If your toddler has coeliac disease, only choose chocolate breakfast cereals whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’; the flavour or type of grain is no substitute. Then compare the sugars and ingredients, and check for other allergens and any whole or large pieces of peanuts or nuts. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt for children aged 1 to 3.
For them, the ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging is the starting point. They then check the ingredients and allergens relevant to their child, as emphasised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority in its guidance on food labelling.
They compare sugar levels and wholegrain ingredients with the breakfast choices for children aged 1 to 3 described by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, without automatically treating chocolate cereal as an everyday staple.
As well as gluten, they need to consider ingredients such as peanuts or nuts, and the size of any crunchy pieces. This matters both at home and when breakfast cereal is taken to nursery.
If your toddler has coeliac disease, first check the current gluten-free label. Then look at the nutritional information, ingredients and texture that matter for your child.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and read the ingredients and allergen information. | If my toddler has coeliac disease, I want to choose based on the packaging in my hand, not just the type of grain. For around 42% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
| Sugars and type of grain | Compare sugars and any added sugars per 100 g; also check which grain is used and whether it is wholegrain. | I want to know how chocolate breakfast cereals fit into my toddler’s breakfast choices. Around 33% of consumers give this nutritional consideration top priority. |
| Other allergens and texture | Read the information about peanuts and nuts, and check whether the product contains whole or large pieces. Ask the nursery about its allergy policy. | If peanuts, nuts or large pieces are a concern for my toddler, I want to assess this before serving or packing the food. This matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
If your toddler has coeliac disease, rice as an ingredient or a familiar brand name is no substitute for a ‘gluten-free’ label on the product.
Check the label on the current packaging and read the ingredients and allergen information too.
According to Joybuy’s product information, Holie’s Gluten Free Granola Peanut Chocolate contains no added sugar, but Jumbo says it contains peanuts and may contain nuts. This also tells you nothing about the size of any pieces.
Assess sugars, allergens and texture separately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole peanuts or nuts to children under 4.
For AH Glutenvrij Krokante muesli chocolade, Albert Heijn lists possible traces of milk, soya and various nuts, among other things.
For any relevant allergy, check the information on the packaging and ask the nursery about its policy.
Ingredients and allergen information can change between viewing a product page and buying the product.
Use online information to compare products, but read the packaging of the product you’ve actually bought before using it.
Freee Chocolate stars is a chocolate breakfast cereal made with maize and rice, which Albert Heijn labels gluten-free.
According to Albert Heijn, Krokante muesli chocolade contains gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes as its first ingredient.
Gluten Free Granola Peanut Chocolate is a granola with peanuts and cocoa, not the same type of product as chocolate cereal or crunchy chocolate muesli.
Start by checking for a ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging, then check the ingredients and allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the requirements for this label; a rice or maize base alone does not offer the same reassurance.
It isn’t the recommended choice for everyday breakfast. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt. If you choose a chocolate variety, compare the nutritional information and ideally serve it as an occasional alternative.
You’ll need to assess the specific product and your child. According to Jumbo, Holie’s Gluten Free Granola Peanut Chocolate contains peanuts, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole peanuts or nuts to children under 4. So check the allergen information and look for any whole or large pieces. Choose something else if you can’t assess the texture safely.
Ask the nursery about its current allergy policy and check the packaging of the product you want to send in. If your toddler has coeliac disease, look for a ‘gluten-free’ label. For any other relevant allergies, read the ingredients and allergen information too.
