If fibre is your priority
You want a sweet breakfast, but choose your muesli mainly for its fibre content per 100 g and the grains listed in the ingredients, not just the flavour description.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you like a crunchy breakfast
You’re looking for the texture of crunchy muesli or granola, while still wanting to compare total sugars, ingredients and portion size.
If you need to avoid gluten
You need a product that’s explicitly labelled gluten-free. A description such as wholegrain or high-fibre doesn’t replace this check; other allergens and warnings on the packaging are important too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with any essential requirements, such as gluten-free. Then compare fibre and sugars on the same basis, and only then choose the flavour and pack size that suit your breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and grains | Compare fibre per 100 g and check which grains are listed as wholegrain in the ingredients. | I want a sweet breakfast, but the stated fibre content determines my choice. For around 40% of consumers, this need comes first. |
| Sugars and flavour | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and look for ingredients such as dried fruit and syrup. | I like a fruity or crunchy flavour, as long as I can take the total sugars into account. Around 30% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Gluten and allergens | Check for an explicit gluten-free label if needed, as well as the latest allergen information and warnings on the packaging. | If I need to avoid gluten or another allergen, whether the specific variety is suitable matters more than its flavour or fibre content. For around 20% of consumers, this is the first thing they consider. |
| Packaging and availability | Check the pack size and whether the variety you’ve chosen is available through your preferred retailer. | I want to be able to buy the same muesli regularly in a pack size that suits how I use it. For around 10% of consumers, this practical consideration matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming high fibre means low sugar
Fibre content doesn’t tell you how much sugar a muesli contains. For Muesli Fruit, Jumbo lists both 10.0 g of fibre and 19.4 g of sugars per 100 g.
When comparing products, look at both figures in the nutrition table, then check which ingredients provide the flavour you’re looking for.
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Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
A product with no added sugar may still contain sugars, for example from dried fruit. So the claim alone doesn’t tell you how much total sugar it contains.
Also check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and the ingredients list for the specific variety.
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Assuming wholegrain muesli is gluten-free
A description such as wholegrain or high-fibre says nothing about whether a product is gluten-free. The regular muesli varieties from Albert Heijn and Jumbo described here contain gluten-containing grains.
If you need to avoid gluten, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the allergen information on the packaging.
Brands to consider
The differences below apply to the specific product ranges and varieties mentioned, not necessarily to every muesli from each brand.
Albert Heijn (AH eigen merk)
Albert Heijn offers, among other options, a plain wholegrain muesli and a separate gluten-free muesli.
- Albert Heijn lists 9.5 g of fibre per 100 g for AH Volkoren muesli naturel.
- According to the product information, the gluten-free AH variety contains soya and oats, and may contain nuts. Check the allergens for each variety.
Jumbo (eigen merk)
The range includes fruit muesli and plain muesli, including 1 kg packs.
- Jumbo lists 10.0 g of fibre per 100 g for Muesli Fruit.
- The same fruit variety lists 19.4 g of sugars per 100 g and contains gluten. Check the warnings for other allergens too.
Quaker Cruesli
Quaker offers crunchy Cruesli and granola varieties, including products called Zero Sugar Added.
- According to Quaker’s nutritional information, Granola Zero Sugar Added Naturel contains 22 g of fibre and 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g.
- These figures apply to the granola named here, not every Cruesli variety. If you choose another flavour, check its nutritional information and allergens again.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
ALDI lists wholegrain muesli under the Golden Bridge brand, including varieties with ingredients such as nuts or fruit, seeds and kernels.
- The wholegrain muesli is worth considering if you want to compare grains and added ingredients across varieties.
- Check the fibre, sugars and allergens on the pack you choose; these can vary between varieties.
Crownfield (Lidl)
Lidl’s Crownfield range includes crunchy and fruity muesli.
- The plain crunchy muesli described here comes in a 1 kg pack and contains raisins.
- Check the nutritional information for the variety you want and its availability through your preferred retailer.
Crunchy muesli and granola for this breakfast
These crunchy Cruesli and granola varieties are for anyone who wants to consider texture and flavour when choosing a sweet breakfast. Check the exact pack for fibre, total sugars and allergens; granola is a different product category from regular muesli.
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Quaker Zs Cruesli Raisin & Hazelnut, 400 g
A good fit if you prefer crunchy muesli with raisins and hazelnuts.
Pack size: 400 g. Compare fibre and total sugars on the packaging, and check the allergen information if you need to avoid nuts or certain grains.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Apple, Pecan and Cinnamon, 400 g
The combination of apple, pecans and cinnamon is for anyone looking for a fruity, crunchy flavour.
Pack size: 400 g. Alongside the product name, check the total sugars per 100 g and the allergen information if you have a nut allergy.
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Holie's Granola Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate, 330 g
This granola suits anyone who prefers chocolate and peanut flavour to fruity crunchy muesli.
Pack size: 330 g. If gluten-free is essential for you, check the label on the current packaging. Also read the allergen information, including details about peanuts.
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Quaker Zs Cruesli Natural, 400 g
Plain crunchy muesli is a good choice if you want to decide what flavour to add to your breakfast yourself, for example with fruit.
Pack size: 400 g. Compare fibre and total sugars per 100 g, and read the allergen information for this plain variety.
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Quaker Cruesli Nuts Zero Sugar, 400 g
A good fit if you’re looking for crunchy muesli with a nutty flavour.
Pack size: 400 g. The product name is no substitute for checking ‘of which sugars’ on the label; if you have a nut allergy, check the full allergen information too.
Frequently asked questions
How can I choose muesli for its fibre content without relying on the front of the pack?
Compare the fibre content per 100 g in the nutrition table, then check which grains appear in the ingredients list. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies wholegrain cereal products as a relevant source of fibre; when comparing muesli, also take the sugars and your usual portion size into account.
Does ‘no added sugar’ also mean low in total sugars?
No. The claim doesn’t tell you how much total sugar the product contains. Sugars may come from dried fruit, for example. So check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and read the ingredients for the specific variety.
Can I choose regular wholegrain muesli if I need to avoid gluten?
If you need to avoid gluten, don’t choose regular wholegrain muesli based on its wholegrain or fibre claim. Look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and also check the current packaging for other allergens and any warnings.
Is online nutritional information enough to help me choose muesli?
Online nutritional information is useful for comparing varieties in advance, but check the packaging before using the product. Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can vary between varieties or change if the recipe is updated.