Who is this choice relevant to?

People with coeliac disease who also keep an eye on carbohydrates

You need a strictly gluten-free product and also want to assess the carbohydrates, sugars, fibre and size of your usual portion.

People buying oats, flakes and muesli

You want to know whether an oat product is clearly labelled gluten-free. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, oats may come into contact with gluten during growing or processing.

Fans of crunchy granola

You’re looking for a crunchy gluten-free option, but want to compare the sugars and carbohydrates per portion. Granola is a different product category from standard flakes.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free labelling first. Only then compare the nutritional information of products that meet this requirement.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Gluten-free status Look for clear gluten-free labelling. For oats, the Dutch Coeliac Association recommends the Crossed Grain symbol; check the ingredients and allergen information too. If I have coeliac disease, I want to be sure that an oat product is clearly labelled as suitable too. Around 39% of consumers give this check their highest priority.
Carbohydrates and ingredients Compare carbohydrates, of which sugars, and fibre per 100 g; also work out these values for your portion. Diabetes Fonds highlights unsweetened, high-fibre breakfast cereals as something to consider. When I’m watching the carbohydrates in my breakfast, I don’t want to rely on a sugar claim alone. For around 38% of consumers, this nutritional consideration comes first.
Portion size and allergens Check the nutritional information for the amount you eat and read the allergen information, especially for granola containing peanuts or nuts. I want a crunchy breakfast I can enjoy in a suitable portion, without overlooking an allergen that matters to me. This consideration comes first for around 23% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming gluten-free means low in sugar

    The nutritional content varies from product to product. According to Jumbo’s product information, Free Of Gluten Crunchy Granola Nuts-Honey contains 21 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 1.9 g per 100 g for Holie’s Gluten Free Granola Buckwheat & Nuts.

    As well as sugars, compare the total carbohydrates and the portion you actually eat.

  • Assuming standard oats or high-fibre cereals are automatically gluten-free

    Oats may come into contact with gluten. Fibre content doesn’t tell you whether a product is gluten-free either: according to Jumbo’s product information, Brinta Wholegrain Cereal Breakfast contains wheat, while Kellogg’s lists wheat bran and barley malt extract in All-Bran Fibre Plus.

    If you have coeliac disease, choose a product that is clearly labelled gluten-free. Check the ingredients and allergens on every new pack.

  • Looking only at the sugar content of granola

    A low sugar value doesn’t tell you how many total carbohydrates are in your portion. Granola containing nuts may also be unsuitable if you have a nut allergy.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and check the allergens before choosing a variety.

  • Treating a range page as the definitive label

    Product ranges can change, and product information may be updated. This is especially important if gluten-free labelling or an allergen affects your choice.

    Check the current pack for gluten-free labelling, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Brands and ranges to help you compare

Albert Heijn / AH Glutenvrij

AH Glutenvrij Granola is a good example for anyone looking for granola that is clearly labelled gluten-free.

  • Albert Heijn says this variety is made in a completely gluten-free environment and contains 19 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The same product information lists 11 g of added sugars per 100 g. So assess the nutritional value separately from the gluten-free labelling.

Holie’s

Gluten Free Granola Buckwheat & Nuts is a gluten-free buckwheat and nut granola; the nutritional values apply to this specific variety.

  • Jumbo lists 1.9 g of sugars and 14 g of fibre per 100 g for Buckwheat & Nuts.
  • This variety contains almonds and hazelnuts. If you have an allergy, check the full allergen information.

Free Of Gluten

Crunchy Granola Nuts-Honey is an example of crunchy gluten-free granola whose nutritional value is worth checking separately.

  • According to Jumbo’s product information, the variety reviewed carries the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • Jumbo lists 21 g of sugars and 61 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for this variety, so bear the portion size in mind when comparing.

Brinta

If you need to eat strictly gluten-free, the ingredients list is what matters for Brinta Wholegrain Cereal Breakfast.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists wholemeal wheat flour as an ingredient.
  • This particular variety is therefore not gluten-free, regardless of its other nutritional values.

Kellogg’s

Check Kellogg’s breakfast cereals variety by variety, rather than relying on a fibre claim or the brand name.

  • Kellogg’s lists the ingredients for All-Bran Fibre Plus on its product page.
  • According to Kellogg’s, All-Bran Fibre Plus contains wheat bran and barley malt extract, so it is not a gluten-free choice.

Jumbo

The range includes different types of granola. Being listed in the granola category doesn’t, by itself, mean that every variety is gluten-free.

  • Jumbo provides product information that lets you compare specific varieties, such as the Holie’s and Free Of Gluten granolas mentioned here.
  • Check the gluten-free labelling, allergens and nutritional information for each individual variety.

ALDI

ALDI includes gluten-free muesli and porridge oats in its breakfast cereal range.

  • This gives you a starting point when looking for a clearly labelled oat or muesli product.
  • Once you’ve chosen a specific variety, check its ingredients, allergens and nutritional value on the pack.

Lidl

When gluten-free ranges change, the current pack matters more than an older listing in the range.

  • Check each product for clear gluten-free labelling.
  • Don’t assume a specific variety will always be available; Lidl says its additional gluten-free range may change.

Gluten-free granola on Joybuy

This is a crunchy granola option for anyone who wants to check the portion size and allergens as well as the gluten-free labelling. Granola isn’t a substitute for comparing standard flakes, rolled oats and muesli.

Holie's Granola Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate, 330 g

Holie’s Granola Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate, 330 g

An option if you’re looking for crunchy gluten-free granola and want to assess the nutritional information for your own portion.

330 g pack. According to the product information, this Peanut Chocolate variety contains peanuts; if you have allergies, check the other allergens on the current pack too.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are gluten-free breakfast cereals automatically suitable if I’m watching my carbohydrate intake?

No. Being gluten-free says nothing about the amount of carbohydrates, sugars or fibre. According to Jumbo’s product information, two gluten-free granolas, Holie’s Buckwheat & Nuts and Free Of Gluten Nuts-Honey, contain 1.9 g and 21 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. Also compare the total carbohydrates in the portion you eat.

What should I look for in oats if I have coeliac disease?

Choose oats that are clearly labelled gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Association recommends the Crossed Grain symbol; otherwise, look for a gluten-free logo or statement, as oats may come into contact with gluten. A small number of people with coeliac disease also react to pure oats; if you have symptoms, speak to a doctor or specialist dietitian.

Which nutritional information should I compare for breakfast cereals?

Compare carbohydrates, of which sugars, and fibre per 100 g and for the amount you eat. Also check whether added sugars are listed. Diabetes Fonds recommends wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar as a starting point when putting together breakfast.

Is the online product page enough to check allergens?

Check the current pack before using the product too. Ingredients and allergen information can change, so this final check is important if you have coeliac disease or a food allergy.