Who is sliced breakfast cake for?

Student on a tight budget

Wants a pre-sliced pack that suits how much they’ll use, so there are as few slices left over as possible.

Student who compares labels

Checks sugars and fibre per 100 g, the ingredients and the size of each slice, rather than relying on the front of the pack.

Student looking for a quick addition

Wants to use a slice without having to cut it, but also looks for other parts of the meal to serve at dinner.

What should you look for in sliced breakfast cake?

First, work out how many slices you’ll actually use. Then compare the nutritional information and think about the role the breakfast cake will play at dinner.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Pack size Check the pack weight, number of slices and storage instructions. If I’m using a pack over several meals, I don’t want to be left with slices I haven’t used. Around 42% of consumers prioritise how they’ll use the pack.
Sugars and fibre Compare both values per 100 g, and read the ingredients and any warnings. When choosing between a plain variety and one with a different recipe, I want to know what the label actually says. For around 33% of consumers, this comparison is the main consideration.
Using it at dinner Check the portion size and any allergens; decide what other parts of the meal you’ll have. A pre-sliced portion is handy as a quick addition, but I don’t want to mistake it for a complete dinner. Convenience and its role in the meal matter most to around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Choosing a bigger pack without thinking about how you’ll use it

    The sliced packs reviewed vary in weight; Peijnenburg, for example, lists its plain variety as 550 g with 18 slices. A bigger pack may not be the best choice if you won’t use every slice.

    As well as the weight, check the number of slices and the storage instructions on the pack.

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means sugar-free

    Jumbo lists 5.8 g of sugars per 100 g and maltitol for the variety labelled this way. The pack warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure, as well as the ingredients and warnings; also check how much one slice weighs.

  • Treating a slice of breakfast cake as a complete dinner

    A pre-sliced portion can be a quick addition, but on its own it doesn’t replace an evening meal with other components.

    Decide in advance how you’ll use the breakfast cake and what other foods you’ll have with dinner.

  • Guessing allergens from the product name

    The standard varieties reviewed list rye and cereals containing gluten; ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements can vary between products.

    If you have an allergy or coeliac disease, check the label on the pack you’re using.

Brands to compare

These brands offer different sliced varieties. Compare the details on the specific pack, not just the brand name.

Peijnenburg

The plain sliced pack is aimed at anyone looking for a larger pack with a stated number of slices.

  • According to Peijnenburg, the 550 g pack contains 18 pre-sliced portions.
  • Before buying, compare the nutritional values too: this plain variety lists 38 g of sugars and 3.1 g of fibre per 100 g.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both a sliced plain variety and a sliced variety labelled ‘no added sugars’.

  • For the variety reviewed with this label, Jumbo lists 5.8 g of sugars and 17.4 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • This variety contains maltitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Albert Heijn

Its own-brand plain sliced breakfast cake is available in a 485 g pack.

  • Albert Heijn lists 36 g of sugars and 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • The product information reviewed lists rye and cereals containing gluten; if you have an allergy, check the label on the pack.

PLUS

PLUS has its own plain sliced breakfast cake, in a 485 g pack.

  • PLUS lists 36 g of sugars and 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • The nutritional information also lists 0.52 g of salt per 100 g; always compare values for the same amount.

ALDI / Koek & Bakker

ALDI lists a 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal breakfast cake from Koek & Bakker.

  • The wholemeal variety comes pre-sliced.
  • When choosing between the wholemeal and Zero varieties, check the nutritional information and ingredients on the relevant pack.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal breakfast cake as an in-store product.

  • If you’re looking for a pre-sliced wholemeal variety, you can compare this pack with others in store.
  • Read the nutritional information on the pack to assess its ingredients.

Products at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can sliced breakfast cake on its own make a student dinner?

No. It’s better to use a slice as an addition or an ingredient, rather than as the only part of the meal. The standard plain varieties reviewed list around 2.8 to 3.7 g of protein per 100 g; choose other suitable foods to have with dinner too.

Is breakfast cake labelled ‘no added sugars’ sugar-free?

No. For its sliced variety with this label, Jumbo lists naturally occurring sugars and 5.8 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the nutritional information and ingredients for the variety you choose.

What should I look for regarding gluten in breakfast cake?

If you have an allergy or coeliac disease, always check the label on the specific pack. The standard sliced varieties reviewed list rye and cereals containing gluten; ‘may contain’ statements vary between products.

How should I store an opened pack of sliced breakfast cake?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal it well after use. For its sliced plain variety, Jumbo recommends storing it in a sealed container after opening; Peijnenburg recommends keeping its plain variety in a cool, dark place, preferably in a sealed container or tin.