Stocking up and looking to avoid added sugars
You’re looking for spiced breakfast cake to keep in your regular snack stash and want to know what the label says about added sugars, total sugars and sweeteners.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who want to take individual portions with them
You want to be able to take or hand out bars or slices individually, without having to open a large pack each time.
People who check ingredients carefully
You look out for rye and other listed allergens, or check which sweeteners have been used and what warnings appear on the packaging.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide whether no added sugars is a must-have. Then compare the portion format and check the latest ingredients and allergen information before choosing spiced breakfast cake for your stash.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar profile | Compare ‘of which sugars’ and ‘added sugars’ per 100 g; if the product says ‘less sugar’, check what it is being compared with. | I want my snack stash to have no added sugars and don’t want to mistake ‘zero’ for the absence of all sugars. This distinction is a priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Portion format | Check whether the cake is pre-sliced or individually wrapped, and how many slices or bars the pack contains. | For taking with me or handing out, I want to be able to grab a portion without cutting into a shared cake. Portion format is the deciding factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and check the sweetener and any usage warning. | If I want to avoid rye or keep an eye on polyols, the packaging needs to meet my requirements. Ingredients and tolerance take priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘zero’ means ‘contains no sugars at all’
PLUS states that its Ontbijtkoek Zero contains 0 g of added sugars, but also 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. So the front of the pack doesn’t tell you the whole story.
Check both ‘of which sugars’ and ‘added sugars’ on the label, and compare quantities on the same basis.
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Assuming ‘less sugar’ means no added sugars
PLUS describes its Ontbijtkoekrepen Minder Suiker as bars with 30% less sugar than regular spiced breakfast cake bars; the label also states 11.82 g of added sugars per 100 g.
If you need to avoid added sugars, check the information for the specific product rather than relying on a relative claim.
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Only checking for rye and polyols after buying
The PLUS and Snelle Jelle zero products described contain rye. Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek Zero also carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Before adding a product to your stash, check the latest ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the packaging.
Brands to consider
The differences below apply to the products or product ranges mentioned, not to every spiced breakfast cake from each brand.
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers spiced breakfast cake varieties with no added sugars, including a pre-sliced plain version.
- For its plain version, Peijnenburg lists ingredients including rye flour, chicory root fibre and xylitol.
- Check the specific variety you choose: the ‘no added sugars’ claim does not automatically apply to the entire range.
PLUS
PLUS offers both pre-sliced Ontbijtkoek Zero and Ontbijtkoekrepen Minder Suiker; the names indicate different sugar profiles.
- According to PLUS product information, the 485 g pre-sliced Zero variety contains 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
- According to PLUS, the Minder Suiker bars contain 11.82 g of added sugars per 100 g. So check the label of the variety you’re buying.
Snelle Jelle
Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek Zero is described as a 4-pack for anyone who wants individually portioned snacks.
- The 4-pack offers a different portion format from a large pre-sliced cake.
- The product information lists xylitol and 23 g of polyols per 100 g, with a warning about excessive consumption. Check the latest allergen information too.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has a product page for AH Ontbijtkoek zero gesneden.
- The pre-sliced format is a familiar choice if you’re looking for a cake to share as part of a snack stash.
- Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as ingredients, nutritional information and allergy information may change.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘zero’ mean spiced breakfast cake contains no sugars at all?
No, you can’t tell that from the name. For Ontbijtkoek Zero, PLUS lists both 0 g of added sugars and 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. Check both figures on the label of the cake you choose.
Does ‘less sugar’ mean the same as ‘no added sugars’?
No. PLUS describes its Ontbijtkoekrepen Minder Suiker as bars with 30% less sugar than regular spiced breakfast cake bars, but lists 11.82 g of added sugars per 100 g. A relative comparison doesn’t replace the product’s nutritional information.
Can I assume that zero spiced breakfast cake is gluten-free?
No. According to the product information, both PLUS Ontbijtkoek Zero and Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek Zero contain rye. If you avoid gluten, always check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the specific product.
Why is there a warning on Snelle Jelle Kruidkoek Zero?
The product information lists xylitol and 23 g of polyols per 100 g, and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Read the warning alongside the portion size before adding the cake to your snack stash.