Which choice is right for you?

If you’re looking for strictly sugar-free

You want ‘sugar-free’ to mean exactly that. Under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, this means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ on its own isn’t enough.

If you want to avoid added sugar

You want to pair muesli quickly with yoghurt, milk, quark or a plant-based alternative. Naturally occurring sugars may be fine for you, but you still want to know how much sugar your chosen product contains.

If you check ingredients and allergens

As well as the sugar claim, ingredients such as nuts, cereals containing gluten or polyols can determine whether a particular muesli suits your needs. The information on the packaging is what matters.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for genuinely sugar-free muesli or mainly want to avoid added sugar. Then compare the ingredients and the portion you’ll actually eat on a busy morning.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should consider this?
Genuinely sugar-free Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g with the 0.5 g threshold in European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. A claim about added sugar doesn’t replace this check. I want genuinely sugar-free muesli for a quick breakfast, so I can’t rely on ‘no added sugars’. Around 45% of consumers put this strict sugar threshold first.
Ingredients and sweeteners Read the ingredients list and allergen information. If the product contains polyols, check the warning on the packaging too. If I’m avoiding added sugar, I want to decide for myself whether the ingredients and any sweeteners are suitable. Around 33% of consumers put this choice of ingredients first.
Portion and preparation Check the portion size and nutritional information per 100 g. Remember to include any yoghurt, milk, quark or plant-based alternative you add. On busy mornings, I want muesli that’s quick to pair with something else, and to know what’s in my usual portion. This practical combination comes first for around 22% of consumers.

Common pitfalls

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. Under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim is for products with no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

    If that threshold is important to you, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g rather than relying on the front of the pack.

  • Overlooking sweeteners and polyols

    Albert Heijn lists maltitols in AH Krokante muesli noten 0% suiker. The product packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and follow any usage warnings, even if the sugar claim suits your preferences.

  • Assuming the nutritional information for dry muesli applies to your whole breakfast

    The nutritional information for muesli doesn’t automatically describe the bowl you eat with yoghurt, milk, quark or a plant-based alternative.

    Decide on your usual combination and portion in advance, so you can assess each part of your breakfast on the same basis.

  • Taking ‘less sugar’ to mean ‘sugar-free’

    For Zonnatura Krokante muesli Naturel, Albert Heijn gives both a comparative claim about less sugar and a figure of 5.6 g of sugars per 100 g. This figure is above the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

    Don’t use a comparative claim as a substitute for checking the sugar content per 100 g.

Brands to consider

The differences below apply to the specific products mentioned, not to every variety from each brand. Always compare the muesli or other breakfast cereal you’re actually thinking of buying.

Quaker Cruesli

Crunchy muesli that, according to the serving suggestion, can be eaten with yoghurt.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Naturel contains no added sugars and no sweeteners.
  • The same variety contains 5.7 g of sugars per 45 g serving, according to Albert Heijn, so it doesn’t meet a strict sugar-free threshold.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand range includes crunchy muesli and granola varieties labelled as having no added sugar; granola is a different product category from muesli.

  • Albert Heijn gives AH Krokante muesli noten 0% suiker as containing 1.3 g of sugars and 8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • According to the product information, this muesli contains maltitols and nuts. Its stated sugar content is above the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

Brinta

Brinta Oergranen is a breakfast cereal that you cook hot, rather than muesli. It’s only relevant if you’re also considering this style of breakfast.

  • Albert Heijn gives Brinta Oergranen as containing 11 g of fibre per 100 g, with preparation instructions for the microwave or a pan.
  • The product contains 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g. Preparing it hot also takes a little more effort than pairing muesli straight away with a cold base.

Zonnatura

The range mentioned includes crunchy muesli and protein muesli; check the nutritional information for each variety.

  • Albert Heijn gives Zonnatura Proteïne Muesli as containing 20 g of protein and 13 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • This protein muesli also contains 8.6 g of sugars per 100 g. Zonnatura Krokante muesli Naturel is a different product, containing 5.6 g of sugars per 100 g; neither figure meets the strict sugar-free threshold.

Related products on Joybuy

Explore breakfast options such as Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Naturel, AH Krokante muesli noten 0% suiker, Brinta Oergranen and Zonnatura Proteïne Muesli.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘0% added sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. Under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can only be used for products with no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. A product with no added sugar can still contain sugars: for example, Albert Heijn gives AH Krokante muesli noten 0% suiker as containing 1.3 g of sugars per 100 g.

How can I compare muesli quickly using the label?

Start with the nutritional information per 100 g and look specifically at ‘of which sugars’. Then read the ingredients, allergens and portion size. According to the Voedingscentrum, the nutrition table also helps you compare energy, fat, carbohydrates, protein and salt.

Is crunchy muesli a convenient breakfast to take with you?

It can be, if you can easily take the muesli and anything you add with you. The product suggestions mentioned pair crunchy muesli with options such as yoghurt, milk, quark or a plant-based alternative. Think ahead about whether you’ll also need a pot and spoon.

Is muesli with no added sugar automatically suitable if you have a nut or gluten allergy?

No. A sugar claim tells you nothing about allergens. Albert Heijn lists nuts and cereals containing gluten, among other ingredients, for AH Krokante muesli noten 0% suiker. Check the current allergen information on the packaging for every variety.