Students keeping an eye on sugar
You want a ready-to-eat piece for a short study break and compare how much sugar it contains. If you choose a sweetened option, check that the ingredients and warnings suit you too.
Who is this choice for?
Students comparing fibre
You look beyond the front of the packaging and compare the amount of fibre in each piece. If you choose a wholemeal option, check the rest of the nutritional information as well.
Students who value convenience and portion sizes
You want to grab a piece while studying without having to slice it yourself. The weight of each piece and the packaging can help you decide whether the size suits your break.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide what matters most for your study break. Then compare the label on the exact product: pieces of different weights aren’t directly comparable.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars per piece | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and calculate the amount based on the weight of the piece you eat. For zero-sugar options, check the ingredients and warnings about sweeteners too. | If I want to keep an eye on sugar at every study break, I want to know what’s in my piece and which sweeteners it contains. Around 42% of consumers are said to consider less sugar their main reason for buying. |
| Fibre | Check the grams of fibre per 100 g and per portion; don’t rely on the word ‘wholemeal’ alone. | For this snack category, I mainly want to compare the fibre in specific products without losing sight of the sugar content. Fibre is said to be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Piece size and packaging | Check the weight of each piece, the number of pieces and the allergen information on the current packaging. | When I’m studying, I want to be able to grab a suitable portion quickly. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the label also needs to be clear. Convenience and portion control are said to be the main reason for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘sliced’ means a standard portion size
The products mentioned come in pieces weighing 25 g, 28 g or 30 g. Comparing the nutritional value ‘per piece’ alone could therefore be misleading.
First compare the figures per 100 g, then use the weight of the piece you actually eat.
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Taking ‘zero’ to mean you can snack without limits
The zero-sugar options mentioned contain sweeteners. The product pages from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Peijnenburg warn that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients and warnings on the exact product, especially if you’re sensitive to polyols.
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Focusing only on ‘wholemeal’ or fibre
A wholemeal claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar or fibre each piece contains. The Voedingscentrum points out that ontbijtkoek is often high in sugar and low in fibre.
Check both figures in the nutrition table for the product you’re considering.
Brands and own-label options to consider
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers, among other products, sliced plain ontbijtkoek and a sliced version with no added sugars.
- The no-added-sugar version listed by Jumbo contains 4,9 g of sugars and 17 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This version contains xylitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption; these details don’t apply to all Peijnenburg products.
AH
Albert Heijn’s own-label range includes sliced plain ontbijtkoek and a sliced Zero option.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Zero as containing 4,9 g of sugars and 16 g of fibre per 100 g.
- AH Zero contains xylitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own range includes sliced plain ontbijtkoek and a Zero option.
- For the Zero option mentioned, Jumbo lists 5,8 g of sugars and 17,4 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This version contains maltitols and carries a warning about excessive consumption. If you have an allergy, always check the packaging of the product you choose.
Koek & Bakker
ALDI lists a pre-sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek and a pre-sliced version labelled zero under this brand.
- Both product pages state that the ontbijtkoek is pre-sliced.
- If sugar, fibre or allergens are important to you, make your choice based on the current label.
Sliced ontbijtkoek on Joybuy
This sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek is a handy choice for a study break when you want to grab a piece quickly. If sugar, fibre or portion size will influence your choice, compare the nutritional information and the weight of each piece on the packaging.
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g'woon sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek, 485 g
The pre-sliced format is handy when you want to grab a piece while studying. The pack contains 485 g; check the label for the weight of each piece, sugars, fibre and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean ontbijtkoek contains no sugars?
No. Jumbo lists the Peijnenburg no-added-sugar option mentioned as containing 4,9 g of sugars per 100 g, and the Jumbo Zero option mentioned as containing 5,8 g per 100 g. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table.
Is sliced ontbijtkoek automatically suitable if you need to avoid gluten?
No. The products mentioned contain gluten-containing cereals, including rye. If you need to avoid gluten, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact product packaging.
How should you store opened ontbijtkoek until your next study break?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the cake carefully after opening. The product information mentioned recommends using a closed tin or a tightly sealed pack to keep it soft.