Who is this choice relevant to?

Meal prepper with coeliac disease

You want to prepare several portions of breakfast, so you start with oats that are explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing oats with the Crossed Grain trademark where possible.

Planner of measured portions

You don’t want to weigh out oats every time. Individual gluten-free sachets, such as Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal, which Albert Heijn describes, give you a measured amount for each breakfast.

Overnight oats maker

You make several jars or use porridge oats in different recipes. A larger pack of gluten-free porridge oats lets you divide them up yourself and add different ingredients to each portion.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check that the specific variety is labelled gluten-free. Then choose between pre-measured instant portions and porridge oats that you can divide between several meals yourself.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Gluten-free labelling Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label and read the allergen information. If possible, look for the Crossed Grain trademark too. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to assume a product is suitable based on the type of grain or the brand name. For around 42% of consumers, gluten-free suitability is the main consideration when making this choice.
Versatility for different recipes Compare pack sizes and check that the specific oats are suitable for the cold, hot or baked recipes you have planned. If you’re preparing several jars or recipes in advance, you’ll want to divide the oats up and combine them yourself. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this flexibility above all else.
Quick, measured portions Check the amount in each sachet, the preparation instructions and whether this specific instant variety is labelled gluten-free. If I don’t want to weigh out oats in the morning, an individually wrapped portion makes preparation easier. Quick preparation is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming regular oats are automatically gluten-free

    If you have coeliac disease, the type of grain alone isn’t enough to determine whether a product is suitable. Oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production and processing.

    Check the gluten-free label on the current packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing a product with the Crossed Grain trademark where possible.

  • Confusing ‘instant’ with ‘gluten-free’

    Quick preparation doesn’t tell you whether a product is gluten-free. For example, Quaker states that Oats Express Naturel may contain barley and wheat (gluten).

    Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact instant variety before choosing it for gluten-free meal prep.

  • Choosing sachets when you’re making large batches

    Sachets give you a measured amount, but you’ll need to open more individual portions when making several jars or different recipes. A larger pack lets you divide the oats up yourself.

    Decide whether you mainly want quick, individual breakfasts or would rather prepare several meals at once.

  • Relying on the packaging from a previous purchase

    Ingredients and allergen information can change when a product is updated, so a previous purchase is no substitute for checking a new pack.

    Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information again every time you buy a new pack.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Elovena

Natural Instant Oatmeal is an option labelled gluten-free, with individual portions.

  • Albert Heijn describes five 40 g sachets that can be prepared hot, cold or as overnight oats.
  • The product information relates to the plain variety; check flavoured varieties separately.

AH Glutenvrij

The 450 g Wholegrain Porridge Oats are a good base for portions you measure out yourself.

  • Albert Heijn says they can be used in hot and cold recipes, as well as baking.
  • This product isn’t divided into individual instant portions, so you’ll need to measure out the amount for each recipe yourself.

Leev Simply Free

The 450 g organic gluten-free porridge oats are well suited to dividing into several portions in advance.

  • For overnight oats, Albert Heijn gives a recipe using 40 g of porridge oats and 200 ml of liquid, left covered in the fridge for 8 hours.
  • This is a basic product that you measure out yourself, not an individually wrapped instant portion.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

The 450 g porridge oats are labelled gluten-free and are an option for portions you measure out yourself.

  • Jumbo lists the Crossed Grain trademark and hot preparation instructions using 45 g of porridge oats per portion.
  • Jumbo says this product is no longer available in its online range. Check current availability before planning to use it.

Quaker

Oats Express Naturel shows why instant products need to be checked variety by variety.

  • This variety is packed in individual portions.
  • Quaker says Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat (gluten). Don’t choose this variety if a gluten-free label is essential.

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Frequently asked questions

Are regular porridge oats suitable if you have coeliac disease?

Don’t assume they are unless they’re labelled gluten-free. For oats, the Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing a product with the Crossed Grain trademark where possible, or otherwise one with another gluten-free label.

Can you prepare gluten-free porridge oats the night before?

Yes, provided the specific oats are suitable for overnight oats. For Leev Simply Free, Albert Heijn gives a recipe using 40 g of porridge oats and 200 ml of water, oat drink or milk, left covered in the fridge for 8 hours.

Is Quaker Oats Express Naturel a gluten-free instant option?

Not if a gluten-free label is essential: Quaker says this variety may contain barley and wheat (gluten). Always check the information for the specific variety when choosing another instant product.