Choose a pancake mix that is clearly labelled ‘wholemeal’, then compare the fibre per 100 g of prepared product, the additions required and the allergens. If mixing and cooking your own pancakes feels like too much effort, ready-made wholemeal pancakes may be more convenient; check their nutritional information and ingredients separately, as they are a different product.
You want to make your own pancakes, so you compare the wholemeal labelling and fibre per 100 g of prepared product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also highlights the importance of fibre as part of an overall diet in its information for people aged 70 and over.
You’re looking for an alternative to mixing batter and cooking pancakes. As well as a dry wholemeal mix, Koopmans makes ready-made wholemeal pancakes that just need reheating; this version has different ingredients and nutritional values.
You need to be able to check whether wheat, oats, milk, egg or a ‘may contain’ warning is suitable for your diet. Always read the latest packaging and the preparation instructions.
If you’re looking for a mix, start by checking that it is labelled wholemeal, then look at the nutritional information for the prepared product. For households approaching or enjoying retirement, any of the following questions could be the deciding factor.
| What to consider | What to check before you buy | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging. Compare fibre per 100 g of prepared product and check the stated preparation method. | If you make your own pancakes and keep an eye on fibre, check the information given for the prepared product. For around 50% of these consumers, wholemeal ingredients and fibre come first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check what you need to add to a dry mix and how much cooking is involved. For ready-made pancakes, check how to heat them. | If mixing and cooking are less appealing, you may prefer something you can simply heat up. For around 30% of consumers, minimising preparation is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients list, allergen information, any ‘may contain’ warning and the preparation instructions. | If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check both the mix and the additions before you buy. For around 20% of consumers, these checks come first. |
A name such as ‘multigrain’ or the colour of the packaging doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether the mix is labelled wholemeal.
Look for the wholemeal labelling on the latest packaging and check which types of grain flour are listed in the ingredients.
The fibre listed may be for the prepared product. Recipes can also vary in the milk, eggs and cooking fat they require, so check what you’ll need to make the pancakes.
Compare nutritional values on the same basis and check which additions the preparation instructions call for before you buy.
With a dry mix, you may also need to buy the ingredients for the batter and cooking.
PLUS describes its dry wholemeal mix as vegan, but its standard preparation method calls for milk and eggs. The resulting pancakes therefore don’t have the same ingredient profile as the mix on its own.
Check both the ingredients in the mix and the preparation method you actually plan to use.
The mixes discussed contain wheat or oats, among other ingredients; product information for some versions also warns that they may contain other ingredients, such as milk or egg.
Check the latest allergen information every time you buy, even if you’ve used the product before.
Compare the specific product rather than just the brand: a dry wholemeal mix, a ready-made wholemeal pancake and a standard pancake mix are different products.
Koopmans offers both a dry wholemeal mix and a separate ready-made wholemeal pancake.
AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix is a dry own-brand mix made with wholemeal wheat flour.
Jumbo lists wheat, oat and buckwheat flour in its dry wholemeal mix.
PLUS makes a dry wholemeal pancake mix which, according to the product information, contains 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour.
ALDI stocks pancake mixes under its Albona brand.
Lidl stocks Belbake Original Pancake Mix.
You can’t tell from the wholemeal labelling alone. Compare the fibre in the nutritional information and check whether the value applies to the dry mix or to pancakes made according to the stated preparation method.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses fibre and drinking enough fluids together in its information for people aged 70 and over. So consider pancake mix as part of everything else you eat and drink, rather than as a standalone solution to a dietary need.
No. Check both the mix and the preparation method. PLUS describes its dry wholemeal mix as vegan, but its standard preparation method uses milk and eggs; Albert Heijn also gives a plant-based preparation option for its mix.
Check the allergen information on the packaging you choose, as well as the ingredients you add yourself. The dry mixes discussed contain wheat or oats, among other ingredients; some versions may also contain egg, milk or other grains. Koopmans’ ready-made wholemeal pancake contains milk and egg.
