Parents looking to vary breakfast beyond bread
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends porridge oats, muesli and other wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as alternatives for children aged 1 to 3.
Who might find these choices useful?
Carers who need to check allergens
If you’re sending breakfast cereal to nursery or school, or need to take a food intolerance into account, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. A claim on the front of the pack is no substitute for checking the details.
Families looking for a softer breakfast texture
Warm porridge can be an alternative to crunchy cereal. Consider what texture your child can eat safely; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns against whole nuts for young children, among other things.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ingredients, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g. Finally, check that the allergens and texture are suitable for your child.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Check whether wholegrain cereal is the main ingredient and whether sugar or salt has been added. | I want to alternate bread with breakfast cereals that follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s guidance for children aged 1 to 3. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this when choosing. |
| Fibre | Always compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g, rather than relying on a claim on the front of the pack. | When comparing products for fibre, I want to know what else they contain. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Allergens and texture | Check the allergens on the packaging and consider whether the pieces are safe to eat. | If your child has a food intolerance or finds crunchy pieces difficult to eat, the product needs to be suitable in practice too. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing based on a ‘high in fibre’ claim alone
A fibre claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar or salt a product contains as well. Albert Heijn lists 8.4 g of fibre and 20 g of sugars per 100 g for Kellogg's Oaties Original Crunch.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients list before choosing a breakfast cereal.
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Assuming grain porridge can replace bread every day
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholegrain breakfast cereals for children aged 1 to 3 as an alternative to bread at breakfast, not a replacement for bread throughout the day.
If you serve breakfast cereal instead of bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends offering two slices of bread at another time of day.
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Assuming crunchy nut muesli is suitable
A fibre claim doesn’t remove the choking risk posed by whole nuts. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns against whole nuts and peanuts, among other foods, for young children.
Choose a texture your child can eat safely, and don’t give whole-nut muesli to a young toddler or toddler.
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Relying on an old label or making assumptions about nursery
For breakfast cereals containing gluten or other allergens, check the packaging of the product you’re using and the arrangements at your child’s nursery or school.
Read the current label and ask the nursery or school directly about its allergy policy before sending in breakfast cereal.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Quaker offers both plain porridge oats and crunchy Cruesli varieties; they call for different checks when choosing breakfast for a toddler.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Quaker Havermout 375 g contains 100% wholegrain oats as its ingredient. Joybuy lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
- The oats contain gluten and may contain wheat and barley. For a Cruesli variety, check the ingredients, salt and texture separately.
Brinta
Brinta Wholegrain cereal breakfast is an option if you want to make warm wheat porridge.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists wholemeal wheat flour and 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Salt is listed among the ingredients. This means the variety doesn’t follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s guidance to choose a product with no added salt for this breakfast alternative. It also contains wheat and gluten.
Albert Heijn
AH Wholegrain cereal breakfast shows why a high fibre content shouldn’t be the only selection criterion.
- Albert Heijn lists 99% wholemeal wheat flour, 14 g of fibre and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for this variety.
- The label also lists 0.48 g of added salt per 100 g, and wheat as an ingredient containing gluten.
Kellogg's
The ingredients in each Kellogg's variety matter more than any general impression of the brand.
- For Oaties Original Crunch, Albert Heijn lists 8.4 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The same product information lists 20 g of sugars per 100 g. So compare the sugars and ingredients too before considering this variety for a toddler’s breakfast.
Breakfast cereals on Joybuy
These products are porridge oats or grain cereals for anyone looking to offer an alternative to bread at a toddler’s breakfast. Brinta contains added salt; for all three products, check the current packaging and choose a preparation method and texture your child can eat safely.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For anyone looking to prepare porridge oats as a warm alternative to bread. The pack contains 324 g.
The oats contain gluten; according to the product information, the product may also contain wheat and barley. Check the nutritional information per 100 g on the current packaging and adjust the portion and texture to suit your child.
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Brinta Wholegrain cereal breakfast 500 g
For anyone looking to make warm wholemeal wheat porridge.
Albert Heijn’s product information lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g and salt among the ingredients. This means the variety doesn’t follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s guidance for breakfast cereals with no added salt. The product contains wheat and gluten.
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Quaker Oatmeal 375 g
For anyone looking for plain wholegrain porridge oats as an alternative at breakfast.
Joybuy lists 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredient and 9 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety. The oats contain gluten and may contain wheat and barley. If you’re strictly following the guidance to choose products with no added salt, check the salt content on the current packaging too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace bread at my toddler’s breakfast with porridge oats?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you can occasionally alternate bread at breakfast with porridge oats or other wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt. If you serve cereal instead of bread, offer two slices of bread at another time of day.
How do I compare breakfast cereals with different fibre claims?
Compare the fibre per 100 g so you’re using the same amount of product as your basis. Also read the ingredients and check the sugar and salt content; a fibre claim alone doesn’t tell you whether the ingredients are suitable for a toddler’s breakfast.
Is Quaker Oatmeal 375 g gluten-free?
No. The product information for Quaker Oatmeal 375 g lists oats containing gluten and the possible presence of wheat and barley. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, people with coeliac disease cannot tolerate gluten; always check the current packaging if your child has a food intolerance.
Can I give a toddler crunchy muesli with whole nuts?
Don’t give whole-nut muesli to a young toddler or toddler. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that young children can choke on foods including whole nuts and peanuts; also check that other breakfast cereals have a safe-to-eat texture.