Cinema-goers looking for extra bite
You want to take a portion of breakfast cake with you without having to cut it at the cinema. Check the ingredients list to see whether your chosen bar actually contains grains and seeds.
Who is this choice right for?
Shoppers comparing nutritional information
You want to compare fibre, sugars and portion sizes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing products per 100 g first.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
Check the specific variety for the grains, sweeteners and allergens listed, including any warnings that the product may contain other allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether seeds in your breakfast cake are important to you, or whether a slice that’s easy to take with you will do. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of the varieties you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and portability | Check whether grains and seeds are listed in the ingredients and whether the cake is individually wrapped. | I want to be able to grab one portion with a satisfying bite before the film, without having to cut anything; around 42% of consumers prioritise texture and convenience on the go. |
| Fibre, sugars and portion size | Compare fibre and sugars per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll actually take with you. Check the ingredients list for sweeteners, too. | If I choose a slice or a bar, I want to know what the nutritional information means for my portion; for around 33% of consumers, this comparison matters most. |
| Ingredients and alternatives | Read the current allergen information and decide whether a variety with no confirmed seeds still meets your needs. | I need to know what a particular cake contains before choosing between a bar and a standard breakfast cake; around 25% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the front of the pack tells you how many seeds are inside
Ingredients vary between varieties. Albert Heijn lists, among other things, 14% oat flakes and 9% sunflower seeds in Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ Grains, Seeds & Fruit; those amounts don’t automatically apply to other bars.
Read the ingredients list for the variety you choose and check whether percentages for grains or seeds are given.
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
A breakfast cake with this claim may still contain sugars or sweeteners. For example, the ingredients list for Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ Grains, Seeds & Fruit lists xylitol.
Check the sugars entry in the nutrition table, the ingredients list and the size of the portion you plan to eat.
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Skipping the allergen information on a bar you know
The presence of grains and seeds doesn’t tell you what other ingredients or possible traces are listed on the packaging. This matters if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
Read the label of your chosen variety every time you buy it, even if you’ve bought it before.
Brands and shops to consider
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers both Tussendoor+ bars and sliced wholemeal breakfast cake with no added sugars.
- The ingredients list for the specific Tussendoor+ Grains, Seeds & Fruit bar includes grains and sunflower seeds.
- Check the nutritional information, sweeteners and allergens for each variety; the ingredients in a bar don’t necessarily apply to the sliced cake.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product information is a useful place to check the ingredients in Peijnenburg Tussendoor+ Grains, Seeds & Fruit.
- The listed ingredients let you check for oats and sunflower seeds in this bar.
- Check the packaging shortly before eating, too, as product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both sliced and unsliced breakfast cake, among other products.
- You can choose a format to suit the portion you want to take with you.
- Check the ingredients of a specific variety if you’re looking for grains and seeds.
PLUS
PLUS stocks wholemeal sliced breakfast cake, among other products.
- With a sliced variety, you can wrap a slice to take with you before you leave.
- The term ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t, on its own, tell you whether the variety contains seeds.
Koek & Bakker / ALDI
ALDI lists a 485 g pre-sliced Koek & Bakker Ontbijtkoek Zero.
- The pre-sliced format can be handy if you want to take a slice from home.
- Don’t assume the cake contains seeds from the words ‘Zero’ or ‘pre-sliced’; check the label.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 485 g breakfast cake zero as a store product.
- It’s another breakfast cake variety to consider when choosing a format.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information in store before comparing it with a seeded bar.
Breakfast cake on Joybuy
This breakfast cake is an option if you want to take something to the cinema. If you’re specifically looking for seeds, check that they’re listed on the packaging of your chosen variety.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g
A breakfast cake you can take a portion of with you before your visit to the cinema.
The product name states 250 g. Check the packaging to see what the sugar claim means, how the nutritional information is presented and which ingredients and allergens are listed.
Frequently asked questions
Does the presence of grains and seeds tell you enough about the nutritional value?
No. Alongside the ingredients, check the nutrition table for the specific breakfast cake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing products per 100 g first; then consider what the nutritional information means for your portion.
What should I check on a seeded bar if I need to avoid allergens?
Read both the ingredients and the warning that the product may contain other allergens on the current packaging. Check this information for the exact bar you want to take with you, not just the brand.
Can breakfast cake with no added sugars still contain sugars?
It can. For breakfast cake with no added sugar, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 0.8 g of sugars per 30 g slice; values can vary between products. So read the nutrition table and check the ingredients for any sweeteners.
Can I tell from the product type whether breakfast cake contains iodine?
No, the term ‘breakfast cake’ doesn’t tell you that. Check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer which salt is used if iodine is relevant to your choice.