Anyone hosting a guest with coeliac disease
You’ll want to stop regular granola or bread crumbs from getting into the gluten-free bowl. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking the packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol.
Who is this choice important for?
Anyone who needs to consider other allergens too
Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from nuts or soya. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties described here differ in their ingredients and allergen information. Ask your guest what they need to avoid, and read the label of the variety you choose.
Anyone who wants to compare nutritional values
Once the gluten-free label and allergen information are suitable, you can compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving. Bear in mind that ‘no added sugar’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and allergen information first. Only then compare nutritional values and work out how many packs you’ll need for brunch.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging; also consider how you’ll serve the granola separately. | When I’m preparing a bowl for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on oats being listed as an ingredient alone. For around 36% of consumers, verified gluten-free status comes first. |
| Allergens and oats | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety, especially for nuts and soya; also ask whether your guest avoids oats. | If guests have several dietary requirements, the granola needs to suit their other needs too. Around 29% of consumers put checking allergens and oats first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars, fibre and protein per 100 g, and check the information per serving; don’t confuse added sugar with total sugars. | Once the granola suits the dietary requirements, I want to know what I’m actually serving. Around 21% of consumers give comparing nutritional values top priority at this point. |
| Pack size and planning | Check the pack size and whether you can buy the chosen variety in time; read the label even when buying it again. | For a brunch with several guests, I want to be able to serve enough of the same suitable variety. Around 14% of consumers put practical planning first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming oats or ‘no added sugar’ means gluten-free
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, regular oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains. Quaker also states that its Cruesli Granola Zero Sugar Added Nuts & Seeds may contain barley and wheat (gluten).
Make the gluten-free label or Crossed Grain symbol your first check, then look at the nutritional values.
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Overlooking other allergens
Gluten-free granola may still contain ingredients a guest needs to avoid, such as nuts or soya. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties described here have different allergen information.
Ask your guest in advance which ingredients they avoid, and check the packaging of the exact variety you’re serving.
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Sharing a spoon with regular granola
Bread crumbs or a spoon that’s also used for products containing gluten could end up in the gluten-free bowl.
Serve the granola separately, using its own clean bowl and serving spoon.
Brands to consider
AH Glutenvrij
The Albert Heijn Granola reviewed combines gluten-free oats with seeds, buckwheat and almonds.
- Albert Heijn labels this variety ‘Gluten-free’ and says it is ‘Produced in a completely gluten-free environment’.
- This variety contains almonds and carries warnings about the possible presence of other nuts and soya; check the current packaging.
Holie's
The Gluten Free varieties described by Jumbo are Protein Nuts and Buckwheat & Nuts.
- Jumbo lists 22 g of protein per 100 g and no added sugar for Protein Nuts. For Buckwheat & Nuts, it lists 1.9 g of sugars and 14 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the nut and soya information for each variety. These nutritional values don’t automatically apply to other Holie's granola.
Free Of gluten
Jumbo describes a gluten-free Crunchy granola nuts and honey.
- The product information states ‘Gluten-free’ and displays the Crossed Grain symbol.
- The variety described contains hazelnuts and soya. As well as checking the gluten-free label, look at the ingredients and nutritional information.
Quaker Cruesli
The Zero Sugar Added Nuts & Seeds reviewed is a specific granola variety, not a gluten-free alternative just because of its name.
- You can identify this variety by the ‘Zero Sugar Added’ label.
- Quaker says this variety may contain barley and wheat (gluten). Don’t serve it as a gluten-free option for someone with coeliac disease.
Zonnatura
The granola varieties reviewed are Almond Cashew and Crunchy Cacao.
- Each variety has its own ingredients and allergen information, which you can check when choosing.
- Zonnatura lists wheat and gluten for both varieties reviewed. Don’t use them as gluten-free granola for brunch.
Granola on Joybuy
These two options are the same Holie's Peanut Chocolate granola, available as a single pack or a bundle. The product names say Glutenfree; before serving, check the gluten-free label and allergen information on the current packaging.
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Holie's Granola Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate, 330 g
A single pack to consider if you’re planning to serve this Peanut Chocolate variety at brunch. The product name states 330 g; check the current gluten-free label and look out for peanuts, other nuts and soya in the allergen information.
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Holie's Granola Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate, 6 x 330 g
A bundle of the same variety if you’d like to serve several packs. The product name states 6 x 330 g; check the current gluten-free label and information about peanuts, other nuts and soya here too.
Frequently asked questions
Is granola containing oats automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. Oats as an ingredient don’t in themselves mean a product is gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the risk of regular oats coming into contact with gluten-containing grains. Choose a product whose packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or displays the Crossed Grain symbol for your guest.
What labels appear on the gluten-free granola described here?
Albert Heijn labels AH Glutenvrij Granola ‘Gluten-free’ and says it is produced in a completely gluten-free environment. For Free Of gluten Crunchy granola nuts and honey, Jumbo states ‘Gluten-free’ and displays the Crossed Grain symbol. Always check the packaging of the variety you choose before buying, including its allergen information.
How can I serve gluten-free granola without cross-contamination?
Use a clean, separate bowl and serving spoon for the gluten-free granola. Keep bread crumbs, regular granola and shared cutlery away from the bowl.
Can I serve the Zonnatura or Quaker Cruesli varieties described here as gluten-free?
No, not the varieties described here. Zonnatura lists wheat and gluten for Granola Almond Cashew and Crunchy Cacao. Quaker says Cruesli Granola Zero Sugar Added Nuts & Seeds may contain barley and wheat (gluten). Check the current packaging of other varieties individually.