Fibre-conscious coffee drinkers
You’d like a slice of breakfast cake with your afternoon coffee and want to take its fibre content into account. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, as well as the size of the slice you actually eat.
Who might this choice matter to?
Households keeping an eye on sugar
You’re comparing the sugar content of standard wholemeal breakfast cake with a variety labelled ‘no added sugars’. If you’re considering a variety with xylitol, check whether the warnings on the packaging are relevant to your household too.
Consumers checking ingredients and allergens
If rye, gluten or other listed grains matter to you, seeing ‘wholemeal’ on the front isn’t enough. Check the ingredients and allergen statement on the specific pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what matters most for your coffee break: fibre, sugar, a convenient portion or the ingredients. Then compare the nutritional information on the packs that meet your requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and grain base | Check the proportion of wholemeal rye flour in the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g and per slice. | If fibre is my top priority, I want to know what my usual slice contributes; this comparison comes first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Sugars and sweeteners | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and, for a variety sweetened differently, check the ingredients and warnings. | I mainly want to keep an eye on sugar with my coffee, without overlooking a sweetener. This is the most important consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Portion and packaging | Compare the pack weight, any portion information and the storage instructions for after opening. | A sliced pack needs to suit how often my household has a slice; around 21% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current allergen statement; if the product contains xylitol, also check the warnings about use and pets. | If an ingredient or warning determines my choice, I assess each pack individually. This matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wholemeal’ means ‘low in sugar’
According to product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, the standard wholemeal varieties reviewed list around 34 to 35.5 g of sugars per 100 g. The grain base alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains.
Check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table, then compare it with the portions you usually have.
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Choosing a variety with xylitol without reading the warning
The Peijnenburg variety reviewed contains xylitol. Its product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect and states that xylitol is not suitable for animals.
Read the warnings on the pack and keep this breakfast cake out of pets’ reach.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
The wholemeal varieties reviewed contain rye and gluten-containing grains; some products also list wheat or the possible presence of other grains.
Check the ingredients and allergen statement on the current packaging each time you buy.
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Assuming all breakfast cake contains iodine
You can’t tell from the product category whether baker’s salt has been used in a particular pack.
If you want to know the ingredients of a specific product, check the packaging or ask the manufacturer.
Brands compared
Peijnenburg
According to its product information, the 345 g sliced wholemeal variety labelled ‘no added sugars’ contains 40% wholemeal rye flour, chicory root fibre and xylitol.
- Albert Heijn lists 17 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
- The product information also lists 24 g of polyols per 100 g and warns against excessive consumption. It also cautions against having xylitol in a household with pets.
Albert Heijn
The AH variety reviewed is a 485 g sliced wholemeal breakfast cake containing 41% wholemeal rye flour.
- Albert Heijn lists 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- The same product information lists 34 g of sugars per 100 g; when choosing, also check the statements about rye and gluten.
Jumbo
The Jumbo varieties reviewed include a 280 g wholemeal breakfast cake and a 475 g sliced pack.
- For the sliced variety, Jumbo lists 40.5% wholemeal rye flour and 8.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Jumbo lists 35.2 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety; the allergen information names gluten, rye and wheat.
PLUS
The PLUS variety reviewed is a 485 g sliced wholemeal breakfast cake containing 41% wholemeal rye flour.
- PLUS lists 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
- The product information lists 34.1 g of sugars per 100 g and names rye and gluten-containing grains; wheat, barley and oats may also be present.
Wholemeal breakfast cake at Joybuy
This sliced wholemeal breakfast cake suits anyone looking for a standard slice to have with their afternoon coffee. Use the packaging to check the nutritional values per portion and the current ingredients.
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g'woon sliced wholemeal breakfast cake 485 g
A sliced pack for anyone who fancies a slice of wholemeal breakfast cake with their afternoon coffee.
Before buying, check the current ingredients and allergen statement on the packaging: the available product information about rye and allergens is contradictory. If you’re comparing the nutritional values per slice, check the portion information on the pack too.
Frequently asked questions
Does all wholemeal breakfast cake contain the same amount of fibre?
No, the fibre content varies by product. According to Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, the varieties reviewed list between 5.7 and 17 g per 100 g. Check the nutrition table for the specific pack you’re considering and pay attention to the portion size.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. According to Albert Heijn, the Peijnenburg variety reviewed with this label still contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g and also contains xylitol. Compare the full nutritional information and ingredients, not just the wording on the front.
What should I do with breakfast cake containing xylitol if I have pets?
Keep the Peijnenburg variety reviewed out of pets’ reach and don’t give them any leftovers. The product information states that xylitol is not suitable for animals and advises contacting a vet immediately if it is ingested.
Can I tell from the name breakfast cake whether it contains iodine?
No, the product name doesn’t tell you whether baker’s salt has been used in a particular pack. Check the packaging or ask the manufacturer about the ingredients of that product.
How should I store a pack of breakfast cake for my afternoon coffee?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose and seal it as directed after opening. For the Peijnenburg variety reviewed, the product information recommends storing it in a cool, dark place and, if you like, in a sealed tin or container.