For an Easter brunch with someone who has coeliac disease, first choose oats with an explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging; ordinary oats are not automatically suitable. Gluten-free instant oats in individual sachets make it easy to serve separate bowls, while loose gluten-free oats give you more freedom to choose the portions and toppings. If you’re considering flavoured varieties, compare the ingredients and nutritional information too.
You may want to serve oats without assuming that ordinary porridge oats are gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing a product with the Crossed Grain symbol where possible, or otherwise one with another gluten-free logo or claim.
You’re looking for pre-measured portions that guests can mix and customise as they like. Albert Heijn lists Elovena Natural gluten-free instant oats as five 40 g sachets, to be prepared with water or milk.
You’d rather serve loose gluten-free oats with a choice of toppings than a flavoured instant sachet. According to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout contains gluten-free wholegrain oats as its only ingredient and can be eaten hot or cold.
For a guest with coeliac disease, first check for a gluten-free statement on the specific pack. Then choose between pre-measured instant portions and loose oats, and compare the ingredients if you’re considering a flavoured variety.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free statement | Read the current packaging: does it explicitly say ‘gluten-free’? Also check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen. | If I’m hosting someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on an assumption about ordinary oats. That’s why an explicit gluten-free statement is a priority for around 42% of shoppers. |
| Individual portions | Check the number of sachets, the amount in each sachet and the preparation instructions; Albert Heijn lists Elovena Natural as five 40 g portions. | When I’m hosting several guests, I want to serve bowls without weighing out every portion individually. Serving convenience is a priority for around 33% of shoppers. |
| Ingredients and toppings | Compare the ingredients and the amount of sugars per 100 g; also check whether you’re buying instant oats or loose oats. | I want to choose my own fruit and other toppings rather than use a pre-flavoured base. This freedom is the most important consideration for around 25% of shoppers. |
Ordinary oat products may come into contact with gluten-containing grains. The Dutch Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Coeliac Society therefore warn that oats are not automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Choose a product with an explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging; the Dutch Coeliac Society recommends the Crossed Grain symbol where possible.
Quaker states that Oats Express Naturel may contain barley and wheat. Brinta Havermout, listed by Albert Heijn, states that it may contain traces of wheat and rye and lists gluten-containing grains.
Don’t use these specific varieties as gluten-free options for a guest with coeliac disease. Check the label of any other variety individually.
Elovena Raspberry, listed by Albert Heijn, is gluten-free but contains sugar; its nutritional information lists 18 g of sugars per 100 g. Its ingredients therefore differ from those of the plain variety.
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g when choosing between a flavoured sachet and a plain base with your own toppings.
Jumbo stated that Lekker Vrij van Gluten Havermout was no longer in its online range. An old product listing therefore doesn’t tell you whether you can buy it for your brunch.
Check the current range before you shop, and always read the packaging of the product you choose.
Albert Heijn lists Elovena gluten-free instant oats in plain and raspberry sachets.
As well as instant sachets, Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout as a loose oat base.
Jumbo listed Lekker Vrij van Gluten Havermout, made with gluten-free oats and bearing the Crossed Grain symbol.
Oats Express Naturel is a quick, portioned oat option, but it isn’t confirmed as gluten-free for this brunch.
Brinta Havermout, listed by Albert Heijn, is made with oats but isn’t confirmed as a gluten-free option.
Lidl lists Crownfield organic porridge oats, but organic is not the same as gluten-free.
ALDI lists gluten-free oats in its breakfast range, but category information doesn’t automatically apply to every pack.
Not automatically. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten-containing grains. For this guest, choose oats with an explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging; the Dutch Coeliac Society recommends the Crossed Grain symbol where possible.
Don’t use these specific varieties as confirmed gluten-free options for a guest with coeliac disease. Quaker says that Oats Express Naturel may contain barley and wheat; Brinta Havermout, listed by Albert Heijn, may contain traces of wheat and rye and lists gluten-containing grains.
Sachets let guests prepare individual bowls. Albert Heijn says Elovena Natural can be mixed with water or milk. Keep the gluten-free oats, toppings and serving utensils separate from brunch foods containing gluten to avoid cross-contamination when serving.
No, the ingredients may differ. According to Albert Heijn, Elovena Raspberry contains sugar and lists 18 g of sugars per 100 g, whereas Elovena Natural has no added sugar. Check the label if you want to choose your own flavour and toppings.
