Weekend breakfast fans keeping an eye on fibre
You want something crunchy, but the grain base and fibre content matter more to you than the familiar taste of cornflakes.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Label comparers
You’re looking for breakfast cereal you enjoy, and compare sugar, salt and fibre per 100 g, not just the figures per serving.
Families looking for simple flakes
You want an easy, crunchy weekend breakfast and check which grains and allergens are in your chosen variety before buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a breakfast with a clearly stated wholegrain base, standard cornflakes are not the same as wholegrain or bran flakes. Porridge oats and muesli offer a different format and texture, so compare options within the type of breakfast cereal you actually want to eat.
Wholegrain or bran flakes
When to choose them: opt for these if a stated wholegrain base and fibre content are your priorities.
Things to consider: wholegrain on its own tells you nothing about the amount of sugar, salt or sweeteners. Wheat and barley may also be relevant when checking for allergens.
Standard cornflakes
When to choose them: these are a good fit if you’re after the familiar crunch of cornflakes and wholegrain isn’t a deciding factor.
Things to consider: Kellogg's lists maize as the first ingredient in Corn Flakes and states that they contain 3.0 g of fibre per 100 g. Don’t take the product name to mean they’re made from wholegrain maize.
Other wholegrain breakfast cereals
When to consider them: try porridge oats or muesli if you don’t need flakes and want to compare other types of breakfast cereal too.
Things to consider: the texture and any preparation required differ from cornflakes. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact product, too.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and fibre | Check which grains are listed as wholegrain and compare fibre per 100 g across similar products. | For my weekend breakfast, a clearly named wholegrain is the priority, so I look at the fibre content. Around 50% of consumers put this combination first. |
| Sugar, salt and ingredients | Compare sugar and salt per 100 g, and check the ingredients list to see whether the product contains sweeteners. | Fibre alone doesn’t determine my choice: I also want to know what else is in the flakes. For around 30% of consumers, sugar, salt and ingredients are the main considerations. |
| Taste, convenience and allergens | Choose the type of breakfast cereal you want and check the allergen information on the current packaging. | For our weekend breakfast, I’m mainly looking for an easy, crunchy option that suits the household. Around 20% of consumers say they prioritise this practical choice, with allergen checks as an essential step. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all cornflakes are wholegrain
The name doesn’t tell you which part of the grain has been used. Kellogg's lists maize as the first ingredient in Corn Flakes, while Jumbo states that Special Flakes contain 53% wholegrain wheat.
Read the ingredients list and compare the fibre content per 100 g before treating two products as wholegrain alternatives.
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Looking only at fibre or sugar
Jumbo states that Special Flakes contain 7.2 g of fibre and 1.15 g of salt per 100 g; the ingredients also include maltitols. So one figure doesn’t give you the full picture.
Check the full nutrition table and ingredients list for the variety you want to buy.
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Comparing manufacturers’ serving sizes directly
If packs use different serving sizes, the figures per serving aren’t as useful for a direct product comparison.
For similar breakfast cereals, compare the figures per 100 g first, then decide what serving size you want.
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Overlooking allergens in flakes
The products discussed here include ingredients such as wheat, barley and barley malt extract. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) notes that allergens must be clearly stated on the label.
If you have an allergy or need to avoid gluten, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the exact product.
Brands to compare
Kellogg's
This range lets you compare standard Corn Flakes with All-Bran Flakes and Special K Original. They’re different products with different grain bases.
- Kellogg's states that Corn Flakes contain 3.0 g of fibre per 100 g, while Special K Original contains 6.0 g of fibre and 15 g of sugar per 100 g.
- As well as wholegrain wheat, Special K Original contains rice and barley. Having one wholegrain ingredient doesn’t mean all the grains used are wholegrain.
Jumbo
Jumbo Special Flakes are one option to compare with standard cornflakes if you’re specifically looking for wholegrain ingredients.
- According to Jumbo, Special Flakes contain 53% wholegrain wheat and 7.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Rice is also a main ingredient. The product contains maltitols; check the current packaging for the ingredients and allergen information.
Golden Bridge
The ALDI range distinguishes Golden Bridge Cornflakes from wholegrain muesli, porridge oats and a 7-grain wholegrain breakfast cereal.
- This distinction is helpful if you’re also considering wholegrain breakfast cereals beyond cornflakes.
- Compare the nutritional information and ingredients for each individual product before choosing between these types of breakfast cereal.
Albert Heijn
AH Bran flakes volkoren and AH Cornflakes are separate products to consider if you’re choosing from the flakes aisle.
- The individual product names make it clear which varieties you can compare for ingredients and nutritional values.
- Use the current product information or packaging to make your final choice, as ingredients and nutritional values may change.
Breakfast cereals beyond cornflakes on Joybuy
These products are alternatives for anyone who wants to look beyond standard cornflakes for their weekend breakfast. The list mainly features porridge oats, plus a crunchy cereal mix. Think about whether you’re after flakes, a warm breakfast or a crunchy mix.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
A porridge option if you don’t need crunchy cornflakes for breakfast. The product information describes it as suitable for preparing hot; check the current allergen information if possible traces of wheat or barley are relevant to you.
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Brinta Whole Wheat Cereal Breakfast 500 g
For anyone looking for a hot breakfast cereal made from wholegrain wheat instead of cornflakes. The product contains wheat and gluten; check the full nutritional information on the current packaging.
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Leev Dutch Oatmeal 450 g
A porridge option if you want oats rather than crunchy cornflakes; the product description suggests mixing it with milk, yoghurt or quark. The gluten information is contradictory. Don’t assume it’s gluten-free, and check the current packaging if you need to avoid gluten.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
A porridge option if you want to move away from cornflakes. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging before cooking; when checking for allergens, also look for information about gluten and possible traces of milk, nuts, soya and sesame.
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Quaker Zs Cruesli Raisin & Hazelnut 400 g
A crunchy cereal mix with raisins and hazelnuts if you’re after a different texture from standard cornflakes. This isn’t a cornflake product; check the current allergen information and compare the nutritional values per 100 g on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether flakes are wholegrain?
Check that a wholegrain cereal is explicitly listed in the ingredients; the name flakes or cornflakes isn’t enough. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products are made from the entire grain. Then compare fibre per 100 g across similar products.
Are standard cornflakes a less suitable choice for my weekend breakfast?
Not if you’re mainly after a crunchy corn flake. But if you’re choosing based on wholegrain ingredients and fibre, they’re different products from wholegrain flakes. Kellogg's states that Corn Flakes contain 3.0 g of fibre per 100 g; Jumbo states that Special Flakes contain 7.2 g per 100 g. Compare the current information for the specific varieties without drawing a general conclusion about their nutritional value.
Should I compare sugar and salt per serving or per 100 g?
Compare similar breakfast cereals per 100 g first, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Serving sizes can vary; also read the ingredients list if you want to know which grains or sweeteners have been used.
Can I assume wholegrain flakes are gluten-free?
No, wholegrain doesn’t mean gluten-free. According to Kellogg's, Special K Original contains wholegrain wheat and barley, while Jumbo Special Flakes contain wheat and barley. If you need to avoid gluten, check the current packaging and any gluten-free claim for the exact product.
How can I keep flakes crunchy after opening?
Store them as directed on the packaging and seal the pack securely after use. Kellogg's recommends storing Corn Flakes and Special K Original in a dry place; Jumbo advises keeping Special Flakes in a cool, dark place.