Who might be interested in each variety?

If you’re keeping an eye on sugars

Compare the amount of sugars per 100 g and per slice. For zero varieties, check which sweeteners are used and what the label warns about.

If you want a plain slice

Look for a standard, pre-sliced breakfast cake, then compare the portion size and nutritional information on the different packs.

If you’re looking for wholemeal rye or fibre

Check the ingredients and fibre content, but assess sugars and allergens separately: wholemeal alone doesn’t tell you enough about either.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide which product feature matters most to you. Then use the label to compare varieties on an equal basis.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugars and sweeteners Compare sugars per 100 g and, for zero varieties, check which sweeteners are used and what warnings appear on the packaging. If I want to choose something with fewer sugars in the evening, I also need to know whether I’m happy with the sweeteners used. This is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers.
Wholemeal and fibre Check the wholemeal ingredients and compare fibre and sugars per 100 g separately. I’m specifically looking for wholemeal rye or keeping an eye on fibre, without assuming that this means the cake contains fewer sugars. This is the main priority for around 29% of consumers.
Plain variety Check the weight per slice and the sugars per 100 g on the pack you choose. For a standard slice of breakfast cake, I mainly want a plain variety that suits my taste and preferred portion size. This is the deciding factor for around 21% of consumers.
Portion and allergens Check the number of grams per slice and the allergen statement on the specific pack. I want to know in advance how much one slice weighs and whether the ingredients are suitable for me. This check matters most to around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘zero’ means ‘no sweeteners’

    Albert Heijn lists xylitol for AH Zero, while Jumbo lists maltitols for Jumbo Zero. Both product pages warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check the ingredients and warnings for the variety you’re considering, even if fewer sugars are your main priority.

  • Assuming wholemeal means fewer sugars

    For G'woon Wholemeal, wholemeal rye and sugars are separate product features: the product information lists 43% wholemeal rye flour and 34 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g, then check the weight of a slice of the product you’ve chosen.

  • Skipping the allergen statement

    The product information for AH plain, Jumbo plain and PLUS plain, among others, lists rye and cereals containing gluten. A pre-sliced product isn’t necessarily suitable if you have an allergy or follow a gluten-free diet.

    Check the allergen statement on the specific pack, even if you’ve bought the product before.

  • Assuming the salt contains iodine based on the product type

    The word breakfast cake doesn’t tell you which salt is used in a specific variety.

    If you want to know whether your chosen product lists baker’s salt containing iodine, check the ingredients on the pack.

Brands to compare

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg has a plain variety with 12 pre-sliced pieces in a 345 g pack.

  • Peijnenburg lists 28 g per slice, making it easier to compare portions.
  • This variety contains 38 g of sugars per 100 g and includes rye.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers plain sliced and Zero sliced breakfast cake, both in 485 g packs.

  • The product information lists 36 g of sugars per 100 g for the plain variety and 4.9 g per 100 g for Zero.
  • AH Zero contains xylitol; the product page warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers sliced plain and Zero breakfast cake in 475 g packs.

  • Jumbo lists 25 g portions for the plain variety; the Zero variety contains 5.8 g of sugars and 17.4 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Jumbo Zero contains maltitols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Koek & Bakker

This ALDI own brand offers a sliced wholemeal variety and a sliced Zero variety, each in a 485 g pack.

  • The wholemeal variety is pre-sliced, and the Zero variety is also sold pre-sliced.
  • Compare sugars, fibre and allergens using the label on the variety you choose.

PLUS

PLUS offers plain sliced breakfast cake in a 485 g pack.

  • PLUS lists 36 g of sugars and 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The listed ingredients and allergens include rye and cereals containing gluten.

Lidl

Lidl has product pages for plain sliced, wholemeal sliced and Zero breakfast cake.

  • The Zero variety is listed in a 485 g pack.
  • To compare sugars, fibre and allergens, check the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you choose.

Sliced breakfast cake at Joybuy

This selection features pre-sliced wholemeal breakfast cake for anyone specifically looking to compare wholemeal rye. Also check sugars, portion size and allergens on the packaging.

G'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g

G'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g

For anyone looking for pre-sliced breakfast cake made with wholemeal rye. The product information lists 43% wholemeal rye flour, 5.9 g of fibre and 34 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the weight per slice and allergen statement on the packaging, particularly as rye is listed in the ingredients.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is zero breakfast cake automatically a suitable evening snack?

No. Don’t choose a zero variety based on its name alone. AH Zero and Jumbo Zero list fewer sugars per 100 g than the plain varieties discussed here, but contain xylitol and maltitols respectively. Both product pages warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. So be sure to check the ingredients and warnings too.

How much does a slice of sliced breakfast cake weigh?

It varies by product. Jumbo lists a 25 g portion for its plain variety, Peijnenburg lists 28 g per slice, and Albert Heijn lists a 30 g portion for its plain variety. Check the portion weight on the pack you buy rather than relying on the term ‘medium sliced’.

Does sliced breakfast cake contain gluten?

The plain varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS discussed here list rye and cereals containing gluten. If rye or gluten is something you need to avoid, don’t rely on the product type alone: check the allergen statement for the specific variety.

How should you store an opened pack of breakfast cake?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging. Albert Heijn recommends storing its plain variety in a cool, dark and dry place; Jumbo advises keeping its plain variety in a sealed tin in a cool, dry place once opened.

How can you tell if breakfast cake contains baker’s salt with iodine?

Check the ingredients list for the specific product to see whether it mentions salt containing iodine. The name breakfast cake alone won’t tell you which salt was used for that variety.