For a toddler, start by looking for wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt, such as those the Voedingscentrum recommends as an alternative to bread. If you choose a chocolate version, also check the total sugars, ingredients and allergens: ‘no added sugars’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can only be used for products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g; the chocolate options discussed here are above that limit.
For you, 0 g of added sugar isn’t enough: you want to know how much sugar the product contains in total. To check, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with the EU threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
For children aged 1 to 3, the Voedingscentrum lists wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as a possible alternative to bread. Check for these qualities before choosing a chocolate flavour.
Check the latest allergen information and ask about the setting’s policy. The options discussed here contain cereals with gluten; depending on the product, milk, nuts or possible traces may also be relevant.
Start by deciding whether you mean strictly sugar-free or simply no added sugar. Then check whether the wholegrain base, salt content and allergens are suitable for your toddler.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free or no added sugar | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim is limited to products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g. | If I’m looking for a product that is genuinely sugar-free, I don’t want to rely on a claim about added sugar. For an estimated 42% of consumers, this strict sugar limit is the main concern. |
| A good base for a toddler’s breakfast | Check whether wholegrain cereals form the base and look at the added sugar and salt. The Voedingscentrum lists wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as an alternative to bread for children aged 1 to 3. | I want to be able to choose a chocolate flavour without losing sight of the wholegrain base and salt content. An estimated 33% of consumers prioritise this as part of a toddler’s breakfast. |
| Allergens and sweeteners | Read the latest ingredients and allergen list on the packaging. If you’re packing it to take elsewhere, check the school or childcare setting’s policy too. | When packing breakfast, I want to know which allergens and sweeteners it contains and what the setting allows. For an estimated 25% of consumers, this check comes first. |
These are different claims. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g; the no-added-sugar options discussed here list 0.6 g, 2.1 g or 3.4 g of sugars per 100 g.
So always compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, even when the front of the pack says 0% added sugar.
The products discussed contain cereals with gluten. Depending on the option, milk, pecans, possible traces of nuts or maltitols may also be relevant.
Check the packaging every time you buy, and ask about the school or childcare setting’s food and allergy policy before packing it.
The Voedingscentrum describes wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as an alternative to bread for children aged 1 to 3, not as a replacement for bread throughout the day.
When alternating between the two, keep the rest of your child’s daily diet in mind too. The Voedingscentrum suggests including two slices of bread at another time of day.
The details below apply to the specific products mentioned, not to every breakfast cereal from these brands. Based on their stated sugar values, none of these three options meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
According to Joybuy’s product information, Holie's Crunchy Muesli Chocolate Chunks is a chocolate muesli made with wholegrain oats and spelt, with no added sugar.
According to the Dutch product information, Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Chocolade is made without added sugars or sweeteners.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Krokante muesli chocolade 0% suiker contains 0 g of added sugars per 100 g, but it does contain the sweetener maltitols.
No. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can only be used for products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g or 100 ml; a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. The product information for Holie's Crunchy Muesli Chocolate Chunks and Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Chocolade lists 2.1 g and 3.4 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.
Start with wholegrain cereals with no added sugar or salt: the Voedingscentrum lists these as an alternative to bread for children aged 1 to 3. For a chocolate version, then check the total sugars, ingredients and allergens, and include bread at another time of day.
Read the ingredients list: according to the Voedingscentrum, sweeteners are listed there by name or E number. For AH Krokante muesli chocolade 0% suiker, Albert Heijn lists maltitols (E965) and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
The packaging shows the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens for the product you’re actually using. Check this information when you buy it and again before use, especially if you’re packing breakfast cereals for school or childcare.
