For anyone who likes taking their time over a warm bowl
You want to make porridge oats or wholegrain cereal on a Sunday and choose what to add, such as fruit, milk or yoghurt.
Who are these options for?
For anyone who likes adding a bit of crunch
You’re looking for texture in your yoghurt or quark. With crunchy muesli and Cruesli, look beyond the grains and check the sugars, fat and other ingredients too.
For anyone who checks labels carefully
You pay close attention to the exact variety because of allergens or a preference for less added sugar. Wholegrain doesn’t automatically mean a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet or a nut allergy.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want warm porridge or a crunchy bowl. Then compare the nutritional information for similar breakfast cereals per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and check the ingredients of the variety you choose.
| What to look for | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain cereals and fibre | Check which wholegrains are listed in the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g within the same product type. | I want a recognisable grain base for breakfast, so I look at the fibre content. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Compare sugars per 100 g and check whether the ingredients list includes sugar, syrup or honey, for example; the nutrition table doesn’t list added sugars separately. | With a crunchy variety, I want to know what’s in it besides grains. Around 29% of consumers give this label check their top priority. |
| Warm bowl and preparation | Check the preparation instructions and whether you need milk, water, a pan or a microwave. | I want a warm bowl on Sunday morning without a lengthy preparation. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Crunch and variety | Choose the type of product you want and, for crunchy varieties, check for nuts, other allergens and nutrition information per 100 g. | I’m mainly looking for something crunchy to add a different flavour to my yoghurt or quark, rather than having porridge. This is the main deciding factor for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the word ‘wholegrain’
Wholegrain breakfast cereals can also contain sugar, syrup, honey or oil. The front of the pack doesn’t always make these differences clear.
Read the ingredients and compare similar products per 100 g for fibre, sugars, fat and salt.
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Comparing serving sizes across different packs
It’s difficult to compare the amount per serving with another product if the serving sizes shown aren’t the same.
Start by comparing the figures per 100 g. Then consider how much you put in your bowl.
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Assuming all porridge oats are gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats may come into contact with gluten during processing. Wholegrain wheat cereal also contains wheat.
If you have coeliac disease, check the current label and look for the Crossed Grain symbol on oat products. For other allergies, read the specific allergen information.
Brands to compare
Quaker
Offers both porridge oats for a bowl you can customise and crunchy Cruesli for yoghurt or quark.
- According to Quaker, Havermout Original is made from 100% wholegrain cereals.
- The red fruit Cruesli described by Albert Heijn is listed as 95% wholegrain, but also contains glucose syrup, sugar, honey and sunflower oil. So assess the specific variety, not just the brand.
Brinta
Wholegrain cereal for anyone who wants a warm, porridge-like bowl made with wheat.
- The variety described contains wholegrain wheat and lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This wheat product isn’t suitable for anyone with a wheat allergy or following a gluten-free diet.
Kellogg's
A good option to consider if you prefer flakes to porridge or crunchy muesli.
- Special K Original lists ingredients including rice, wholegrain wheat and barley, as well as added vitamins and iron.
- The nutritional information for this variety lists 15 g of sugars and 6,0 g of fibre per 100 g. Compare these figures with other flakes if they matter to your choice.
Albert Heijn
A supermarket own brand to consider when comparing organic crunchy muesli with nuts.
- According to the product information, AH Biologisch Volkoren krokante muesli vier noten carries a wholegrain label.
- This variety contains several types of nuts, as well as glucose syrup, sugar and sunflower oil. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
Nestlé
A brand to compare if you want to understand what a wholegrain label on breakfast cereals tells you.
- According to Nestlé Cereals Belgium, products bearing its green banner contain at least 8 g of wholegrain per 30 g serving.
- This brand claim doesn’t tell you anything about the sugar content of a specific variety. Check the nutrition information on the relevant pack for that.
Breakfast cereals on Joybuy
These products show two ways to put together your Sunday breakfast: porridge oats or wholegrain wheat cereal for a warm bowl, and crunchy muesli or Cruesli for a bowl with yoghurt or quark.
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Quaker Express Porridge Oats, 324 g
For a warm bowl when you want to keep preparation time to a minimum. The product information says it takes two minutes to prepare; according to the nutritional information provided, this variety contains 9 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the allergen information if you need to avoid gluten.
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Holie's Crunchy Muesli Mixed Nuts, 400 g
A crunchy muesli for adding nuts and texture to a bowl of yoghurt or quark. If you have a nut allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the pack; compare the nutrition information per 100 g with other crunchy muesli.
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Quaker Cruesli Nuts Zero Sugar, 400 g
A crunchy Cruesli variety for anyone who wants a bowl with nuts. Consider the ‘Zero Sugar’ claim alongside the sugars per 100 g and the ingredients list, and check the allergens if nuts or gluten are relevant to you.
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Brinta Wholegrain Cereal, 500 g
For a warm, porridge-like bowl made with wholegrain wheat. The nutritional information provided lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g. This product contains wheat and isn’t suitable for anyone with a wheat allergy or following a gluten-free diet.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal, 500 g
A porridge option for a bowl you can customise yourself. Check the preparation instructions if timing matters on your Sunday morning, and read the current allergen information if you have allergies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare wholegrain breakfast cereals?
Compare similar products per 100 g for fibre, sugars, fat and salt, rather than looking only at the figures per serving. Then read the ingredients list to see which grains and any added ingredients the variety contains; this follows the comparison advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Are porridge oats and Brinta Wholegrain Cereal the same?
No. Porridge oats are made from oats, whereas Brinta Wholegrain Cereal is made with wholegrain wheat, according to the product information provided. Both can be prepared as a warm bowl, but bear in mind the differences in ingredients and allergens.
Can I choose ordinary porridge oats if I have coeliac disease?
Don’t assume so without checking the specific product: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats may come into contact with gluten during processing. If you have coeliac disease, look for the Crossed Grain symbol and read the current label on the pack.
How do I keep crunchy muesli crisp in yoghurt?
Add the muesli just before eating if you want to keep it crunchy. Seal the pack well after use and, if you have allergies, check the ingredients and allergens of the variety you’ve chosen.
Where can I find allergen information for breakfast cereals?
Check the allergen information and ingredients list on the pack of the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be declared on labels; a wholegrain claim doesn’t replace this check.