If you’re looking for strictly sugar-free options
For you, ‘no added sugars’ isn’t enough. You want the nutrition information to show that the flakes are below the limit for ‘sugar-free’.
Who is this distinction important for?
If you avoid added sugars
You’re happy for flakes to contain naturally occurring sugars, but want to know whether sugar has been added and whether the product contains sweeteners.
If you’re choosing for a group of brunch guests
As well as the sugar content, compare the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values, so guests can decide which bowl or topping suits their preferences.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a must-have, or whether your main aim is to avoid added sugars. Then check the label of the variety you plan to serve, especially if you’re catering for different guests.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. | If I really want to serve sugar-free flakes, the total sugar content is the deciding factor for me. Around 45% of consumers make this strict requirement their priority. |
| No added sugars | Compare the claim with the ingredients list and check whether sweeteners have been used. | I care more about whether sugars have been added, and want to decide for myself whether sweeteners are right for brunch. This consideration matters most to around 27% of consumers. |
| Shared brunch table | Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and read the current ingredients and allergen information. | When several guests are eating at the same table, I want to look beyond the sugar claim alone. Around 18% of consumers make this broader label check their priority. |
| Availability | Check in good time which variety you can get, and make sure it meets your chosen sugar criteria before buying. | When I’m shopping shortly before Easter brunch, I want to be able to find a suitable option without compromising on my sugar criteria. For around 10% of consumers, this is the first practical consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘no added sugars’ to mean ‘sugar-free’
Flakes with no added sugars can still contain sugars. That doesn’t automatically mean they meet the stricter limit for ‘sugar-free’.
If you need a strictly sugar-free option, check that ‘of which sugars’ is no more than 0.5 g per 100 g in the nutrition information; this is the limit set by the Voedingscentrum.
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Going by the product name alone
A name such as ‘unsweetened’ doesn’t tell you how much total sugar the flakes contain per 100 g. Ingredients and nutritional values can also change.
Read the nutrition information, ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’re actually buying; Albert Heijn also points out that product information may change.
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Overlooking sweeteners
A product with no added sugars may contain sweeteners. For example, Jumbo describes Jumbo Special Flakes as flakes with sweetener and no added sugars.
Check the ingredients list if you want to take guests’ taste or ingredient preferences into account at Easter brunch.
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Serving regular cornflakes as sugar-free
Kellogg's Nederland lists 8.0 g of sugars per 100 g for Corn Flakes. That’s above the limit for ‘sugar-free’ set by the Voedingscentrum.
Choose regular cornflakes only if they meet the sugar criteria you’ve chosen for brunch; don’t assume that the name ‘cornflakes’ means no added sugars.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes Special Flakes, as well as other cornflakes and flake cereals.
- Jumbo describes Special Flakes as wholegrain wheat and rice flakes with sweetener and no added sugars.
- That description doesn’t automatically make the product strictly sugar-free. To check, look at ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g.
Kellogg's
Kellogg's Nederland lists both Corn Flakes and the multigrain flakes Special K Original.
- The stated sugar levels make it easy to compare each product with your own sugar criteria.
- According to Kellogg's Nederland, Corn Flakes contain 8.0 g and Special K Original 15 g of sugars per 100 g. Neither meets the ‘sugar-free’ limit set by the Voedingscentrum.
Smaakt Bio
Smaakt Bio Cornflakes Ongezoet is a cornflake variety listed in Jumbo’s range.
- ‘Unsweetened’ may be a reason to take a closer look at the ingredients and nutrition information.
- Don’t take the product name as proof that it’s strictly sugar-free; the total sugar content per 100 g is what matters.
Lidl
Lidl Nederland lists 500 g packs of cornflakes in its product range.
- This is a cornflake option to compare by checking the label when shopping for brunch.
- Check the sugar content and ingredients on the pack before deciding whether these cornflakes meet your chosen sugar criteria.
Joybuy products for a wider choice
These Quaker Cruesli varieties are crunchy muesli mixes for anyone considering no-added-sugar options for Easter brunch. They aren’t regular cornflakes or a strictly sugar-free choice; check the total sugars and ingredients on the current packaging.
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Quaker Cruesli Choco Zero Sugar, 400 g
A chocolate-flavoured crunchy muesli bowl for Easter brunch if you’re looking for the wider choice of products with no added sugars.
Not a strictly sugar-free choice. Bear in mind that it contains milk and cereals containing gluten; the product may contain nuts. Check the current packaging if fibre content is also a factor in your choice.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Strawberry & Peach, 400 g
A fruit-flavoured option for a crunchy muesli bowl if your main aim for Easter brunch is to avoid added sugars.
Not a strictly sugar-free choice. The product information lists cereals containing gluten and wheat; it may also contain milk and nuts. Check the current packaging if you want to compare fibre content.
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Quaker Cruesli Nuts Zero Sugar, 400 g
A nutty option to serve as a crunchy muesli bowl if you’re choosing from the wider category of products with no added sugars.
Not a strictly sugar-free choice. This variety contains almonds, hazelnuts, wheat and oats, and may contain milk; read the current allergen information before serving it to guests.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Apple, Pecan and Cinnamon, 400 g
A variety with apple, pecans and cinnamon for anyone considering a crunchy muesli mix with no added sugars for Easter brunch.
Not a strictly sugar-free choice. This variety contains pecans, wheat and oats, and may contain milk and other nuts; check the current packaging if your guests avoid certain ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
When are flakes genuinely sugar-free?
According to the Voedingscentrum, the ‘sugar-free’ claim means a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. To check, look for ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition information per 100 g; a reference to added sugars doesn’t answer this question.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean there’s no sugar in the product?
No. Flakes can contain naturally occurring sugars even if no sugars have been added. Check the total sugars in the nutrition information if you want to know whether a product also meets stricter criteria.
How can I tell whether flakes contain sweeteners?
Read the ingredients list: the Voedingscentrum says that any sweetener present must be listed on the label. For example, Jumbo describes its Special Flakes as containing sweetener, despite stating ‘no added sugars’.
How should I store an opened box of flakes until Easter brunch?
Follow the storage and use-by information on the packaging, and seal the inner bag tightly after opening. This way, you can follow the guidance for the product you’ve bought and avoid leaving the flakes open unnecessarily.