If you want strictly sugar-free breakfast cereal, check that the nutrition table lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ does not mean the same thing. For a busy morning, you can choose between ready-to-eat crunchy muesli and porridge oats that you prepare first. For both, check the sugars per 100 g and the ingredients of the specific variety.
You want to meet the EU threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, breakfast cereal can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; the words ‘no added sugars’ alone are not enough.
You’re looking for muesli or crunchy granola you can eat straight away, and your main priority is avoiding added sugars. You’ll still want to compare total sugars and check the allergens in the variety you choose.
You have time for a quick preparation on a working day. Compare the nutritional value of the dry oats, and assess milk, fruit and other toppings separately.
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a firm requirement or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugars. Then compare similar dry breakfast cereals per 100 g and choose a type that suits your morning routine.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If ‘sugar-free’ is a firm requirement for me, I don’t want to rely on the front of the pack. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this strict threshold. |
| Crunchy cereal with no added sugars | Check the ingredients, total sugars per 100 g and allergens in the variety; naturally occurring sugars may be present. | On a busy morning, I want crunchy muesli I can eat straight away, even if it isn’t strictly sugar-free. For around 30% of consumers, this combination of convenience and no added sugars matters most. |
| Warm oats and fibre | Check the fibre and sugars in the dry product per 100 g, as well as the preparation instructions. Assess any additions to your bowl separately. | I prefer warm porridge and have time to prepare it; the fibre content helps me compare products. For around 30% of consumers, a warm breakfast is their first choice. |
No added sugars doesn’t mean a product contains no naturally occurring sugars. According to the product information, the Quaker varieties with strawberry and peach, and with nuts and seeds, contain 4.4 g and 3.8 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.
If strictly sugar-free is a must, check that ‘of which sugars’ on the pack is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.
Serving sizes can vary. So if you only look at the values per serving, you may not be comparing the same amount of breakfast cereal.
Compare similar products per 100 g first, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Then use the serving size to assess your own bowl.
A flavour name doesn’t tell you which grains or nuts a variety contains. This is especially important if you need to avoid certain ingredients due to an allergy.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack, even if you’ve already checked another flavour from the same range.
Crunchy muesli for a no-prep breakfast; the range reviewed includes varieties with no added sugars or sweeteners.
Porridge oats and cereal porridge for anyone who wants a warm breakfast in the morning.
Breakfast cereal made with wheat bran, for anyone who uses fibre as a point of comparison.
A brand with a range of breakfast cereals; Nestlé says wholegrain is a key ingredient across its range.
A retailer with product pages for its own-brand and branded breakfast cereals, which you can use as a guide when comparing products.
These Quaker Cruesli varieties are options if you’re looking for a crunchy breakfast with no added sugars on a working day. The words ‘Zero Sugar’ in a product name don’t confirm that the variety meets the ‘sugar-free’ threshold; check the current nutrition table per 100 g to find out.
No image available
A crunchy option for a no-prep breakfast. If you want to choose a strictly sugar-free product, check the sugars per 100 g on the pack; if you have allergies, also check the information for milk, cereals and nuts.
No image available
A crunchy strawberry and peach variety for anyone who doesn’t want a hot breakfast. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety contains 4.4 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t strictly sugar-free; check the current allergen information too.
No image available
A crunchy apple, pecan and cinnamon variety for a no-prep breakfast. If you’re looking for strictly sugar-free cereal, check the sugars per 100 g, and if you have a nut allergy, read the current allergen information.
No image available
A crunchy nut variety for anyone who wants ready-to-eat muesli. The product information lists naturally occurring sugars; check the value per 100 g before calling it sugar-free, and check the allergen information if you have a nut allergy.
No image available
A crunchy option for a no-prep breakfast. The product information lists 3.8 g of sugars per 100 g, so despite its name, this variety isn’t strictly sugar-free. Check the current allergen information for cereals, milk and nuts.
No, not automatically: naturally occurring sugars are included in ‘of which sugars’. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim for breakfast cereal allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare similar products per 100 g first, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Then consider your actual serving, as well as the ingredients and allergens in the variety you’ve chosen.
No. Joybuy’s product information lists 0.8 g of sugars per 100 g, which is above the EU limit of 0.5 g per 100 g. The ingredients list states 100% oat flakes.
A variety from this range may suit you if you’re looking for crunchy muesli with no added sugars and are happy to have naturally occurring sugars. Check the nutritional values and allergens for the specific variety: based on their stated sugar content, the strawberry and peach variety and Nuts & Seeds do not meet the ‘sugar-free’ threshold.
Yes. The nutrition table for dry breakfast cereal doesn’t automatically reflect the bowl you eat. Check milk, yoghurt, fruit and other additions separately if you want to assess the sugars in your whole breakfast.
