Anyone who wants to take something without preparing it
A pre-sliced pack makes it easy to set aside a few slices before you leave. Check how to store the pack once it’s open; Jumbo recommends keeping its sliced plain variant in a sealed tin.
Who is this relevant to?
Anyone who wants to compare labels
Ingredients and nutritional values vary between variants. Check the exact pack for sugars and fibre per 100 g, the ingredients list and allergen information, especially if you’re considering a wholemeal or zero% variant.
Anyone taking a pack for several shifts
The pack size and storage instructions can help you decide whether one pack will cover your breaks. Compare the sliced variants by pack weight, and follow the instructions on the packaging once opened.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether convenience is your priority, or whether you’re looking for a particular composition. Then consider how much you want to take with you and how you’ll store the rest of the pack.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Taking slices with you | Check whether the cake is pre-sliced and what the packaging says about storage once opened. | If I’m leaving just before my shift, I want to be able to take slices without cutting them first; this convenience is the top priority for around 38% of consumers. |
| Composition | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g; also check the ingredients, allergens and any information about sweeteners. | If I’m choosing a wholemeal or zero% variant, I want to know what’s in each slice rather than relying on the name alone. Around 37% of consumers prioritise this kind of label information. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the pack weight and follow the storage instructions for an opened pack. | For breaks across several shifts, I want to work out how long one pack will last; this kind of stock planning matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Confusing convenience with a complete meal
Pre-sliced breakfast cake is easy to take with you, but that doesn’t tell you anything about what else you eat during a night shift. Arboportaal advises people working night shifts to eat well and avoid snacking.
Decide in advance how many slices you want to take, and consider them as part of what you eat and drink during your shift.
-
Choosing based on ‘zero%’ alone
A zero% label doesn’t tell you what other ingredients a variant contains. Jumbo lists sweeteners in its zero% breakfast cake and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients, nutritional information and usage warnings on the specific pack too.
-
Relying on the product name for allergen or iodine information
The PLUS plain variant examined contains rye flour and may contain wheat, barley and oats. The name ‘breakfast cake’ also doesn’t confirm whether a particular product contains iodine.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current label for the exact variant. Also look for any mention of baker’s salt or iodine if that matters to your choice.
Brands to consider
Peijnenburg
The supermarket ranges examined include sliced plain and wholemeal variants from Peijnenburg.
- Several sliced variants are listed at retailers including Jumbo and Albert Heijn.
- Check the nutritional values and allergens for the exact variant on the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both a sliced plain variant and a sliced zero% variant.
- The two variants have different labels that you can compare side by side.
- For its zero% variant, Jumbo lists sweeteners and warns of a possible laxative effect if consumed excessively.
PLUS
PLUS lists a 485 g pack of sliced plain breakfast cake.
- The product information includes ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- When buying, check the current packaging for information about the pack you choose.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI lists sliced wholemeal and zero breakfast cake from Koek & Bakker, both in 485 g packs.
- Both listed variants are pre-sliced.
- Check the label on your chosen variant for nutritional values and allergen information.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal breakfast cake.
- The product description makes clear that it’s a sliced wholemeal variant.
- Lidl states that this variant is only available in store. Bear this in mind if you’re planning to pick up a pack before your shift.
Sliced breakfast cake on Joybuy
If you’re considering a sliced wholemeal variant for a break, you can compare this pack by its ingredients, nutritional values and pack size.
Image unavailable
g'woon wholemeal breakfast cake, sliced, 485 g
A pre-sliced option if you want to take a few slices with you and compare the composition per 100 g.
According to the product information, this variant contains 43% wholemeal rye flour, 5.9 g of fibre and 34 g of sugars per 100 g; glucose-fructose syrup is listed among the ingredients. Check the current label for allergen information and storage instructions too.
Frequently asked questions
Is breakfast cake automatically a suitable snack for a night shift?
No. The product name and pre-sliced format don’t make that clear. Arboportaal advises people working night shifts to eat well and avoid snacking, so think carefully about how many slices you take and what else you’ll eat during your shift.
What should I look for if I need to avoid rye or other grains?
Check the allergen and ingredients information on the exact pack before choosing it. PLUS’s sliced plain variant contains rye flour and may contain wheat, barley and oats; the g'woon wholemeal variant mentioned contains wholemeal rye flour.
Can I judge a zero% variant by the front of the pack alone?
No. Check the ingredients, nutritional information and any warnings too. Jumbo lists sweeteners in its zero% breakfast cake and warns of a possible laxative effect if consumed excessively.
Does all breakfast cake contain iodine?
Don’t assume so based on the product name. Check the ingredients and any iodine information on the current packaging for the exact breakfast cake.
How should I store sliced breakfast cake once opened?
Follow the instructions on the pack you buy. For its sliced plain variant, Jumbo recommends storing it in a sealed tin once opened; check the storage instructions for any other variant.