Shoppers looking for strictly sugar-free options
For you, ‘no added sugars’ isn’t enough. You want to check the ‘of which sugars’ amount per 100 g on the pack against the limit the Diabetes Fund gives for sugar-free products.
Who is this distinction important for?
Families avoiding added sugars
You’re looking for a crunchy breakfast without added sugars, but don’t require the product to be sugar-free. The nutrition table is still useful: naturally occurring sugars count towards the total sugar content.
Families buying several packs at once
If several family members will be eating it, you’ll want to choose a suitable pack size. Before buying a larger quantity, also check the storage instructions and allergen information for each flavour you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether sugar-free is essential or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugars. Only then compare flavours and pack sizes that meet your initial preference.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Genuinely sugar-free | Read the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. The Diabetes Fund defines sugar-free as no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If sugar-free is essential for my family, I can’t rely on the front of the pack alone; around 42% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| No added sugars | Check the claim and ingredients for the flavour you’ve chosen, as well as the total sugar content. | I mainly want to avoid added sugars, while naturally occurring sugars aren’t necessarily a concern. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this preference. |
| A suitable family pack | Check the pack size, storage instructions and allergen information before buying several packs. | With several people at home, I want to choose a quantity we can store and that’s suitable for everyone; around 25% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
Common mistakes
-
Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
A product can contain naturally occurring sugars even if no sugars have been added. So the claim on the front doesn’t tell you whether it meets the Diabetes Fund’s limit for sugar-free products.
If sugar-free is essential for you, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with the maximum of 0.5 g.
-
Choosing a large pack without checking allergens
Ingredients and allergens can vary by flavour. Zonnatura says its Granola Amandel Cashew contains wheat, almonds, cashew nuts and soya, among other ingredients; the brand also notes that it may contain other nuts, milk and sesame.
Check the allergen information on the current pack of the exact variety your family will be eating.
A bulk pack won’t be suitable for a family member who needs to avoid the allergens listed.
-
Assuming a larger pack is always more practical
A large pack only works for your household if you can store the contents properly after opening and use them within the stated storage period.
Choose a pack size that suits how often your family eats it, and follow the storage instructions on the pack.
Brands and shops to help you choose
These product ranges and selections can help you with your search, but a brand name or shop listing doesn’t make a granola sugar-free.
Cruesli
Cruesli is a Quaker product range. Jumbo lists Zero Sugar Added varieties in Naturel and Nuts & Seeds, among others.
- Jumbo describes the varieties mentioned as made without added sugars and/or sweeteners.
- Cruesli is crunchy muesli; neither the product range name nor the claim about added sugars proves that a variety is sugar-free.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists its own granola varieties with ‘0% added sugar’ in the product name, including a nut variety.
- Several pack sizes of a reduced-carbohydrate variety are also listed.
- For the variety you choose, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; the product name alone doesn’t confirm that it is sugar-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo also lists Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Nuts & Seeds in a 720 g pack.
- The pack size gives you a useful comparison point if several family members will be eating it.
- Check the exact variety for total sugars and allergens; other granola products in the same range won’t necessarily have the same characteristics.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists granola in Super Berry and Super Nutty varieties as part of its shop range.
- These flavours give you a starting point when browsing packs in store.
- Check the sugar claim, nutritional information and allergens on the label of the variety you choose.
ALDI
ALDI lists Golden Bridge Granola in a 500 g pack.
- The listed pack size can help you decide how much to buy for home.
- Don’t assume this granola is sugar-free without checking the nutritional information on the exact pack.
Zonnatura
Zonnatura has several granola flavours, including Amandel Cashew.
- Zonnatura says Amandel Cashew contains wheat, almonds, cashew nuts and soya; this information is useful when choosing for several people.
- Before buying a larger quantity, check the total sugar content and current allergen information for each variety.
Granola and Cruesli for family breakfasts
The products below include a granola multipack and several Cruesli pack sizes and flavours. If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for each individual product; a name containing ‘Zero Sugar’ or ‘Zero Sugar Added’ isn’t enough.
No image available
Holie's Granola Nuts & Seeds, 6 × 350 g
The six packs are an option if several family members eat granola. Before choosing this quantity, check the total sugar content, allergens and storage instructions for each pack.
No image available
Quaker Zs Cruesli Nuts & Seeds, 720 g
The 720 g pack is worth considering if your family eats Cruesli regularly. Jumbo describes the corresponding Zero Sugar Added Nuts & Seeds variety as made without added sugars and sweeteners; if you need a sugar-free option, still check the ‘of which sugars’ figure and read the allergen information.
No image available
Quaker Cruesli Choco Zero Sugar, 400 g
The chocolate flavour gives your family another breakfast option. The pack contains 400 g; check the ‘Zero Sugar’ wording against the nutritional information per 100 g, and check the allergens for this variety.
No image available
Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Strawberry & Peach, 400 g
This 400 g strawberry and peach variety offers another flavour for households where not everyone wants the same Cruesli. ‘Zero Sugar Added’ refers to added sugars; check the total sugar content and allergens separately.
No image available
Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Apple, Pecan and Cinnamon, 400 g
This 400 g apple, pecan and cinnamon variety is another flavour to consider when comparing Cruesli. As it contains pecan, check the allergen information on the exact pack; to find out whether the product is sugar-free, also check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. According to the Diabetes Fund, sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; a product with no added sugars can still contain naturally occurring sugars. So if sugar-free is essential for you, check the total sugar content.
What should I check if a family member needs to avoid certain allergens?
Read the allergen information on the current pack of the exact flavour you’re buying, even if you’re already familiar with another variety from the same brand. Zonnatura says its Granola Amandel Cashew contains wheat, almonds, cashew nuts and soya, among other ingredients, and may also contain other nuts, milk and sesame.
How should I store a larger pack of Cruesli after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen and seal it properly after use. Jumbo recommends storing Quaker Zero Sugar Added Granola Naturel in a cool, dry place and rolling the bag up after use; check the pack for any other variety.
When is a large pack useful for a family?
A large pack is most practical when your family uses the contents regularly and you can store them according to the label. First check that the variety meets your sugar requirements and is suitable for everyone who’ll be eating it; then choose a quantity that suits how your household uses it.