Breakfast eater who tracks carbohydrates per portion
You want to fit granola into your personal eating plan, so you look at how much you actually serve yourself, not just a claim on the front of the pack.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Household that buys in bulk
You eat granola regularly and want to know whether you’ll use up a larger pack, without overlooking the nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen.
Shopper looking to limit added sugars
You’re looking for granola with no added sugars, but also want to check the total carbohydrates and sugars in your portion.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a breakfast that takes diabetes into account, first compare the nutritional information with the portion you actually eat. Pack size and claims about added sugars can help you choose, but they don’t replace this comparison.
Large bag of granola
A good fit if: Your household eats granola regularly and can use up a 500 g bag.
Consider: The larger pack tells you nothing about the carbohydrates in your portion; check the label for the exact variety.
No added sugars
A good fit if: You want to avoid added sugars and compare the ingredients in different granolas.
Consider: This claim doesn’t mean a product is low in total carbohydrates.
Lower-carbohydrate granola
A good fit if: The amount of carbohydrates in your weighed portion is the deciding factor for you.
Consider: Compare products using the same amount of granola; a stated serving size isn’t personalised portion advice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates per portion | Check the carbohydrates per 100 g and work out the amount for your weighed portion. | If I want to fit granola into my eating plan, I want to know what my own serving contributes. For around 31% of these consumers, carbohydrates per portion are the most important factor. |
| Added sugars | Read the ingredients list and the nutritional information for sugars; also check the total carbohydrates. | I want to avoid added sugars without mistaking a pack claim for low carbohydrate content. For around 25% of these consumers, this check comes first. |
| Pack size | Compare the weight of each bag and consider whether you’ll use up the contents. | We eat granola regularly at home, so a larger bag needs to suit how much we use. Pack size is the first consideration for around 19% of these consumers. |
| Fibre and protein | Compare the amounts listed per 100 g, alongside the carbohydrates. | I want to take these nutrients into account when comparing two granolas. For around 13% of these consumers, fibre and protein are the main points of comparison. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. | If I have a relevant allergy, I want to know which ingredients and warnings are on the label before buying. For around 12% of these consumers, this check takes priority. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘low in carbohydrates’
Other ingredients in granola can also contribute carbohydrates. So a claim about added sugars doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates are in your portion.
Check the ‘carbohydrates’ row in the nutritional information and calculate the amount for the portion you eat.
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Looking only at the size of the value pack
A larger bag is only useful for your household if you’ll use up the contents and the granola you choose suits what you want to eat.
Before buying, check both the pack weight and the nutritional information and ingredients for that specific variety.
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Guessing portion size by eye
The amount in your bowl may differ from the serving size stated on the pack. This also changes the amount of carbohydrates you count.
Weigh your usual portion when calculating carbohydrates per serving.
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Choosing granola with nuts without checking the label
If you have a relevant allergy, the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety are what matter. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly stated on the label.
Check the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging.
Brands to consider
Quaker Cruesli
Quaker Cruesli offers both a Zero Sugar Added Granola Naturel variety and a 4 Nuts value pack.
- Jumbo describes Zero Sugar Added Granola Naturel as being made without added sugars and/or sweeteners.
- That description doesn’t automatically apply to 4 Nuts. diabetes.nl’s breakfast table lists 57 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of sugars per 100 g for Quaker 4 Nuts. Check the nutritional information on the pack you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers granola in 500 g bags, including Haver, Pitten en Bessen and Noten, Pitten en Zaden.
- The stated pack weight makes these varieties clear options for households looking for a larger bag.
- Check the carbohydrates and sugars on the label for the flavour you choose; the pack size won’t tell you this.
TastyBasics
TastyBasics offers a Low Carb High Protein Granola Naturel variety for anyone who wants to compare nutritional values per portion.
- For this Naturel variety, Jumbo lists 22 g of carbohydrates, 25 g of fibre and 33 g of protein per 100 g, and 6,7 g of carbohydrates per stated 30 g portion.
- These figures apply to the Naturel variety, not automatically to other TastyBasics granolas. The stated serving size doesn’t determine what’s right for you personally.
Holie
Holie offers several granola varieties, including Low Carb Cacao Nuts & Seeds.
- The product name helps you find a variety whose nutritional information you can compare closely.
- Don’t assume all varieties have the same ingredients: check the carbohydrates, sugars and ingredients on each pack.
Zonnatura
Albert Heijn lists Zonnatura Granola Classic Crunchy and Granola Amandel Cashew, among other products.
- The different varieties give you specific packs to compare for ingredients and nutritional information.
- A variety name or claim on the front doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates are in your portion.
Granola and multipacks on Joybuy
Below you’ll find both multipacks of six 350 g bags and individual 350 g bags. If you’re mainly looking for a larger pack, compare the total pack weight. For breakfast, the nutritional information and your own portion remain the deciding factors.
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Holie's Granola Low Carb Crunch, 6 x 350 g
A multipack for households that want to use several individual bags of granola.
The product name states that the pack contains six 350 g bags. Before comparing this variety with your usual portion, check the nutritional information, ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
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TastyBasics Granola Nuts & Seeds, 350 g
An individual bag for anyone who wants to compare this Nuts & Seeds variety without committing to a multipack.
The product name states that the pack contains 350 g. Use the nutritional information for this variety, and don’t assume it has the same values as TastyBasics Granola Naturel.
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Holie's Granola Nuts & Seeds, 6 x 350 g
An option for households that want to buy the Nuts & Seeds variety in several bags.
The product name states that the pack contains six 350 g bags. Compare the carbohydrates in your own portion using the label; you can’t tell the ingredients from the pack size.
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Holie's Granola Low Carb Crunch, 350 g
An individual bag for anyone who wants to compare Low Carb Crunch with the multipack of the same named variety.
The product name states that the pack contains 350 g. Check the carbohydrates and allergens on the packaging, and calculate the nutritional values for the amount you eat.
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Holie's Granola Protein Amandel Speculaas, 6 x 350 g
A multipack for anyone specifically looking for the Amandel Speculaas flavour in individual bags.
The product name states that the pack contains six 350 g bags. Check the current nutritional information on the packaging before counting carbohydrates or protein in your portion, and read the allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Is granola with no added sugars automatically suitable if you have diabetes?
No. This claim doesn’t tell you how many total carbohydrates are in your portion. According to diabetes.nl, the amount of carbohydrates that’s right for you varies from person to person. So compare the nutritional information for your weighed portion with your personal eating plan.
How do I compare a large bag with a smaller pack of granola?
First compare the nutritional values for the same amount of granola, then consider whether you’ll use up the larger pack. Check the carbohydrates, sugars and ingredients for each variety separately; the same pack weight doesn’t mean the ingredients are the same.
What nutritional information should I look for on a granola label?
Start with carbohydrates and sugars per 100 g, then calculate the amounts for the portion you eat. The European Commission also lists energy, fat, saturates, protein and salt among the information that must appear on the nutrition declaration for most prepacked foods.
Should everyone with diabetes have the same portion of granola?
No, there’s no portion that’s right for everyone. diabetes.nl says that the amount of carbohydrates that’s right for you varies from person to person. Ask a dietitian or healthcare professional for personalised advice if you’re tailoring your diet to your treatment.
What should I look out for if I have a nut allergy?
Before choosing granola, read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly stated on the label.