Who is this relevant for?

Buffet hosts who are mindful of fibre

You want to serve wholemeal breakfast cake and compare the fibre and sugar content per slice. The figures listed vary between the varieties we looked at, so pack weight alone won’t help you decide.

Hosts catering for a range of dietary needs

You want to check before serving whether rye, gluten, other listed grains or xylitol could be a concern for your guests. The label on the variety you choose is the deciding factor.

People buying for larger groups

You want to have enough slices ready, so you’re looking at the pack weight, the number of slices listed and whether the breakfast cake is pre-sliced.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the nutritional value per slice, the number of slices ready to serve or the ingredients that matter to your guests will guide your choice. Then compare the relevant details on the pack of the variety you want to buy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Fibre and sugar Compare both figures per 100 g and check how much a slice weighs. If fibre is my priority, I also want to know how much sugar a slice contains. Around 40% of consumers give this combination top priority.
Portions and ease of serving Check the number of slices or portions and whether the pack contains pre-sliced breakfast cake. For a table with lots of guests, I want to put out enough slices and make it easy to replenish the buffet. This is the biggest consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information. For the variety containing xylitol, check the product warning too. When guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what the breakfast cake contains before serving it. This check comes first for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming wholemeal means low in sugar

    The wholemeal varieties we looked at differ considerably. Peijnenburg lists 39 g of sugar per 100 g for its regular sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and 4.9 g per 100 g for the variety with no added sugar.

    As well as looking for the word ‘wholemeal’, check the fibre and sugar figures. Only compare slices once you know how much they weigh.

  • Serving rye breakfast cake as a gluten-free option

    The product information we checked from Peijnenburg, Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS lists rye and gluten. Some varieties also list wheat or other cereals that may contain gluten.

    Check the pack for every guest who needs to avoid certain ingredients, and keep a separate product labelled gluten-free away from the breakfast cake and any crumbs.

  • Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    According to Peijnenburg, its Wholemeal variety with no added sugar still contains 4.9 g of sugar per 100 g. The variety contains xylitol; the product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect and that it is dangerous for animals.

    Let guests know which variety contains xylitol and keep it out of reach of pets.

  • Relying on an online product description instead of the pack

    Ingredients and nutritional information can change. This is particularly important when you’re putting together a buffet for guests with specific dietary needs.

    Just before serving, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack you’re actually using.

Brands to consider

Peijnenburg

Offers both a regular sliced wholemeal breakfast cake and a sliced wholemeal variety with no added sugar. Compare the two separately.

  • Peijnenburg lists 17 g of fibre and 4.9 g of sugar per 100 g for the variety with no added sugar. Its regular wholemeal variety contains 5.1 g of fibre and 39 g of sugar per 100 g.
  • The variety with no added sugar contains xylitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Jumbo

The sliced wholemeal breakfast cake from Jumbo that we looked at comes in a 475 g pack.

  • Jumbo lists 8.2 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • The same nutritional information lists 35.2 g of sugar per 100 g. The allergens include rye, gluten and wheat.

Albert Heijn

The AH wholemeal breakfast cake we looked at is pre-sliced and comes in a 485 g pack.

  • The product information lists 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The variety lists 34 g of sugar per 100 g and, according to the product information, contains rye and gluten. Other cereals containing gluten may also be present.

PLUS

The PLUS wholemeal breakfast cake we looked at is pre-sliced and comes in a 485 g pack.

  • PLUS lists 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • The product information lists 34.1 g of sugar per 100 g, as well as rye and gluten. Wheat, barley and oats may also be present.

Koek & Bakker (ALDI)

Koek & Bakker’s sliced wholemeal breakfast cake comes in a 485 g pack.

  • The pre-sliced portions are ready to put straight on the buffet.
  • Before comparing this variety for fibre, sugar or suitability for specific diets, read the nutritional information and allergens on the pack.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal breakfast cake.

  • The pack size and pre-sliced format are useful when you’re planning portions for a buffet.
  • Use the nutritional information and allergen details on the pack to decide whether this variety is suitable for your guests.

Breakfast cake on Joybuy

This sliced wholemeal breakfast cake is a good fit for a buffet when you want slices ready to serve. Before choosing it for guests with specific dietary needs, compare the nutritional information and allergens on the pack.

g'woon sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, 485 g

g'woon sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, 485 g

The 485 g sliced pack suits a buffet where you want to serve slices straight away.

Check the current pack to see what quantity the nutritional values refer to. For guests with allergies, read the ingredients and allergen label too, paying particular attention to rye.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is wholemeal breakfast cake also low in sugar?

Not necessarily: the figures vary between varieties. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 11.1 g of sugar and 1.3 g of fibre for a 30 g slice of wholemeal breakfast cake; the nutritional information for a specific brand may differ. So compare the figures per 100 g as well as the weight of the slice you’re serving.

Can the breakfast cake we looked at be served at a gluten-free buffet?

Don’t use the varieties containing rye and gluten as a gluten-free alternative. The product information from Peijnenburg, Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS lists rye and gluten. Check the current label on every pack you choose, and serve a separate product labelled gluten-free to guests who need to avoid gluten.

What does ‘no added sugar’ mean for Peijnenburg?

It doesn’t mean that this variety contains no sugar: Peijnenburg lists 4.9 g of sugar per 100 g. The variety also contains xylitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Keep it out of reach of pets too.

Does all breakfast cake contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume that all breakfast cake does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the addition of iodine through baker’s salt in bakery products, but that doesn’t confirm the ingredients of any particular breakfast cake. Check the ingredients information for the product you choose.

How should I store sliced breakfast cake before the buffet?

Follow the storage advice on the pack you choose. Jumbo recommends protecting its sliced wholemeal breakfast cake from moisture and heat and storing it below 25 °C. Albert Heijn recommends storing its variety in a cool, dark and dry place. Once opened, keep the cake tightly sealed.