When choosing a study snack, don’t just look for the word ‘wholemeal’. Compare the fibre and sugar content per 100 g, the ingredients and the pack size too. Product information from Peijnenburg, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS shows that wholemeal breakfast cakes differ in these respects; a variety with less sugar may also contain xylitol. A pre-sliced pack is handy for getting slices ready, but it tells you nothing about the nutritional value.
You want to have breakfast cake ready for a study session and are mainly comparing the fibre content per 100 g and the proportion of wholemeal flour. Product information from Peijnenburg and Jumbo shows why it’s worth checking these values for each variety.
You want to compare the sugar content of standard wholemeal breakfast cake with a variety that has no added sugar. With the latter, it’s also worth checking which sweeteners and polyols are used.
You’re looking for a pack that suits the number of slices you want to have ready. Pre-sliced products and packs in different sizes give you a range of options.
First decide which feature matters most to you. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the packaging of the product you buy.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and wholemeal flour | Compare the fibre content per 100 g and check which wholemeal flour is listed in the ingredients. | If fibre is my main concern, I want to know what a slice of breakfast cake actually contains. Around 46% of consumers say this is their top priority when choosing a study snack. |
| Sugars and sweeteners | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and, for varieties with no added sugar, check the sweeteners and polyols. | Anyone prioritising sugar content will want to avoid mistaking a lower figure for a product with no sweeteners. For around 27% of consumers, this choice of ingredients matters most. |
| Pack size and convenience | Check the pack weight, whether the cake is pre-sliced and how many servings the pack lists. | I want to be able to get slices ready for my study sessions in advance, without choosing an inconveniently large pack. For around 18% of consumers, convenience comes first. |
| Allergens and specific ingredients | Read the current allergen information and check ingredients such as rye and xylitol if they’re relevant to your household. | If an ingredient is a deciding factor for me or someone I live with, I need to know whether the product is suitable first. Around 9% of consumers put this check ahead of other criteria. |
According to product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, the standard wholemeal varieties reviewed contain 34 to 35,5 g of sugars per 100 g. Peijnenburg lists 4,9 g per 100 g for its variety with no added sugar. The name alone won’t tell you the difference.
Compare the fibre and sugar values per 100 g, and read the ingredients list.
The Peijnenburg variety with no added sugar that was reviewed contains xylitol. The product warning says that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
For this type of product, check the sweeteners and warnings on the packaging too. Keep products containing xylitol out of reach of dogs.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So don’t assume that every breakfast cake contains it.
If baker’s salt is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients on the specific pack.
The details below apply to the wholemeal products listed, not to a brand’s entire range.
The range includes a wholemeal variety with no added sugar.
AH sells a 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal breakfast cake.
The wholemeal breakfast cake reviewed comes in a 280 g pack.
PLUS sells a 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal breakfast cake.
ALDI describes a 485 g pack of pre-sliced wholemeal breakfast cake.
Lidl describes a 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal breakfast cake, available to buy in store.
This pre-sliced wholemeal breakfast cake is a good fit if you want to have a pack of slices ready for study sessions. If you’re choosing based on nutritional value, also compare the current information on the packaging.
Image unavailable
A handy option if you want to get slices of breakfast cake ready in advance for study sessions. Check the current label if allergens or specific ingredients will influence your choice.
No. For the varieties reviewed, product information from Peijnenburg, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists 5,7 to 17 g of fibre and 4,9 to 35,5 g of sugars per 100 g. So compare the nutritional information for the specific variety.
As well as the sugar content, check the sweeteners and polyols. According to the product information, the Peijnenburg variety reviewed contains xylitol; the packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
No: according to their product information, the varieties listed from Peijnenburg, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain rye and gluten-containing cereals. For any other product, always read the current allergen information on the packaging.
No, you can’t assume that every breakfast cake does. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt, so check the ingredients list on the product you buy.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging and seal an opened pack tightly. The product information reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Peijnenburg recommends storing it somewhere cool, dark and dry.
