People comparing ingredients and labels
You’re looking for a wholegrain breakfast cereal with no added sugar and want to look beyond the front of the pack. The ingredients, sugars and fibre help you compare specific varieties.
Who are these points relevant to?
People keeping track of carbohydrates at breakfast
You want to know how much muesli you actually put in your bowl, and how that amount, together with milk, yoghurt or toppings, counts towards your breakfast.
Fans of crunchy breakfast cereals
You’re after the texture of crunchy muesli or Cruesli, but also check the nutritional information and allergen declaration for the variety you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ingredients, then compare nutritional values on the same basis. A claim such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘no added sugar’ doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates are in your portion by itself.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should take note? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and added sugar | Check which grains are listed in the ingredients and look at the added sugar claim on the exact variety. | I want a recognisable wholegrain base with no added sugar, not just appealing wording on the front. For around 36% of consumers, this label choice comes first. |
| Carbohydrates and portion size | Compare carbohydrates and sugars per 100 g, then work out how much is in the amount you put in your bowl. | If I keep track of carbohydrates at breakfast, I need to base my calculations on what I actually eat, including any toppings. For around 29% of consumers, portion size is the top priority. |
| Fibre and product type | Compare fibre per 100 g across the varieties you’re considering; don’t assess crunchy Cruesli as though it were the same type of product as plain muesli. | I want to be able to compare the amount of fibre in my breakfast, even when I’m tempted by a crunchy variety. Around 21% of consumers put this point first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen declaration on the exact pack, including any warnings about traces. | If there’s an ingredient I need to avoid, the declaration on this pack determines whether I can choose the product. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wholegrain’ means ‘low in carbohydrates’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products contain fibre as well as carbohydrates. So a wholegrain base doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates are in your portion of muesli.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then calculate based on the amount you actually use.
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Relying only on ‘no added sugar’
This claim doesn’t mean a breakfast cereal contains no carbohydrates or naturally occurring sugars. Ingredients can also differ between varieties carrying the same claim.
As well as checking the ingredients list, look at the carbohydrate and ‘of which sugars’ values on the label.
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Overlooking sugars from dried fruit
For example, Jumbo Muesli Fruit & Nuts lists 19,7 g of sugars per 100 g. When a product contains fruit, it’s important to check the total amount of sugars, regardless of any added sugar claim.
Compare fruit varieties with a plain variety per 100 g, then check your portion size.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
Allergens vary by recipe: a fruit or nut variety may contain different ingredients and warnings from a plain variety by the same brand.
If you need to avoid an ingredient, check the allergen declaration on the current pack of the specific product.
Brands to consider
For these brands, always compare the product type and exact variety; a brand name doesn’t guarantee one set of nutritional values.
Brinta
Brinta Wholegrain Cereal Breakfast is an alternative for anyone who wants a prepared grain-based breakfast instead of loose muesli.
- A different product type to consider when choosing your breakfast.
- Check the nutritional information for the variety you choose and what you add when preparing it; don’t treat it as interchangeable with muesli.
Quaker Cruesli
Quaker describes Cruesli as a crunchy cereal mix and offers a range of flavours.
- A familiar product range for anyone specifically looking for crunchy breakfast cereal.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional values and allergens for each flavour; a claim about added sugar doesn’t automatically apply to the whole range.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers its own-brand wholegrain muesli, including a plain variety.
- Plain and other varieties can be compared using the same parts of the label.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredients and nutritional values may change; check the pack of the variety you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo has muesli varieties with a range of ingredients, including fruit and nuts.
- The ingredients in a fruit and nut variety show why it’s worth comparing products individually.
- For these varieties, check both the total sugars and the allergen declaration, even if no sugar has been added.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
Golden Bridge is an ALDI own brand with a range of breakfast cereals, including wholegrain muesli and crunchy muesli.
- ALDI lists oat and wheat flakes and raisins as ingredients in its wholegrain muesli.
- Read the full nutritional information for the product type you choose; wholegrain muesli and crunchy muesli are different varieties.
Lidl
Lidl is a supermarket option to consider when comparing breakfast cereals and wholegrain products.
- The supermarket provides general information about wholegrain products.
- General information about wholegrain products won’t tell you the ingredients or nutritional value of a specific muesli; check the product label for those details.
Crunchy Cruesli options on Joybuy
These products are crunchy Quaker Cruesli varieties. First, decide which flavours and ingredients you want to compare, then check the latest nutritional information and allergen declaration for each variety. The product name alone won’t tell you how a portion fits into your breakfast.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Apple, Pecan and Cinnamon, 400 g
For anyone comparing a crunchy variety with apple, pecan and cinnamon. The pack contains 400 g; check the allergens for this variety and use the label to calculate the carbohydrates in your own portion.
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Quaker Zs Cruesli Natural, 400 g
For anyone looking for a plain option among the crunchy Cruesli varieties. The pack contains 400 g; compare the nutritional values per 100 g and read the allergen declaration before deciding on a portion.
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Quaker Zs Cruesli Nuts & Seeds, 400 g
For anyone considering a crunchy variety with nuts and seeds. The pack contains 400 g; when comparing, look beyond the nutritional values and check the allergen declaration for this variety too.
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Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Strawberry & Peach, 400 g
For anyone looking for a crunchy variety with strawberry and peach. The pack contains 400 g; use the nutritional values per 100 g alongside the amount you actually eat to assess your portion.
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Quaker Cruesli Choco Zero Sugar, 400 g
For anyone comparing a crunchy chocolate variety. The pack contains 400 g; check the label to see the basis used for the fibre value, and read the information about carbohydrates, portion size and allergens too.
Frequently asked questions
Is wholegrain muesli automatically suitable if I have diabetes?
No, the wholegrain base alone doesn’t determine that. Wholegrain muesli also contains carbohydrates, so compare the nutritional information for the variety you choose and consider how much you eat, including any toppings.
Can I eat unlimited amounts of muesli with no added sugar?
No. Even with no added sugar, muesli can contain carbohydrates and naturally occurring sugars. Check the values per 100 g and work out your own portion rather than relying only on the claim on the pack.
How do I compare two muesli varieties with different portion sizes?
First compare the ingredients, carbohydrates, sugars and fibre per 100 g. Then consider how much you have yourself; the portion size shown on the pack may not be the same as the amount in your bowl.
Do I need to choose a low-carbohydrate breakfast because of diabetes?
Not automatically. According to the Diabetes Fund, the right level of carbohydrate restriction varies from person to person, and a low-carbohydrate or reduced-carbohydrate diet may require changes to diabetes medication. So discuss any such change with your doctor and dietitian.