If you have coeliac disease, choose muesli that is explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain mark. Then compare the ingredients, other allergens and nutritional information. A plain variety can make a handy quick breakfast base, while fruity or crunchy varieties may contain different amounts of sugar and other allergens. If you’re taking it with you, also think about how you’ll portion the muesli and what you’ll have with it.
You want to be able to quickly combine muesli with yoghurt, milk, quark or a plant-based alternative, but first you need to check that the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies the ‘gluten-free’ label and the Crossed Grain mark as signs to look for.
You want to portion out your dry muesli in advance and compare the nutritional information for plain mixes. Albert Heijn states that AH Glutenvrij Muesli contains 0 g added sugar, 13 g fibre and 18 g protein per 100 g.
You’re looking for nuts, crunch or dried fruit, but also want to check the total sugars per 100 g and the allergens in your chosen variety. A gluten-free label says nothing about whether the product contains nuts or soya, for example.
If you have coeliac disease, an explicit gluten-free label is the starting point. Only then do differences in nutritional information, convenience and flavour come into play when choosing a quick breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain mark on the exact product packaging; don’t judge oats or wholegrain cereals by their name alone. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to know whether this muesli is labelled gluten-free before considering anything else. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars, fibre and protein per 100 g, and check separately what the label says about added sugars. | For my regular breakfast, I want to compare the ingredients in a plain variety and a fruit variety. Around 29% of consumers give nutritional information top priority. |
| Easy to take with you | Check whether you can prepare a portion in advance, what you’ll need to have with it and whether the variety you want is available where you shop. | On busy mornings, I want to be able to take breakfast with me without any extra preparation. Convenience is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Flavour and other allergens | Compare fruit, nuts and texture; also read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement. | I’d like crunchy or fruity muesli, but I need to know which other allergens it contains. This distinction matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
The type of grain or the word ‘wholegrain’ is no substitute for a gluten-free label. According to Albert Heijn, Brinta Volkoren Graanontbijt contains wheat flour, while Quaker Cruesli Luchtig contains wheat flour and barley malt, among other ingredients.
First check for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain mark on the exact variety, then read the ingredients list.
Jumbo states that its gluten-free organic generously filled fruit muesli has no added sugars, while the nutritional information lists 15 g sugars per 100 g.
For fruity muesli, compare both the statement about added sugars and the total sugars per 100 g.
A gluten-free label doesn’t rule out other allergens. According to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij Krokante muesli met noten contains almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts; the plain variety contains soya and may contain nuts.
Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the pack you’re buying.
A suitable muesli won’t necessarily be available at your local shop or online when you want to order it.
Check current availability before relying on one particular variety for your breakfast.
Albert Heijn describes both a gluten-free plain muesli and a gluten-free crunchy muesli with nuts.
Consenza offers a range that includes gluten-free fruit muesli with oats and dried fruit.
Eat Natural’s product information describes a gluten-free buckwheat muesli with seeds and dried fruit.
Brinta Volkoren Graanontbijt is a cereal breakfast, not a gluten-free muesli option for this choice.
Quaker Cruesli Luchtig is a crunchy breakfast product, but the variety described is not a gluten-free muesli option.
No. Choose muesli that is explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain mark. Check the label on the exact pack: the word ‘oats’ alone doesn’t confirm that the product meets the gluten-free requirement.
Yes. Under European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label is permitted when the finished product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. So the label doesn’t mean that the product contains absolutely no gluten.
Put a portion of dry muesli in a sealable container in advance, then add yoghurt, milk, quark or a plant-based alternative when you’re ready to eat. If you’re taking dairy out of the fridge for a while, use an ice pack.
No, not the varieties mentioned here. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Volkoren Graanontbijt contains wheat flour and Quaker Cruesli Luchtig contains wheat flour and barley malt, among other ingredients.
