For a toddler aged 1 to 3, plain wholegrain porridge oats with no added sugar or salt are an easy way to vary their breakfast beyond bread, in line with the advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. For baby porridge labelled with an age recommendation, check the minimum age and nutritional information. With crunchy cereals, you’ll also want to consider the ingredients, allergens and whether the texture is right for your child.
You want to vary the bread you serve at your toddler’s breakfast and prefer cereals with no added sugar or salt, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre for children aged 1 to 3. With plain porridge oats, you can check the ingredients and preparation method for yourself.
You’re looking for a product that states a minimum age and gives preparation instructions. Also check the ingredients, sugars per serving and allergens: an age recommendation doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in the product.
You’re looking for an alternative to soft porridge. Check that the texture suits your child’s eating skills, and read the information about salt and allergens even if the product says ‘no added sugars’.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends oats, muesli and other wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as alternatives to bread at breakfast for children aged 1 to 3. Then choose a preparation method and texture that suit your child and your morning routine.
When: when you want a simple base to make your own porridge.
Consider: you prepare the porridge yourself and adjust the temperature and consistency to suit your child.
When: when you want a product whose manufacturer states a minimum age and preparation method.
Consider: check the ingredients and sugars per serving too; an age recommendation is no substitute for comparing these details.
When: when your child can manage the crunchy texture and you’re looking for a change.
Consider: check separately for added sugar and salt, as well as the allergens listed.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain with no added ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check for added sugars and added salt per 100 g; the word ‘wholegrain’ alone isn’t enough. | I want to vary the bread I serve with a simple cereal base, without unknowingly adding sugar or salt. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this composition. |
| Age and texture | Check any stated minimum age and the preparation instructions, and whether the prepared or crunchy texture suits your child’s eating skills. | What matters most to me is whether the porridge or cereal mix is easy for my child to eat at this stage. Age and texture are key priorities for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens and taking it with you | Read the current ingredients and allergen information. If you’re sending it in with your child, ask the relevant childcare provider or school about its policy. | If I’m sending breakfast cereal in with my child or need to watch out for allergens, I want to know which grains and other allergens are listed. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
| Ease of preparation | Compare the serving size and preparation method of similar products, without assuming convenience means the product has the composition you’re looking for. | On a busy morning, I want to prepare breakfast in a way that works for us every day. This routine is the biggest consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says wholegrain breakfast cereals served as an alternative at toddler breakfast should meet both conditions. The ingredients list for Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt includes salt; Kellogg's Oaties Original Crunch includes sugar and glucose syrup, among other ingredients, according to the product information from Albert Heijn.
As well as checking the type of grain, check the ingredients and the information about added sugars and salt.
A product may also contain sugars from its ingredients. The nutritional information from Albert Heijn lists 12 g of sugars per serving of Nestlé Junior Cereals Multifruit Crisps made with 25 g of product.
Read the nutrition table and only compare values on the same basis, such as per 100 g of product or per clearly defined serving.
Ingredients and allergen information can vary between products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that the type of grain must be clearly identifiable on the label when it is a gluten-containing cereal.
Check the packaging again next time you buy, and if you’re sending the product in with your child, check the relevant childcare provider or school’s policy.
The own-brand range includes fine wholegrain oats and a wholegrain breakfast cereal; compare these products separately.
Quaker offers plain porridge oats and the crunchy Cruesli range; Cruesli is not a separate brand.
Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt is a wholegrain wheat product that can be made into porridge.
Nestlé offers products including Junior Cereals Multifruit Crisps, labelled as suitable from 15 months.
Kellogg's offers a crunchy cereal variety called Oaties Original Crunch.
These Joybuy products include porridge oats or wholegrain breakfast cereal to make into porridge, as well as crunchy cruesli as a possible alternative. Check the packaging to make sure the ingredients, allergens and texture suit your choice for your toddler’s breakfast.
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An option if you’d like to make a warm porridge with oats. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, and make sure the consistency and temperature are right for your child.
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For anyone looking for plain oats as a base for porridge. Check the current packaging for salt too if you want to choose breakfast cereals with no added salt.
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A crunchy alternative if the texture suits your child’s eating skills. Check the information about nuts, wheat and other allergens; the product information also lists salt, so it isn’t the same choice as cereals with no added salt.
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A wholegrain wheat product for anyone who wants to make a warm cereal porridge. The ingredients information for Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt lists salt and wheat; bear this in mind if you’re looking for breakfast cereals with no added salt, and check the current packaging.
Yes. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends oats, muesli and other wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as alternatives to bread at breakfast. When buying, check for both additions, not just the word ‘wholegrain’.
No. It may still contain sugars from its ingredients. Albert Heijn’s nutritional information lists 12 g of sugars per serving of Nestlé Junior Cereals Multifruit Crisps made with 25 g of product; when comparing products, always check the serving size and preparation method used in the table.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says the relevant grain must be clearly identified when it is a gluten-containing cereal. If you’re sending breakfast cereal in with your child, ask the childcare provider or school about its policy.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the product you choose. Albert Heijn’s product information recommends storing Quaker Havermout in a cool, dry place, and AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken in a cool, dark, dry place in a tightly closed pack.
