Consumers with a strict sugar limit
You want to know how much sugar a Dutch spiced breakfast cake actually contains. The difference between ‘sugar-free’, ‘no added sugars’ and ‘less sugar’ determines whether a product meets the criteria you’ve set.
Who is this distinction important for?
Those comparing wholegrain and fibre
You’re comparing a wholegrain version with other spiced breakfast cakes, looking not only at fibre but also at sugars, salt and the size of a slice.
Shoppers planning an Asian-themed evening
You may be looking for a separate sweet snack to serve alongside your planned menu. Individually wrapped bars or a sliced cake can be practical, as long as the ingredients and allergens are suitable for everyone eating them.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re choosing Dutch spiced breakfast cake as an extra snack for an Asian-themed evening, first decide which sugar criterion matters to you. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g, the ingredients and the portion format.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Especially relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| What ‘sugar-free’ means | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and distinguish ‘sugar-free’ from ‘no added sugars’ and ‘less sugar’. | If you have a strict limit for sugars, don’t rely on the word ‘zero’. For around 33% of consumers, this sugar criterion comes first. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g; also check the ingredients and portion size. | If you’re looking for wholegrain spiced breakfast cake, you’ll want to judge what one slice adds to your chosen snack. Wholegrain and fibre matter most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Sweeteners and allergens | Check the sweeteners, any warnings about polyols and the allergen information on the current packaging. | If you need to take ingredients or possible traces into account, you’ll want to know what the packaging says before buying. For around 25% of consumers, this is their first concern. |
| Portion and serving style | Choose between individually wrapped bars and sliced portions; check the weight of a serving. | If you’re having a separate snack during the evening, you’ll want something easy to take along or share out. For around 17% of consumers, portion convenience is the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming zero, less sugar and no added sugars all mean the same thing
These claims answer different questions. For the listed variants with no added sugars, Albert Heijn and Peijnenburg each state that they contain 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the Diabetes Fonds limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for ‘sugar-free’.
Decide which claim you’re looking for, and always check the total amount of sugars per 100 g as well.
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Overlooking the sweetener
Several of the variants listed use xylitol or contain polyols. Albert Heijn and Snelle Jelle warn on their product pages that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; Voedingscentrum explains that a high intake of polyols can cause symptoms.
Check which sweeteners and usage warnings are shown on the packaging, and take the portion size into account when choosing.
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Only checking the front of the pack if you have allergies
The listed zero and no-added-sugar variants contain rye and therefore gluten. Some products also mention possible traces of milk or nuts.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the exact variant you’re buying.
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Treating Dutch spiced breakfast cake as part of the Asian menu
The product information describes Dutch spiced breakfast cake and spiced cake as products, not as part of a specific Asian cuisine.
If you like, add it to your shopping list as a separate, personal snack, and choose packaging that suits how you plan to serve it.
Brands to compare
Compare specific variants: a brand name or ‘zero’ on the front doesn’t tell you by itself how much sugar a product contains.
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers plain and wholegrain variants with no added sugars.
- For its wholegrain variant, Peijnenburg states 17 g of fibre and 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g; the brand describes it as 100% wholegrain.
- ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t mean sugar-free here. Also check for xylitol and rye, and read the allergen information for the pack you choose.
Albert Heijn
AH Ontbijtkoek zero gesneden is a sliced supermarket option for anyone wanting to compare its ingredients with those of a regular spiced breakfast cake.
- According to Albert Heijn, this variant contains 86% less sugar than AH Ontbijtkoek naturel gesneden met zoetstof.
- Albert Heijn also states that it contains 4.9 g of sugars and 22 g of polyols per 100 g, and includes a warning about excessive consumption. The percentage comparison doesn’t make the product sugar-free.
Snelle Jelle
Snelle Jelle Zero kruidkoek is a spiced cake bar for anyone looking for individual portions.
- The pack described by Albert Heijn contains four individually wrapped bars of 42 g.
- The product information states that it contains 4.9 g of sugars and 23 g of polyols per 100 g. Check for rye, gluten, possible traces and the warning about excessive consumption.
Jumbo
Jumbo Ontbijtkoek Minder Suiker is intended for comparison with the brand’s regular plain spiced cake bar.
- According to Jumbo, the bar contains 30% less sugar than its own plain bar.
- Jumbo states that it contains 22.7 g of sugars per 100 g and lists glucose-fructose syrup and sugar among the ingredients. This variant does not have no added sugars.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dutch spiced breakfast cake with ‘zero’ on the pack sugar-free?
Not necessarily: check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The Diabetes Fonds sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for sugar-free, while the listed AH and Peijnenburg variants with no added sugars state that they contain 4.9 g per 100 g.
Why do some variants carry a warning about a laxative effect?
The listed variants from Albert Heijn and Snelle Jelle contain polyols and carry a warning about excessive consumption. Voedingscentrum explains that a high intake of polyols can cause symptoms, so check the warning and portion information on the pack.
Is Dutch spiced breakfast cake with no added sugars gluten-free?
Not the Peijnenburg, Albert Heijn and Snelle Jelle variants listed here: they contain rye and gluten. If you have an allergy or other dietary requirement, always check the allergen information on the exact pack, including for possible traces of milk or nuts.
Does all Dutch spiced breakfast cake contain iodine from baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the product category. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes rules on iodine compounds in baker’s salt used in bakery products, but that doesn’t establish which salt is in a specific spiced breakfast cake. Check the packaging or ask the manufacturer.
Does Dutch spiced breakfast cake work for an Asian-themed evening?
It can be a separate snack for your evening without being presented as an authentic Asian dish. Choose sliced portions to share or individually wrapped bars for individual servings, and check the ingredients for everyone who’ll be eating.