If you want a quick, cold breakfast
If you want to mix muesli straight into yoghurt, quark, milk or a plant-based alternative, a cold option fits easily into your morning routine.
Who are these options suitable for?
If you’re comparing wholegrains and fibre
You want to see which grains are in the mix and how much fibre the nutritional information lists per 100 g. Voedingscentrum recommends comparing products on the same basis.
If you check ingredients and allergens
Before buying, you want to check which sugars and ingredients the variety contains and whether its allergen information meets your needs. Check the current packaging to be sure.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a cold muesli you can mix straight away or have time to prepare a hot cereal breakfast. Then compare similar mueslis by checking the label; if you have an allergy, checking the exact variety takes priority.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrains and fibre | See which grains are listed as wholegrain and compare the fibre per 100 g in similar mueslis. | If wholegrains and fibre content are my starting point, I want to be able to compare them side by side on the label. This is the most important consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Preparation and texture | Check whether you can mix the muesli cold or whether the cereal breakfast needs to be prepared with heated milk. | On a busy morning, I want to choose between mixing something straight away and preparing a warm bowl. Preparation method comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Sugars and ingredients | For similar products, compare total and added sugars per 100 g; also read the ingredients list. | When choosing between plain, crunchy and fruit-and-nut varieties, I want to know what the wording on the packaging means for the ingredients. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Allergens | Check the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the packaging of the exact variety you’ve chosen. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the information for that variety must be clear before I buy it. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘crunchy’ tells you about nutritional value
Texture doesn’t tell you how much sugar has been added to a muesli. Albert Heijn lists 9 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Biologisch Krokante muesli naturel.
Compare a crunchy variety with a standard muesli of the same type using the nutritional information per 100 g, and check the ingredients.
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Confusing no added sugar with no sugars
A claim about added sugar isn’t the same as the figure for all sugars. A fruit-and-nut muesli, for example, may contain sugars from dried fruit.
Read both the total sugars in the nutrition table and the added-sugar information, and check which ingredients are in the mix.
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Relying on the product name alone to check allergens
Mueslis can contain different grains and nuts, and information about possible allergens can also vary between varieties.
Check the ingredients, allergen information and ‘may contain’ details on the packaging of your chosen product, even if you already know the brand.
Brands to consider
Brinta
Wholegrain cereal breakfast for anyone who prefers a warm bowl to cold muesli.
- The Brinta wholegrain cereal breakfast variety described by Albert Heijn is made from 100% wholegrain wheat and lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The preparation described uses 35 g of product and 250 ml of warm milk. The product contains wheat; for a breakfast that doesn’t need heating, cold muesli is more convenient.
Quaker Cruesli
Crunchy muesli for anyone who’s mainly looking for that texture.
- Albert Heijn lists several Quaker Cruesli varieties, including options with fruit or nuts.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens for the specific variety; the name Cruesli alone doesn’t tell you enough.
Albert Heijn
Own-brand range with both standard and crunchy wholegrain muesli.
- Albert Heijn lists 11 g of fibre and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Biologisch Muesli volkoren.
- For AH Biologisch Krokante muesli naturel, Albert Heijn lists 9 g of added sugars per 100 g. So compare the varieties individually.
Jumbo
Own-brand range that includes organic wholegrain muesli with fruit and nuts.
- According to Jumbo, Jumbo Biologisch Volkoren Muesli Fruit en Noten contains a variety of wholegrains, dried fruit and nuts; the product information lists 9,0 g of fibre per 100 g.
- That specific variety lists 15,0 g of sugars per 100 g and contains several allergens. Don’t assume the same applies to other Jumbo mueslis.
Crownfield
Lidl brand with an organic muesli for a cold breakfast.
- Lidl describes Crownfield Bio muesli as a product available in store.
- Check the nutritional values, ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the variety you choose.
Golden Bridge
ALDI own-brand range with wholegrain muesli and separate crunchy varieties.
- ALDI lists Golden Bridge Volkoren muesli in its range.
- A claim about added sugar on a crunchy variety doesn’t automatically apply to other Golden Bridge products.
Products for a hot or cold breakfast
The two Quaker Cruesli varieties are suitable for a cold muesli breakfast; Brinta is a wholegrain alternative for anyone who can prepare a warm bowl. Whichever option you choose, check the exact ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Strawberry & Peach, 400 g
A Cruesli variety for anyone looking for cold muesli with strawberry and peach.
Check the current packaging for nutritional information and details of cereals containing gluten, milk and nuts if allergens are important to you.
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Quaker Zs Cruesli Nuts & Seeds, 400 g
A Cruesli variety for anyone who wants nuts and seeds in a cold breakfast.
Check the current allergen information carefully: the available details about ingredients and milk allergens aren’t clear. Also look out for information about nuts and cereals containing gluten.
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Brinta wholegrain cereal breakfast, 500 g
This hot cereal breakfast is suited to mornings when you have the time and facilities to prepare a bowl; it isn’t a cold muesli you can mix and eat straight away.
The variety described by Albert Heijn is made from 100% wholegrain wheat and lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g. The preparation uses 35 g of product with 250 ml of warm milk. Check the current packaging for allergens, including possible cross-contamination.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if muesli contains wholegrains?
Check the product name and ingredients list to see which grains are described as wholegrain. Voedingscentrum defines wholegrain cereal products as products made from the entire grain; for a muesli mix, check the individual grains and the nutritional information too.
Should I compare muesli per serving or per 100 g?
Start by comparing similar mueslis per 100 g. This lets you compare their nutritional values on the same basis; then consider the portion you actually eat.
Does no added sugar mean that muesli contains no sugars?
No. The total sugars figure can also include sugars that occur naturally in the ingredients. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 0,7 g of total sugars per 100 g for AH Biologisch Muesli volkoren; for each variety, check both figures alongside the ingredients list.
Can I choose muesli if I need to avoid cereals containing gluten or nuts?
Only decide by checking the current packaging for the exact product. The mueslis in this article may contain cereals containing gluten or nuts; check the ingredients as well as the allergen and ‘may contain’ information.
How should I store an opened bag of muesli?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen and seal the bag properly after use. The AH and Jumbo product pages described recommend storing the products in a cool, dry, dark place.