For a toddler’s breakfast, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholegrain muesli with no added sugar or salt. Also check the ingredients and allergen information: no added sugar does not mean sugar-free, and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against whole nuts and peanuts for children under 4 because of the risk of choking. Whether a crunchy variety is suitable also depends on its texture and what your child can eat safely.
You’re looking for muesli with a texture your toddler can manage, and want to know which allergens are listed on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against whole nuts and peanuts for children under 4 because of the risk of choking.
You want to know the difference between sugar-free and no added sugar. The nutritional information and ingredients matter too: a product with no added sugar can contain naturally occurring sugars, while a product carrying a sugar claim may contain sweeteners.
You’re looking for a different breakfast for days when you don’t serve bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests wholegrain muesli with no added sugar or salt as a breakfast alternative, and advises serving two slices of bread at another time during the day.
Start with the texture and allergens that matter for your child. Then compare the exact sugar claim and consider whether the muesli fits into the rest of the day’s meals.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and allergens | Check for whole nuts or peanuts, the allergen information and any warnings about possible traces of allergens. Consider whether the texture is right for your child. | If my toddler is eating the muesli or taking it to nursery, I want to know first whether the texture is suitable and which allergens it may contain. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Sugar claim and ingredients | Compare the claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information per 100 g, and check the ingredients list for dried fruit and any sweeteners. | I’m looking for a product with no added sugar, but I don’t want to assume that this means it is sugar-free or contains no sweeteners. For around 33% of consumers, this is the most important distinction. |
| Wholegrain and daily meals | Check which wholegrains are listed in the ingredients and look for added sugar and salt. | If muesli is an alternative to bread at breakfast, I also want to consider what my child will eat later that day. This fit with the rest of the day’s meals is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
These are different claims. Muesli with no added sugar can still contain sugars that occur naturally in ingredients such as raisins.
Check the exact claim and compare it with the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information and the ingredients list.
A sugar claim tells you nothing about the texture. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against whole nuts and peanuts for children under 4 because of the risk of choking.
Check which nuts the product contains and what form they’re in. Don’t choose muesli containing whole nuts or peanuts as a regular breakfast for a toddler.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Krokante muesli noten 0% suiker contains maltitol. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
If you want to avoid sweeteners, check the ingredients list of the variety you’re buying.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests muesli as an alternative to bread at breakfast, advising that the child has two slices of bread at another time.
So consider your breakfast choice alongside what else your child eats that day.
These product ranges include plain wholegrain muesli, crunchy varieties and nut varieties, each with different features to consider for a toddler’s breakfast. Always check the packaging for the specific product.
AH offers both a plain wholegrain muesli and a crunchy nut variety with a sugar claim.
The Cruesli Zero Sugar Added range includes a Naturel variety and a separate nut variety.
Jumbo’s range includes a crunchy muesli with cocoa and hazelnut pieces.
This Choco variety of Quaker Cruesli is one product to consider alongside the points to bear in mind when choosing a toddler’s breakfast. Before buying, check the current packaging for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens, and assess the texture before serving.
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For a toddler’s breakfast, this Choco variety is only an option if the ingredients, allergens and texture are right for your child.
Pack size: 400 g. Check the sugar claim against the nutritional information and ingredients on the current packaging.
No. They are different sugar claims: a product with no added sugar can contain sugars that occur naturally in its ingredients. So compare the claim with the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information per 100 g, and read the ingredients list.
Pay particular attention to the form of the nuts: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against whole nuts and peanuts for children under 4 because of the risk of choking. Also check the allergen information and consider whether the texture is suitable for your child.
Yes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests wholegrain muesli with no added sugar or salt as a breakfast alternative. It advises serving the child two slices of bread at another time during the day.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information, and ask about the rules at the school or nursery. According to the European Union, allergens must be clearly highlighted in the ingredients list; the label won’t tell you which products are permitted at a particular location.
