If you have coeliac disease and want to use oats for a quick evening meal, first choose a pack with an explicit gluten-free claim or logo; the Dutch Coeliac Association recommends looking for the Crossed Grain mark. Gluten-free instant oats in individual sachets save you measuring, while loose gluten-free oats give you more control over the portion and what you add. For flavoured varieties, check the ingredients and nutritional information too, and bear in mind that not everyone with coeliac disease can tolerate gluten-free oats.
You’re looking for a quick oat-based meal, but the gluten-free claim on the pack is essential. The Dutch Coeliac Association warns that regular oats can be contaminated with gluten-containing grains and recommends choosing products with the Crossed Grain mark where possible.
You’d rather not measure ingredients on a busy weekday evening. Individual sachets that you prepare with hot water or milk according to the pack instructions make things easier; remember to check the gluten-free claim on these products too.
You want a plain base so you can choose the amount and toppings yourself. Loose gluten-free oats give you that flexibility, but you’ll need to measure them and follow the preparation instructions on the pack.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, people with coeliac disease should start by looking for a gluten-free claim or logo on oats. Then choose the product format that suits how you want to prepare them and the ingredients you want to use.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for an explicit gluten-free claim or logo on the current packaging. Where possible, the Dutch Coeliac Association recommends choosing products with the Crossed Grain mark. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to choose oats with a clear gluten-free claim. This would be the main purchasing priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Portion and preparation | Compare the portion size and check whether you need hot water, milk, a pan or a microwave. | On a busy evening, I want to prepare a portion without weighing anything. Portion convenience would be the top consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Plain base | Check the ingredients list and preparation instructions if you want to make your own savoury bowl. | For a savoury bowl, I want to choose the amount of oats and toppings myself. That’s why around 21% of consumers would mainly choose a plain base. |
| Flavour and ingredients | For plain and flavoured varieties, compare the ingredients and sugars per 100 g and per portion. | If I’m considering a flavoured variety, I want to know what it contains besides oats. For around 14% of consumers, the ingredients would be the main consideration. |
The Dutch Coeliac Association says oats can be contaminated with gluten-containing grains during production. So, if you have coeliac disease, seeing the word ‘oats’ on a pack doesn’t give you the reassurance you need.
Check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free claim or logo; choose products with the Crossed Grain mark where possible.
Quaker describes Oats Express as ready in 2 minutes. However, preparation time tells you nothing about whether the variety you’ve chosen is labelled gluten-free.
Check the gluten-free claim and allergen information on the packaging of every instant variety.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Elovena Raspberry contains 18 g of sugars per 100 g, while Elovena Natural contains 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g. The ingredients also differ.
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g and per portion before choosing a flavour.
Ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information on product pages can change. This is particularly important when choosing gluten-free oats.
Read the label on the pack you receive before use, and check availability again if you’re looking for a specific variety.
Gluten-free instant oats in individual portions, for a quick bowl made with hot water or milk.
Loose gluten-free wholegrain oats for a plain base you can customise.
Plain, organic gluten-free oats for adding your own ingredients.
A gluten-free oat variety with seeds for those who want these ingredients in the mix from the start.
Quaker says Oats Express is ready in 2 minutes, but a quick preparation time doesn’t automatically make a variety suitable for people with coeliac disease.
Not necessarily: the Dutch Coeliac Association warns that oats can be contaminated with gluten-containing grains. Look for oats with the Crossed Grain mark where possible, or check the current packaging for another explicit gluten-free claim or logo.
Yes, if the preparation instructions say to use water. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, each portion of Elovena Natural requires 200 ml of boiling water or milk. Check the pack for the amount needed for other varieties.
The ingredients and nutritional values can differ, even when both varieties are labelled gluten-free. Albert Heijn lists sugar as an ingredient in Elovena Raspberry, which contains 18 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g in Elovena Natural. Check the portions on the label too.
No. The Dutch Coeliac Association says some people with coeliac disease may experience symptoms even after eating gluten-free oats. If you’ve had symptoms after eating oats before, discuss this with your doctor or specialist dietitian.
