Choose granola labelled ‘no added sugars’ if you want to avoid added sugar; this doesn’t mean the granola is sugar-free. Under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. For your weekend breakfast, also compare the fibre, protein, energy, fat and allergens in the specific variety.
You’re looking for granola for weekend breakfasts with no added sugars, and want to know how much sugar it still contains per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean a product contains no sugars.
You might eat granola with yoghurt, quark or a plant-based alternative, and compare sugars, energy and ingredients per 100 g as well as fibre.
You prioritise carbohydrates or protein and also want to check the energy and fat values. Recipes containing nuts and seeds also call for a careful look at the allergen list.
Start by understanding the difference between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’. Then compare the nutritional values per 100 g, so different pack sizes and serving sizes don’t skew your choice.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugars or sugar-free | Read the exact wording and check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The EU ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | I want to avoid added sugar, but don’t want to confuse this with a product that contains no sugars; around 36% of consumers prioritise this distinction. |
| Fibre and nutritional value | Compare fibre, sugars, energy and fat on the same 100 g basis. | When I have granola for breakfast, I want to look beyond the wording on the front of the pack. This broader comparison matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Carbohydrates or protein | Check carbohydrates and protein per 100 g, along with energy and fat values. | If carbohydrates or protein are my main criteria, I don’t want to overlook the rest of the nutritional information; around 21% of consumers prioritise these nutrients. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warning for the variety you’ve chosen. | I need to be able to judge whether this particular pack is suitable for my allergies. This check is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
These are different claims. The no-added-sugar granolas from Albert Heijn and Jumbo included in this comparison contain 1.6 to 4.0 g of sugars per 100 g; the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim is 0.5 g per 100 g.
Choose based on the exact claim that suits your needs, and also check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutritional information.
Granolas with similar sugar levels can differ in fibre, energy and fat. For example, Jumbo lists 490 kcal and 33 g of fat per 100 g for Holie’s Granola Low Carb.
Compare the values per 100 g, then consider how much you actually use.
Nuts, peanuts, soya and gluten-containing cereals are found in the recipes reviewed. Ingredients and warnings can vary between varieties.
Check the allergen declaration and any warning about possible traces on the pack you’re buying.
These examples cover specific granola products; their nutritional values and ingredients don’t necessarily apply to other varieties from the same brand.
AH Granola nuts 0% added sugar is an own-brand option for anyone looking to avoid added sugar.
The Zero Sugar Added Naturel and Nuts & Seeds varieties are granolas that, according to the product information listed by Jumbo, are made without added sugars or sweeteners.
Jumbo Granola Protein with no added sugars is worth considering if protein is your main point of comparison.
Holie’s Granola Low Carb is a granola to compare based on carbohydrates per 100 g.
Zonnatura Granola classic crunchy high fibre is a no-added-sugar variety to compare for its sugar and fibre content.
These product picks focus on granola for a weekend breakfast where added sugars are a consideration. The names of the Choco and Strawberry & Peach varieties don’t tell you how much sugar they contain per 100 g; check the packaging for that information.
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A natural variety for anyone looking for granola with no added sugars. According to the Joybuy product description, this variety contains naturally occurring sugars; check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the pack if you want to assess the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
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A nuts-and-seeds variety for anyone looking for these ingredients at breakfast. Before buying, check the sugar content per 100 g and the allergens listed for this specific pack.
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A variety to consider if carbohydrates are an important point of comparison. Joybuy’s product information lists 3.2 g of sugars, 16 g of fibre and 22 g of protein per 100 g. Also compare energy, fat and allergens on the packaging; its sugar content is above the EU limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
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A chocolate variety to consider if you’d like this flavour for weekend breakfast. Check the current ingredients and sugar content per 100 g on the pack; don’t assume that ‘Zero Sugar’ in the product name means this variety meets the EU limit for ‘sugar-free’.
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A variety to consider if you’re looking for strawberry and peach in your granola. Check the current ingredients, allergens and sugars per 100 g on the pack; ‘Zero Sugar Added’ in the name doesn’t automatically mean ‘sugar-free’.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product with no added sugars can still contain naturally occurring sugars. Under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, so don’t treat the two claims as interchangeable.
No, not according to the sugar values listed for these specific varieties. Albert Heijn lists 1.6 g of sugars per 100 g for Zonnatura Granola classic crunchy high fibre and 1.9 g for AH Granola nuts 0% added sugar. Jumbo lists 3.2 g for Quaker Naturel and Holie’s Low Carb, and 4.0 g for Jumbo Granola Protein. All these values are above the EU limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
Start by comparing the nutritional information per 100 g, so different serving sizes are measured on the same basis. Check sugars, fibre, protein, energy and fat, then decide how much granola to add to your breakfast.
Check the allergen declaration and any ‘may contain’ warning on the packaging for the specific variety. The recipes discussed have different ingredients, so the nutritional information or allergen list for another flavour is no substitute.
Store granola in a cool, dry place and seal the pack well after use, as advised in the product information reviewed from Albert Heijn and Jumbo. Follow any more specific instructions on your pack.
