If you’re looking for a simple wholegrain breakfast, compare wholegrain oats and wheat porridge by their ingredients and preparation method. Prefer a cold, crunchy breakfast? Muesli or flakes may suit your routine better. For each product, check the wholegrain content, sugars and fibre per 100 g, as well as the allergen information.
You want to know which grain is the main ingredient before you order. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholegrain cereal products as products made from the entire grain. So, when you’re looking at breakfast cereals with several ingredients, check the stated wholegrain content as well as the ingredients list.
You’re looking for porridge or oatmeal that fits the time you have in the morning. Compare the preparation instructions for the exact product and check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
You enjoy breakfast cereal cold with yoghurt or milk, and taste and texture matter to you. With a crunchy mix, added ingredients, nutritional values and portion size are also worth considering.
First decide whether you’d like to make hot porridge or oatmeal, or prefer ready-to-eat muesli or flakes. Then compare the information for the exact product you’re planning to order online.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain content | Check whether the product is labelled 100% wholegrain, or what proportion of the grains are wholegrain. Read the ingredients list too. | If wholegrain is the main reason I’m buying breakfast cereal, I want to know whether it forms the basis of the product. For around 36% of consumers, this is the top consideration. |
| Nutritional values | Compare fibre and sugars per 100 g, then consider your portion and whether milk or yoghurt is included in the figures. | If I eat a particular breakfast regularly, I want to be able to compare the nutritional values of different products on the same basis. Around 29% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Preparation | Check whether the product needs a pan, microwave or just a bowl, and what you need to add during preparation. | On a busy morning, I want to know in advance how many steps are involved in making breakfast. For around 21% of consumers, ease of preparation matters most. |
| Texture and taste | For muesli and flakes, look at the grain mix and ingredients such as fruit, syrup, oil or nuts. | If I eat breakfast cold with yoghurt or milk, I mainly want to choose a texture and taste that go well with it. For around 14% of consumers, this is the first thing they consider. |
A breakfast cereal may contain a wholegrain ingredient alongside other grains in the mix. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines wholegrain as using the entire grain; seeing one wholegrain ingredient doesn’t tell you how the full mix is made up.
For a multigrain product, check the stated wholegrain content and the order of the ingredients rather than relying on the front of the pack alone.
A value per prepared serving with yoghurt is based on something different from a value per 100 g of dry breakfast cereal. The amount you pour may also differ from the stated serving size.
Start by comparing the nutritional information per 100 g, then check what the stated serving includes. Count milk, yoghurt and other additions separately if they aren’t included in the figures.
Allergen information can vary between products. For breakfast cereals, it’s important to check the grains listed and any warnings about possible traces of milk, nuts or soya if you need to avoid these ingredients.
Before checking out, read the information for the exact product. Check the packaging again when it arrives.
Brinta wholegrain wheat porridge is an option if you’d like to make a hot breakfast with a simple grain base.
Quaker offers both oatmeal and crunchy Cruesli in this category. These are different types of product, so compare their preparation and ingredients separately.
Cruesli is Quaker’s crunchy muesli range, for anyone looking to put together a cold breakfast with, for example, yoghurt or milk.
Kellogg's Special K Original is an example of ready-to-eat flakes made with a combination of rice, wholegrain wheat and barley.
The supermarket’s own brand offers a range of breakfast cereals to compare when shopping online, including cereal breakfast, muesli and oatmeal.
These products include options for hot wheat porridge and oatmeal, as well as a crunchy Cruesli variety for a cold breakfast. Use the product information on the exact pack to compare ingredients, nutritional values and allergens.
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An option if you’re looking to order oatmeal for busy mornings. Check the preparation instructions and serving sizes for this exact product; if you have allergies, also read the information about grains and possible traces.
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Suitable if you want to keep oatmeal in your breakfast cupboard and choose how much to put in each bowl. Check the pack for preparation instructions and, if you have allergies, look for information about oats and possible traces of other grains.
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An option if you’d like to make hot wheat porridge. Albert Heijn describes Brinta Wholegrain Cereal Breakfast as made from 100% wholegrain wheat. Check the preparation instructions and wheat allergen information for this pack.
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For anyone who’d prefer an oat-based breakfast to wheat porridge. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information with other oatmeal products and, if you have allergies, check the information about oats and possible traces of rye or wheat.
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A crunchy option if you like eating breakfast cereal cold with yoghurt or milk. Compare the wholegrain content and sugars per 100 g with those in plain oats. If you have allergies, also check the ingredients and warnings on the pack.
No. One wholegrain ingredient doesn’t mean that every grain in a mix is wholegrain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines wholegrain as using the entire grain; for breakfast cereals, also check the stated wholegrain content and the full ingredients list.
Yes. Check the packaging again when your order arrives, especially if ingredients or allergens are key to your choice. Albert Heijn notes that product information may change when a product is updated.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, including any warnings about possible traces of other ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods. When your order arrives, compare the online information with the packaging.
First compare the values per 100 g on the same basis. Then check the portion size and whether the nutritional information is for the dry product or for a serving made with milk or yoghurt. Otherwise, you’re not comparing the same amount of breakfast cereal.
