Who is this choice relevant to?

People with coeliac disease and diabetes

You need a gluten-free product and also want to consider the carbohydrates and fibre in your breakfast. A gluten-free label answers only the first question.

Cornflakes fans looking to change up their breakfast

You want to keep eating cornflakes, while also paying attention to your portion and the nutritional information for the rest of your breakfast.

Shoppers looking for a gluten-free alternative

You’re open to having porridge oats or muesli instead of cornflakes, and check each pack to see whether the product is gluten-free and what its nutritional values are.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, first check that the pack confirms the product is gluten-free. Then compare the nutritional information for cornflakes and any alternatives. The portion you choose and the rest of your meal matter with other breakfast cereals too.

Gluten-free cornflakes

A good fit if: you want to keep eating cornflakes and the pack is explicitly labelled gluten-free or bears the Crossed Grain symbol.

Consider: this label says nothing about carbohydrates or fibre. Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Cornflakes as containing 80 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fibre per 100 g.

Gluten-free porridge oats or muesli

A good fit if: the ingredients in your breakfast matter more to you than having cornflakes. The Diabetes Fund names porridge oats and muesli as breakfast alternatives.

Consider: you’ll be choosing a different texture, and you’ll still need to check the gluten-free label, nutritional values and serving size for the specific product.

What to consider What to check when buying Who this matters most to
Gluten-free status Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the ingredients and allergen information. If you have coeliac disease, you need to be able to see that this particular pack is suitable for a gluten-free diet. This assurance is a priority for around 40% of consumers.
Carbohydrates and fibre Compare carbohydrates, sugars and fibre per 100 g and per serving. Also factor in what you eat or drink with your cereal. If you’re keeping track of carbohydrates at breakfast, you’ll want to consider your chosen portion alongside the rest of the meal. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this consideration.
Practical choice Check whether the product you want is available. If the range varies, keep an alternative in mind whose label you can check. You may want to be able to buy a familiar breakfast without relying on a single product. For around 20% of consumers, this practical consideration matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming cornflakes made from maize are automatically gluten-free

    A maize-based product can still contain other ingredients. The Kellogg's Corn Flakes listed by Jumbo contain barley malt extract and identify barley as an allergen.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging and choose cornflakes that are explicitly labelled gluten-free or bear the Crossed Grain symbol.

  • Confusing gluten-free with low in carbohydrates

    Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Cornflakes as containing 80 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. The gluten-free label does not tell you about the nutritional value of your whole breakfast.

    Compare carbohydrates and fibre per 100 g and per serving. If you choose an alternative, check both its gluten-free label and its nutritional information.

  • Assuming a product page means the product is currently available

    On the pages for its gluten-free cornflakes and the Consenza Pure & Free version, Jumbo says these products are no longer available in its online range.

    Check availability shortly before buying, and check the label again if you choose a replacement product.

Brands and product ranges to consider

AH Glutenvrij / Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Cornflakes 200 g as a gluten-free product.

  • The product information includes the ingredients and nutritional values.
  • The listed 80 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fibre per 100 g need to be considered separately from the gluten-free label.

Kellogg's

The regular Kellogg's Corn Flakes 375 g listed by Jumbo are not a suitable alternative if you need to eat gluten-free.

  • Ingredients and nutritional values are listed for this version.
  • The ingredients include barley malt extract, and the allergen information lists barley.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

The product information for Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Cornflakes 200 g describes a gluten-free version, but Jumbo says on the page that it is no longer available in its online range.

  • The product information shown features the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • Jumbo lists 80 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fibre per 100 g. If you choose another product, check its packaging and nutritional values again.

Golden Bridge / ALDI

ALDI lists Golden Bridge Cornflakes and also offers gluten-free muesli and porridge oats in its breakfast cereal range. These are different products.

  • If you’re not choosing cornflakes, you can explore the separate gluten-free breakfast cereal categories.
  • Don’t assume Golden Bridge Cornflakes have the same qualities as products in those other categories. Check the current gluten-free label, ingredients and nutritional information for this product itself.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are gluten-free cornflakes automatically suitable if you’re watching your carbohydrate intake?

No. Gluten-free status tells you nothing about the carbohydrate or fibre content. Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Cornflakes as containing 80 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fibre per 100 g. Compare your portion and the rest of your breakfast too.

Can I choose regular Kellogg's Corn Flakes if I have coeliac disease because they’re made from maize?

Not the version Jumbo lists as Kellogg's Corn Flakes 375 g: it contains barley malt extract and lists barley as an allergen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol when following a gluten-free diet.

What does the ‘gluten-free’ label tell me about cornflakes?

The label helps you identify a product for a gluten-free diet, but it says nothing about the amount of carbohydrates, sugars or fibre. So, as well as checking the label, check the current ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values.

What should I look out for if I still want to include cornflakes in my breakfast?

First, check that your chosen cornflakes meet the requirements of your gluten-free diet. Then look at the nutritional information for your portion and the rest of your breakfast. For type 2 diabetes, the Diabetes Fund recommends paying attention to protein and fibre, and names low-fibre breakfast cereals such as cornflakes as foods to limit as much as possible. If needed, discuss your personal dietary requirements with your diabetes care provider or dietitian.