If you mean literally sugar-free, only choose chocolate breakfast cereals if the nutritional information shows no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g: this is the threshold for the claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. According to their product information, the Albert Heijn and Quaker chocolate varieties reviewed contain 0.6 g and 3.4 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. So they are not strictly sugar-free, even though they are positioned as varieties with no added sugars. Also check the ingredients, allergens and the portion you eat.
You want to check the claim against the nutritional information rather than relying on wording such as ‘zero sugar’ on the front of the pack. For dry breakfast cereals, the threshold for the European ‘sugar-free’ claim is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
You’re happy with naturally occurring sugars, but want to know whether sugar or sweeteners have been added to your chocolate cereal. In that case, both the ingredients list and the sugar content matter.
You eat these cereals regularly during the week, so you look beyond sugars to fibre, the portion you have and allergens such as milk, wheat or nuts. Check the label on the pack you buy for this information.
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a must-have or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugar. After that, differences in sweeteners, fibre and preparation can help you choose the right cereal for weekday breakfasts.
When: if only cereals with no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g meet your requirements.
Consider: ‘no added sugars’ isn’t enough; naturally occurring sugars count too.
When: if you’re happy with naturally occurring sugars and mainly want to avoid added sugars.
Consider: check separately whether the product contains sweeteners; its sugar content may still be above the ‘sugar-free’ threshold.
| What to consider | What to check | Especially relevant if |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars per 100 g | Check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information. Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. | ‘Sugar-free’ is a must-have for me, so I don’t want to rely on wording on the front of the pack. Around 36% of consumers put this strict sugar threshold first. |
| Additives | Check the ingredients list for added sugars and sweeteners, including polyols such as maltitol. | I’m happy with naturally occurring sugars, but want to know what has been added. For around 29% of consumers, the choice of ingredients matters most. |
| Fibre and portion size | Compare fibre on the same basis, for example per 100 g, then consider how much you actually put in your bowl. | For a breakfast I eat regularly, I want to compare the fibre content of my portion as well as my sugar choice. This is the first additional consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens and preparation | Check the allergen declaration, any warnings about possible traces, and the portion and preparation information on the current pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or have little time in the morning, the product also needs to work for my breakfast routine. Around 14% of consumers say these requirements come first. |
According to Albert Heijn, AH Krokante muesli chocolade 0% suiker contains 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g; Jumbo lists 3.4 g per 100 g for Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Chocolade. Both figures are above the European threshold of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
If you have a strict requirement, let the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g guide your choice, not just the claim on the front of the pack.
Albert Heijn also lists maltitol and 23 g of polyols per 100 g in its crunchy chocolate muesli. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
If you want to avoid polyols, check the ingredients and warnings on the pack as well as the nutritional information.
The fibre content doesn’t tell you whether a cereal meets your sugar requirements. Jumbo lists both 21 g of fibre and 3.4 g of sugars per 100 g for Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Chocolade.
Check your sugar criteria first, then compare fibre on the same basis and for the portion you eat.
Depending on the chocolate variety, ingredients such as cereals, milk or nuts may be relevant; ingredients and warnings vary by product.
Check the allergen declaration on the current packaging every time you buy, even if you’ve bought the product before.
The Zero Sugar Added chocolate variety is worth considering if you want to avoid added sugars and sweeteners, but are happy with naturally occurring sugars.
AH Krokante muesli chocolade 0% suiker is a supermarket own-brand option to compare if you’re looking for a low sugar content and are also mindful of sweeteners.
Coco Pops Chocos is a chocolate breakfast cereal to assess for its taste and ingredients, not an example of a sugar-free variety.
KitKat Cereals is a chocolate breakfast cereal for anyone who wants to weigh up the ingredients and nutritional information without requiring it to be sugar-free.
These chocolate breakfast cereals are worth considering if you’re looking at varieties with no added sugars and are happy with naturally occurring sugars. Don’t use them as a substitute for a product that must meet strict sugar-free requirements; check the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you buy.
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A chocolate breakfast cereal to consider if you want to avoid added sugars but are happy with naturally occurring sugars. Its stated sugar content means it isn’t suitable if you have a strict sugar-free requirement; compare the current label per 100 g.
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This chocolate muesli may suit you if you’re mainly keeping an eye on added sugars. Its stated sugar content means it doesn’t meet strict sugar-free requirements; check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack before adding it to your breakfast.
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A variety to consider if you want to avoid added sugars and sweeteners but are happy with naturally occurring sugars. Its stated sugar content is above the ‘sugar-free’ threshold; also check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, or per 100 ml for drinks. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t rule out naturally occurring sugars. So, when choosing chocolate breakfast cereals, check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
No, not according to the European threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim: Albert Heijn lists 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety, while the maximum is 0.5 g per 100 g. The wording about added sugar on the packaging answers a different question.
Because a product can contain polyols as well as having a low sugar content. Albert Heijn lists maltitol and 23 g of polyols per 100 g in its crunchy chocolate muesli; the packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. So check the ingredients and warnings if you’re considering this variety.
First compare the sugars per 100 g against your own requirements, then compare fibre on the same basis. Next, work out what portion you’ll have and what you’ll add, such as milk or yoghurt. Check the ingredients and allergens on both packs separately.
