If you have coeliac disease, only choose muesli whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol; ordinary oats or the term ‘wholegrain’ are not enough. Then compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information per 100 g to find an option that suits your breakfast preferences too.
You want to avoid ordinary oats or gluten-containing grains in the muesli. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre therefore recommends checking the current packaging for the words ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol.
Once you’ve checked that it’s gluten-free, you’ll want to know which grains and other ingredients the muesli contains. For example, you can compare the fibre, protein and sugar content in the nutritional information per 100 g.
You might be looking for a fruity or crunchy muesli, for example. Check each variety again for its gluten-free labelling, any other allergens and current availability.
If you have coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free labelling on the packaging. Only then is it useful to compare the ingredients, flavour and availability.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. For muesli containing oats, check that it is explicitly labelled gluten-free. | When I buy muesli for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be sure it’s labelled gluten-free first. For around 50% of consumers, this is the most important check. |
| Ingredients | Compare the ingredients, allergens, and fibre, protein and sugar content per 100 g. | For my everyday breakfast, once I’ve checked that it’s gluten-free, I want to choose ingredients that suit my preferences. For around 30% of consumers, this comes first. |
| Flavour and availability | Check the ingredients in your preferred variety and see if it’s available from your chosen retailer. | I want to be able to switch to a fruity or crunchy muesli that I can actually buy. For around 20% of consumers, flavour and availability are the next most important considerations. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. So muesli containing oat flakes is not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease.
If you’re choosing oat muesli, check that the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol.
‘Wholegrain’ says nothing about whether a product is gluten-free. For example, Quaker Nederland lists whole wheat and wheat flour as ingredients in Quaker Cruesli 4 Nuts, while ALDI lists wheat flakes in Golden Bridge Volkoren Muesli.
Check each variety individually, and don’t treat terms such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘high in fibre’ as a substitute for gluten-free labelling.
Fruit muesli can contain sugars from dried fruit, even when the packaging says ‘no added sugars’. A gluten-free mix may also contain other allergens.
Once you’ve checked that it’s gluten-free, read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values per 100 g.
Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. A retailer’s online range can change too.
Check the packaging of the product you’re actually buying, and make sure your preferred variety is available before you shop.
Albert Heijn describes AH Glutenvrij Muesli as a mix that includes gluten-free oat flakes, soya flakes and buckwheat flakes.
According to Jumbo’s product information, the Consenza organic fruit muesli reviewed contains gluten-free oat flakes and dried fruit.
The Eat Natural gluten-free breakfast cereals reviewed contain ingredients such as buckwheat, gluten-free oats, seeds or other grains, depending on the variety.
Quaker Cruesli 4 Nuts is an example of a regular crunchy breakfast cereal, not a gluten-free muesli.
Not automatically. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. Only choose oat muesli whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol.
No. For the Consenza fruit muesli reviewed, Jumbo lists both ‘no added sugars’ and 15 g of sugars per 100 g. So compare the total sugar content in the nutritional information per 100 g.
No. ALDI lists wheat flakes in Golden Bridge Volkoren Muesli, while Quaker Nederland lists wheat in Quaker Cruesli 4 Nuts. Check the current gluten-free labelling and ingredients list for every variety.
Store opened muesli in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, dark place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives opened muesli a storage life of one year in a kitchen cupboard; also follow the instructions on the packaging.
