for comparing information about a Peijnenburg bar with sliced AH breakfast cake options.

  • Albert Heijn lists breakfast cake options such as plain and wholemeal, alongside information about the Peijnenburg bar with seeds.
  • A breakfast cake labelled wholemeal isn’t necessarily a confirmed choice with seeds; read the label of the specific product.

PLUS

Useful for comparing sliced breakfast cake options.

  • PLUS lists plain, wholemeal and zero breakfast cake in its range overview.
  • These names don’t confirm that a product contains seeds. Check the ingredients of the option you’re considering.

Koek & Bakker

Worth considering if you’d rather have sliced breakfast cake with your coffee than an individually wrapped bar.

  • ALDI describes a 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal breakfast cake from Koek & Bakker.
  • The word wholemeal doesn’t confirm that it contains seeds; check the ingredients list to find out.

Breakfast cake for those who prefer a slice

This sliced wholemeal breakfast cake is suited to those who prefer a traditional slice with their coffee. If you’re specifically looking for seeds in your snack, check the ingredients before considering it as an alternative to a seeded bar.

g'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g

g'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g

For those who prefer to choose a slice of breakfast cake with their coffee rather than having an individually wrapped bar. Joybuy’s product information lists 43% wholemeal rye flour; check the packaging if you’re looking for seeds or want to compare nutritional values per 100 g.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a breakfast cake bar with no added sugars also sugar-free?

No. Albert Heijn lists 7.6 g of sugars and 16 g of polyols per 100 g for Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ Granen, Pitten & Fruit. As well as checking the claim on the front, read the nutrition table and any warnings on the packaging.

How do I compare a bar with a slice of breakfast cake?

First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Then check the weight of the bar or slice, so you know which portion the values relate to for your coffee break.

What should I look for in the allergen information for a seeded bar?

Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the specific packaging. The Peijnenburg bar described contains rye and oats and may contain milk, nuts and almonds; the Bolletje bar described contains, among other things, wheat, almonds and sesame.