People with coeliac disease who want to compare fibre
For you, the gluten-free claim on the current packaging comes before the fibre content or a familiar brand name. Also read the ingredients and any warnings about cereals containing gluten.
Who should consider these factors?
People who want a quick bowl of breakfast cereal
You’re looking for flakes, pops or muesli that you can serve without cooking. Once you’ve checked the gluten-free claim, you can compare fibre per 100 g and per serving.
Oat lovers with coeliac disease
You’d like to keep considering porridge oats or a product containing oats. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights both the risk of contact with cereals containing gluten and the fact that people vary in how well they tolerate pure oats.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the gluten-free claim on the exact product. Only then compare the nutritional information and choose the type of breakfast cereal you enjoy eating.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and check for warnings about cereals containing gluten. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to assume a product is suitable based only on the type of grain or its fibre content. For around 50% of these consumers, the gluten-free claim comes first. |
| Fibre content | Compare fibre per 100 g and per serving; also check the sugars in the nutritional information. | For a high-fibre breakfast, I want to know how much fibre my usual serving contains without skipping the gluten-free check. Around 30% of consumers give this fibre comparison their highest priority. |
| Preparation and ingredients | Choose between flakes, pops and muesli based on the texture you prefer, and check for any other relevant allergens. | For a quick breakfast, I want a texture I enjoy and ingredients that suit my other dietary restrictions. For around 20% of consumers, everyday convenience matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming oats are automatically suitable
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, oats can come into contact with cereals containing gluten during growing and processing. Not everyone with coeliac disease tolerates pure oats either.
If you choose oats, look for a product with a current gluten-free claim and read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging too.
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Ignoring a warning about cereals containing gluten
A warning about possible cross-contamination is not the same as a gluten-free claim, even if the breakfast cereal is described as high in fibre.
Take such a warning seriously. For a coeliac-friendly purchase, look for a product whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
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Comparing fibre content alone
Gluten-free muesli can contain sugars and other allergens as well as fibre. Joybuy’s product information for Eat Natural Gluten-Free Buckwheat Muesli lists, among other things, nuts, peanuts, soya, sesame seeds and milk.
Read the nutritional information per 100 g and the allergen information for the exact product, especially if you have a food allergy as well as coeliac disease.
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Relying on information from an earlier packet
Albert Heijn says that product ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
When you buy a new packet, check the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergens again.
Relevant brands and product ranges
AH Glutenvrij
This Albert Heijn range includes gluten-free muesli, oat flakes, high-fibre oat pops and high-fibre bran flakes.
- You can browse different types of breakfast cereal in the range and compare their packaging.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so always check the exact product.
Eat Natural
Eat Natural Gluten-Free Buckwheat Muesli is a muesli made with buckwheat and seeds. Joybuy’s product information lists 7,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The nutritional information provided gives you a clear basis for comparing fibre content.
- Joybuy also lists 15,3 g of sugars per 100 g and the allergens nuts, peanuts, soya, sesame seeds and milk for this specific muesli.
Quaker / Cruesli
Quaker is worth considering if you’re looking at oat products or Cruesli.
- An oat base may be a reason to check the fibre content of a specific product.
- Quaker says it cannot guarantee that its products are completely gluten-free. Don’t assume oats or Cruesli are suitable for coeliac disease based on the name alone; check the exact label.
Brinta
Brinta Porridge Oats are a hot oat option, but the information for this specific product needs extra attention if you have coeliac disease.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists oat flakes as an ingredient.
- For Brinta Porridge Oats, Albert Heijn warns that the product may contain traces of wheat and rye. Don’t choose it based on its oat or fibre claims alone.
Breakfast cereal examples
This curated selection brings together product examples based on their stated gluten-free and high-fibre positioning, as well as the type of breakfast cereal. It isn’t a ranking of nutritional value or an independent product test; compare the current packaging before choosing.
| Position | Product | Features | Why consider it? | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AH Gluten-Free High-Fibre Bran Flakes | Bran flakes; the product name states gluten-free and high-fibre. | Albert Heijn lists these flakes in the AH Gluten-Free range. Check the nutritional values and allergens on the current packaging. | Albert Heijn |
| 2 | AH Gluten-Free High-Fibre Oat Pops | Oat pops; the product name states gluten-free and high-fibre. | Albert Heijn lists these oat pops in the AH Gluten-Free range. Check the current gluten-free claim, particularly as the product contains oats. | Albert Heijn |
| 3 | Eat Natural Gluten-Free Buckwheat Muesli, 500 g | Buckwheat muesli; according to Joybuy, 7,8 g of fibre per 100 g. | Joybuy also lists 15,3 g of sugars per 100 g and several allergens for this muesli. Compare the current nutritional and allergen information. | Joybuy |
Granola options on Joybuy
These products are granola in two pack sizes. Compare them as granola, not as flakes or muesli, and check the gluten-free claim and allergens on the current packaging before eating them if you have coeliac disease.
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Holie's Granola Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate, 330 g
A single pack of granola for anyone looking to compare this type of breakfast cereal. The product name states Glutenfree and the Peanut Chocolate flavour; check the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
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Holie's Granola Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate, 6 × 330 g
A six-pack of 330 g packs for anyone looking for the same granola in a multipack. The product name states Glutenfree and the Peanut Chocolate flavour; as with the single pack, check the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘high-fibre’ enough to choose breakfast cereal if you have coeliac disease?
No. ‘High-fibre’ describes the fibre content, not whether a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet. Check the current packaging separately for the gluten-free claim, ingredients and any warnings about cross-contamination.
Can I choose breakfast cereals containing oats if I have coeliac disease?
Only consider an oat product whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that oats can become contaminated with cereals containing gluten, and that not everyone with coeliac disease tolerates pure oats.
What does ‘high-fibre’ mean on packaging?
Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘high-fibre’ claim may be used when a product contains at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g or 3 g of fibre per 100 kcal. If you’re comparing different breakfast cereals, also check the nutritional information per serving.
Is Brinta Porridge Oats an obvious choice if you have coeliac disease?
No, not based on the information for this specific product. Albert Heijn warns that Brinta Porridge Oats may contain traces of wheat and rye; an oat base is no substitute for an explicit gluten-free claim.