Choose an individually wrapped breakfast portion if you want to avoid measuring things out when eating alone, but check whether it’s flakes, porridge or a breakfast drink, and how it needs to be prepared. If you enjoy eating the same thing on several mornings and want crunchy flakes, a box may suit you better. Compare sweet cereals per 100 g for things like sugar and fibre, and check the label for ingredients and allergens.
If you want a sweet breakfast without measuring things out each time, check whether the pack actually contains individual portions. A sachet may still need water or another preparation step, so check the product type too.
If flavour and a crunchy texture matter to you, you can compare similar cereals side by side. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking nutritional values per 100 g and the ingredients list, rather than relying on a claim on the front of the pack.
If you enjoy having the same flakes for several mornings, a box could be practical. Before you buy, consider whether you’ll want to keep eating the contents, and follow the storage instructions on the pack.
First decide whether you want crunchy flakes or would also enjoy a prepared grain-based breakfast. Then compare the packaging, preparation method and nutritional information of products of the same type.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions and preparation | Check how many separate sachets there are, how much each sachet contains and whether you need to add liquid. | When I’m having breakfast on my own and don’t want to measure anything out, the pack needs to contain individual portions I can actually use. Around 42% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Sugars, fibre and ingredients | Compare similar products per 100 g for sugars and fibre, and read the ingredients list. | I want to choose sweet cereal without basing my decision solely on taste or a claim on the front of the pack. For around 33% of consumers, nutritional information and ingredients matter most. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the net weight and storage instructions, and think about how many mornings you want to eat the same product. | When I’m having breakfast on my own for several days, I want to choose a pack I’ll actually finish. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Manufacturers set their own serving sizes. This means that values per serving can distort comparisons between two cereals.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g first. Then use the serving information to work out how much you want to prepare for yourself.
A product can contain fibre as well as sugars. For example, Albert Heijn lists 8.4 g of fibre and 20 g of sugars per 100 g for Kellogg's Oaties Original Crunch. These values apply to this variety, not the whole brand.
For the variety you’re considering, check both the nutrition table and the ingredients list.
A measured portion of grains doesn’t have to be crunchy or ready to eat. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Wake-up! is a breakfast drink that you prepare with liquid.
Before buying, check the product type, the texture you want and the preparation instructions.
A range page doesn’t automatically show whether your preferred variety is available in individual portions. Lidl also states that some grain-based breakfast products are only available in store.
Check the product variety you’ve chosen and how you can buy it. If you have an allergy, always use the current label to check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
A brand or shop can point you towards a type of product, but on its own it tells you nothing about the portion packaging, ingredients or nutritional values of an individual item.
Offers a range of cereals, including sweet and grain-based varieties.
Worth considering if you’re open to a prepared grain-based breakfast as well as crunchy flakes.
A shop where you can compare cereal types and nutritional information.
Offers a range of different cereals and brands.
Offers Golden Bridge cereals, including cornflakes and other varieties.
Its breakfast range includes granola and different types of muesli.
These products may suit you if you’re looking for a measured grain-based breakfast for one. They’re prepared breakfast portions, not ready-to-eat crunchy flakes, so choose them only if the product format and preparation method work for you.
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An option if you’re looking for a measured hot grain-based breakfast and aren’t expecting crunchy flakes.
The product name lists 838 g and glucose in the oat flakes. Check the preparation instructions, allergens and nutritional information on the pack for the combination you want to use.
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An option if you’re looking for a prepared breakfast drink for one, rather than flakes that stay crunchy.
The product name lists 115 g. Check the number of portions, the exact preparation instructions, and the ingredients and allergens for this variety on the pack.
No. The type of packaging doesn’t, in itself, tell you anything about the nutritional value. Compare similar cereals per 100 g for things like sugars and fibre, then consider how much you actually prepare or serve yourself.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack for the variety you’ve chosen. Check all the ingredients that are relevant to you, even if you’ve bought a product with the same brand name before.
Don’t use these claims as a substitute for checking the nutrition table and ingredients list. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends assessing similar products per 100 g. For example, a wholegrain claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar the variety you’ve chosen contains.
