If you have coeliac disease, only choose a wholegrain muesli after checking the packaging to make sure it is explicitly labelled gluten-free or carries the Crossed Grain symbol. Then compare the wholegrain ingredients and fibre per 100 g. For oats and any other relevant allergens, always check the information for the specific variety.
You’re looking for muesli suitable for coeliac disease and don’t want to rely on words such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘oats’ alone. The Dutch Coeliac Society says you can check the label to see whether a muesli is gluten-free.
Once you’ve checked that it’s gluten-free, you want to know which grains and other ingredients it contains. The ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g help you compare the fibre and composition of suitable options.
You may also need to consider oats, soya, nuts or other ingredients. In that case, it’s important to check the allergen information for the exact variety, as well as its gluten-free labelling.
Check the gluten-free labelling first. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of options that also suit your other dietary requirements.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging or the Crossed Grain symbol. Also check the ingredients for wheat, rye, barley and spelt. | When I buy muesli for coeliac disease, I don’t want ‘wholegrain’ to take the place of checking that it’s gluten-free. This check comes first for an estimated 50% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain ingredients and nutritional information | Check which wholegrain ingredients are used and compare the fibre and sugars per 100 g on the label. | After checking that it’s gluten-free, I want to choose a muesli with ingredients and nutritional values that suit my breakfast preferences. This is the next most important consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Oats and other allergens | Check whether the oats are labelled gluten-free and read the allergen information, including any warnings about possible traces. | If I also need to avoid oats, soya or nuts, checking the gluten-free label alone isn’t enough. For an estimated 20% of consumers, this additional check is the deciding factor. |
Wholegrain muesli can contain wheat or spelt. For example, Albert Heijn lists both grains among the ingredients of AH Organic Wholegrain Muesli.
If you have coeliac disease, start by checking the gluten-free labelling on the packaging. Only then assess the wholegrain ingredients.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Gluten-Free Muesli contains oats and soya; its allergen information also says it may contain nuts.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen flavour, even when the muesli is gluten-free.
Ingredients and ranges can change. So an option you chose before may not necessarily be the same choice next time you shop.
Check the current packaging, and have another suitable muesli in mind in case your usual option isn’t available.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Gluten-Free Muesli combines gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes with wholegrain soya and buckwheat flakes.
Consenza specialises in gluten-free products and includes muesli in its breakfast range.
Zonnatura offers an organic apple and cinnamon muesli labelled gluten-free, made with wholegrain oats, rice and buckwheat.
Not necessarily: ‘wholegrain’ doesn’t mean a muesli is gluten-free. For example, according to Albert Heijn, AH Organic Wholegrain Muesli contains wheat and spelt flakes. So always check the gluten-free labelling on the specific muesli.
Check that the oats are explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that people can vary in how well they tolerate pure oats. If you have questions, speak to your doctor or a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease.
The Crossed Grain symbol is a recognised aid when choosing gluten-free products. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing a product with this symbol where possible if it contains oats. You should still check the ingredients and any other relevant allergens for that variety.
Yes. Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. So check the packaging of the muesli you’re actually buying.
