Breakfast eater who reads sugar claims carefully
You want to avoid added sugars, so you also check the total sugars per 100 g and the ingredients list. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g.
Who is this relevant for?
Fan of a crunchy weekend bowl
You’re looking for granola or crunchy muesli to add to yoghurt or quark, with plenty of crunch but no added sugars and, ideally, no sweeteners. Quaker lists both of these features for the Zero Sugar Added varieties reviewed.
Shopper checking allergens or sweeteners
You look beyond the sugar claim because grains, nuts, possible cross-contamination or sweeteners may influence your choice. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for details.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check exactly what the sugar claim means and how much total sugar the product contains per 100 g. Then choose your preferred texture and check for any ingredients that might rule it out for you.
| What to look for | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and whether the claim refers to added or total sugars. | If I want to avoid added sugars, I don’t want to assume that a product making this claim contains no naturally occurring sugars either. Around 46% of consumers put this check first. |
| Wholegrain base and texture | Compare fibre per 100 g and decide whether you want flaked muesli or crunchy granola. Include fat and energy in your comparison too. | For a satisfying breakfast bowl, I want a wholegrain base and a texture that works with my yoghurt or quark. This choice matters most to around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergens and sweeteners | Check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about polyols. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know before choosing based on flavour or crunch. Around 18% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
Sugars from the ingredients are still included in the nutrition table. For example, Kellogg's lists 15 g of sugars per 100 g for W. K. Kellogg Crunchy Muesli Apricot and Pumpkin Seeds with no added sugar.
Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and read the ingredients list before relying on the claim on the front of the pack.
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Comparing fibre alone
Fibre doesn’t tell you how much fat or energy a product contains. Quaker lists 24 g of fibre, 21 g of fat and 433 kcal per 100 g for Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Nuts & Seeds.
Compare these figures side by side and consider how much muesli or granola you actually put in your bowl.
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Overlooking sweeteners
A product with 0 g of added sugars may contain sweeteners. Albert Heijn lists maltitols in AH Krokante Muesli Noten 0% suiker and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the ingredients and usage warnings. If you want to avoid sweeteners, look for a variety that is explicitly made without them.
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Assuming allergens from the product name
A product name doesn’t reveal all its ingredients or possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information every time you buy, even if it’s a variety you already know.
Relevant brands and product ranges
Quaker Cruesli
The Zero Sugar Added range reviewed includes varieties such as Naturel and Nuts & Seeds for anyone looking for crunchy granola.
- Quaker lists 3.2 g of sugars and 22 g of fibre per 100 g for Naturel, and 3.7 g of sugars and 24 g of fibre for Nuts & Seeds. According to Quaker, both varieties are made without added sugars or sweeteners.
- They still contain naturally occurring sugars. Check the grain, milk and nut information for each variety.
Kellogg's W. K. Kellogg
The Crunchy Muesli Apricot and Pumpkin Seeds reviewed is a fruit and seed variety with no added sugar.
- Kellogg's says this variety contains no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
- Kellogg's also lists 15 g of total sugars per 100 g. Compare this figure if the total amount of sugars matters to you.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand products reviewed range from wholegrain flaked muesli to crunchy nut muesli.
- Albert Heijn lists 0.7 g of sugars, 11 g of fibre and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Biologisch Muesli Volkoren.
- According to Albert Heijn, AH Krokante Muesli Noten 0% suiker contains maltitols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Brinta
Brinta Volkoren Graanontbijt is a hot breakfast cereal option rather than crunchy muesli or granola.
- The Joybuy product description says that Brinta Volkoren Graanontbijt is made from 100% wholegrain wheat.
- If you’re watching your sugar intake, compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the latest packaging. Check the allergen information too.
Granola for a crunchy breakfast
These Quaker Cruesli varieties are a good fit if you’re looking for a crunchy cereal base for your weekend breakfast bowl. Check the latest packaging if total sugars, sweeteners or allergens are key to your choice.
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Quaker Cruesli Nuts Zero Sugar, 400 g
A crunchy nut variety for anyone looking for that texture in their breakfast bowl. Joybuy describes this variety as made without added sugars or sweeteners, although it does contain sugars. Check the latest allergen information, especially the details about nuts.
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Quaker Cruesli Choco Zero Sugar, 400 g
A granola variety for anyone who fancies a chocolate flavour at the weekend breakfast table. Compare total sugars per 100 g using the latest nutrition table, and check the information about milk, cereals containing gluten and possible nuts.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Strawberry & Peach, 400 g
A crunchy variety with strawberry and peach for anyone who likes a fruity touch in their breakfast bowl. Joybuy says this variety is made without added sugars or sweeteners, but does contain naturally occurring sugars. If you have allergies, check the latest information about grains, milk and nuts.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Apple, Pecan and Cinnamon, 400 g
A crunchy variety with apple, pecan and cinnamon for anyone who likes that combination. Check the total sugars per 100 g on the latest packaging. As it contains pecan, read the ingredients and allergen information too.
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Quaker Zs Cruesli Natural, 400 g
A natural granola for anyone who likes to add their own flavours to a weekend breakfast bowl. To compare total sugars, check the per-100 g figure on the latest packaging. Also look for cereals containing gluten and possible milk and nut ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. A product with no added sugar may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Quaker lists 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g for Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Naturel, so always check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table.
Should I compare breakfast cereals per serving or per 100 g?
Compare different products per 100 g first, then consider how much you’ll use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g or 100 ml. This makes it easier to compare products with different serving sizes.
Can I choose a nut and seed variety if I need to avoid nuts?
Don’t rely on the product name or sugar claim alone: check the latest ingredients and allergen information. According to Quaker, the Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Nuts & Seeds variety reviewed contains hazelnuts and almonds, among other ingredients. You should also check for possible cross-contamination in other varieties.
What should I look for in granola with 0% added sugar and sweeteners?
Check which sweetener the product contains and read any usage warnings. Albert Heijn lists maltitols in AH Krokante Muesli Noten 0% suiker and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.