Parents looking for a simple wholegrain option
You want to add your own fruit or dairy and are looking for breakfast cereal that follows the Netherlands Nutrition Centre's advice for children aged 1 to 3: wholegrain, with no added sugar or salt.
Who is this choice important for?
Parents of a fussy breakfast eater
Your child eats little in the morning or prefers a particular texture. You’re looking for an alternative to bread while also considering what your child eats for the rest of the day.
Parents who need to check pieces and allergens
You consider your child's ability to chew and check the packaging before buying for cereals containing gluten, other relevant allergens and any whole nuts or hard pieces.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the grains and ingredients, then consider the texture and how breakfast fits into the rest of the day. Fibre content alone won’t tell you whether a muesli is right for your toddler.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Especially relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and ingredients | Check which grains are used and compare fibre per 100 g. Check added sugar and salt separately. | I want to choose a wholegrain cereal without relying solely on the words ‘high fibre’. An estimated 46% of consumers consider the ingredients the most important factor. |
| Pieces and allergens | Read the latest allergen information and check whether the mix contains whole nuts or other pieces that are difficult to chew. | If my child needs to avoid certain allergens or isn’t yet able to chew hard pieces properly, that determines which mixes I can consider. For around 36% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Texture and daily routine | Consider which textures your child will accept and how breakfast fits with what they eat later in the day. | If bread is difficult in the morning, I’m looking for a breakfast my child will eat without losing sight of the rest of the day. This practical consideration is the deciding factor for an estimated 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Judging by the front of the pack alone
A fibre claim or product name doesn’t tell you which grains and allergens a product contains. For example, the Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Naturel product reviewed here lists oats and wheat, and may contain milk and nuts, according to Albert Heijn.
Read the ingredients, nutrition information and allergen statement on the pack you’re buying.
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Assuming a nut mix is suitable for every toddler
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that young children can choke on whole nuts. Your child’s ability to chew also matters when it comes to other hard pieces.
Check the pieces before serving. If in doubt, avoid mixes with whole nuts and stay with your child while they eat.
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Thinking of muesli as a complete replacement for bread
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests muesli as an alternative at breakfast, but advises offering two more slices of bread at another time during the day if bread is replaced in the morning.
So, consider breakfast alongside your child’s other meals and snacks.
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Relying on an allergen list you read earlier
Ingredients and allergen information can vary between products and packs. This is particularly important if you need to check for gluten, milk, nuts, sesame or soya.
Always check the label on the pack you’re actually using.
Brands to consider
These examples show why you shouldn’t compare regular muesli, crunchy muesli and hot cereal breakfasts as if they were the same product.
Albert Heijn
AH Biologisch Muesli volkoren is an example of regular muesli made with wholegrain oat, wheat and spelt flakes.
- Albert Heijn lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety, with 0 g of added sugar and salt per 100 g.
- The grains contain gluten; also check the stated possibility of milk, sesame, soya and nuts.
Quaker Cruesli
The Zero Sugar Added Naturel variety reviewed here is a crunchy muesli for anyone specifically looking for that texture.
- Albert Heijn lists 11 g of fibre per 45 g serving for this variety; don’t compare this directly with a value per 100 g.
- This variety contains oats and wheat and may contain milk and nuts. Also consider whether the crunchy texture is suitable for your child.
Brinta
Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt is an alternative to muesli if you’re looking for a different breakfast texture.
- The ingredients listed by Jumbo for the variety reviewed here are wholemeal wheat flour and salt.
- It isn’t muesli and contains wheat and salt. Bear this in mind alongside the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice to choose breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt for toddlers.
Jumbo
The range includes plain muesli as well as varieties with fruit or nuts.
- The different recipes give you the chance to compare textures and grain bases.
- Check the nutrition information and allergens for each individual variety on the pack.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
ALDI’s Golden Bridge range includes wholegrain and crunchy muesli, as well as a wholegrain cereal breakfast.
- The range includes both muesli and another type of cereal breakfast.
- Before choosing a variety for a toddler, check its ingredients, nutrition information, allergens and texture on the pack.
Muesli and a warm alternative on Joybuy
This selection includes crunchy Quaker Cruesli varieties and Quaker Oatmeal as an alternative for anyone considering a warm cereal breakfast instead of muesli. Before giving any variety to your toddler, check the latest packaging and the texture of the pieces.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Apple, Pecan and Cinnamon, 400 g
A crunchy muesli to consider if your child can manage this texture. The variety name mentions apple and pecan; check the pack for the size and shape of the nut pieces and for any relevant allergens.
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Quaker Zs Cruesli Natural, 400 g
A plain variety for anyone looking for crunchy muesli without fruit or nuts in the product name. Check the ingredients, allergens and texture on the latest packaging to make sure the pieces are easy to chew.
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Quaker Oatmeal, 600 g
An alternative if you’d prefer a warm cereal breakfast to muesli. This is porridge oats, not muesli; check the pack for ingredients, nutrition information and allergens.
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Quaker Cruesli Nuts Zero Sugar, 400 g
This crunchy muesli needs extra care because of the nut pieces. Joybuy lists almonds and hazelnuts in this variety; check the pieces before serving and read the latest allergen information.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Strawberry & Peach, 400 g
A crunchy fruit variety for anyone looking to assess the texture of the pieces. Check the pack to see whether the pieces are suitable for your child’s ability to chew, and compare the fibre content per 100 g with other products.
Frequently asked questions
Can muesli replace bread at my toddler’s breakfast?
Yes. As an alternative, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholegrain muesli with no added sugar or salt for children aged 1 to 3. If you use it to replace bread at breakfast, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises offering two more slices of bread at another time during the day.
How do I compare the fibre in regular and crunchy muesli?
Compare fibre on the same basis, for example per 100 g, and also read the ingredients and other nutrition information. You can’t compare a per-serving value directly with a per-100 g value without taking the serving size into account.
What should I look for in muesli with nuts or hard pieces?
Check which pieces the mix contains and whether your child can chew them. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that young children can choke on whole nuts. If in doubt, avoid mixes with whole nuts and stay nearby while your child eats.
How do I check for gluten and other allergens?
For pre-packed muesli, read the latest ingredients list and allergen statement rather than relying on the product name alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that for cereals containing gluten, the name of the grain must be stated. If your child has a specific allergy, also check the other relevant information on the pack.