Choose plain wholegrain oats if you want to decide what goes into your breakfast. Compare the fat and saturated fat in dry products on the same basis, and include milk, yoghurt and toppings when calculating the whole bowl. A plain, pre-portioned pack makes measuring easier, but doesn’t in itself tell you how much fat the prepared oats contain.
Wants to use plain oats as a base and pays particular attention to the saturated fat in the finished dish. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average figures of 2.5 g of fat per 40 g of oats, including 0.4 g of saturated fat; milk, yoghurt and toppings add to this.
Is looking for a pack that suits regular use and compares loose flakes with smaller packs. The ingredients list is still important: wholegrain oat flakes are different from a prepared breakfast product.
Wants to spend less time measuring, so looks for fine flakes or plain pre-portioned packs that are quick to prepare according to the instructions. A fixed portion is convenient, but your choice of liquid and toppings still affects the nutritional value of your breakfast.
Start with the fat and saturated fat in the finished dish. Then compare the ingredients and pack format to find what suits the way you use it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat in the prepared bowl | Compare the fat and saturated fat per 100 g of dry oats. For your breakfast, also include your chosen milk, yoghurt and toppings; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average figures of 2.5 g of fat and 0.4 g of saturated fat per 40 g of dry oats. | When I prepare oats, I want to know how much fat is in the whole bowl, not just in the flakes. For around 42% of consumers, the finished dish is the most important consideration. |
| Ingredients and packaging | Check whether the product consists of oat flakes or contains other ingredients. Choose a pack size that suits how often you eat oats. | If I eat oats regularly, I want a simple oat base and a pack I can finish. Around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Convenience and portions | Check the preparation instructions and whether you’ll measure the oats yourself or use a pre-measured portion. If you choose a portion pack, check the ingredients too. | On a busy morning, I want to prepare breakfast quickly without weighing out the flakes each time. This convenience comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
The nutritional value of dry oats doesn’t describe the whole bowl. The amount and type of milk, yoghurt and toppings change what you ultimately eat.
Look at what goes into your usual bowl, and compare nutritional values for dry products only with those of other dry products.
An ingredients list that contains only oats doesn’t rule out the possible presence of other gluten-containing cereals. Product information from AH, Jumbo and Quaker, among others, flags this for their standard varieties.
If you need a gluten-free product, check the explicit gluten-free label and allergen information on the current packaging.
A nutritional table for oats prepared with milk includes the milk too. The portion figures shown for Brinta refer to a prepared serving, so they can’t be directly compared with figures for dry flakes.
Check what each table refers to and, where possible, compare products per 100 g of dry oats.
Offers fine and coarse wholegrain oat flakes for anyone who wants to choose their preferred texture.
Offers fine wholegrain flakes in a 1 kg pack, among other options, as well as coarse wholegrain flakes in a 500 g pack.
Offers both plain oats and Oats Express Naturel in individual portions.
According to Albert Heijn, the oat variety reviewed consists of 100% oat flakes.
Golden Bridge Fine Wholegrain Oatmeal is listed by ALDI in a 500 g pack.
These products include plain oats in a range of pack sizes, as well as an Express variety for anyone who wants to spend less time measuring. For a fat-conscious breakfast, always compare the nutritional information for your chosen variety with that of the rest of your meal.
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An option if you want to spend less time measuring at breakfast. Check the portion size, preparation method and basis for the nutritional values on the packaging before comparing it with loose oats.
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A pack of loose oats for anyone who wants to choose their own portions and toppings. Compare the nutritional value of the dry product and check the allergen information on the current packaging.
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A pack to consider if you want to make your own breakfast with oat flakes. Before comparing products, check the ingredients, allergens and basis for the nutritional table on the current packaging.
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A smaller pack of plain oats for anyone who wants to measure out their own breakfast portion. Check the nutritional values for dry oats and the allergen information for this variety on the packaging.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 2.5 g of fat per 40 g of oats, including 0.4 g of saturated fat. Check the label for the figures for a specific product, and include the other ingredients when calculating the nutritional value of your prepared bowl.
As well as the oats, your chosen milk or yoghurt and any toppings contribute to the total. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists semi-skimmed or skimmed milk or yoghurt as preparation options; for your own bowl, consider the amounts you actually use.
No. A pre-measured portion can make preparation easier, but it doesn’t change the fat content of your chosen milk, yoghurt or toppings. Also compare the nutritional information for the portioned product itself with that for plain dry oats.
Not without checking the packaging. The allergen information for standard oat varieties may mention the possible presence of other gluten-containing cereals. If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the current allergen information.
