If you have coeliac disease and are taking porridge oats to a festival, first choose a pack with an explicit gluten-free claim. Individual portion sachets take up little space in your bag. A larger bag gives you more flexibility to measure out portions for several days, but you’ll also need a resealable container, a bowl and somewhere suitable to prepare them.
You want to bring your own porridge oats rather than relying solely on the information provided at a food stall. Check the gluten-free claim on the current packaging, and ask how cross-contamination is prevented when buying prepared dishes. The Dutch Coeliac Society also recommends asking about food preparation at festivals.
You want to bring dry porridge oats for several days at the festival and measure out your own portions. A larger bag works well if you can keep the oats sealed and dry, and have a bowl and liquid to hand.
You want to take a pre-measured portion without carrying a large pack or measuring spoon. Check how it needs to be prepared and whether you can get the liquid you’ll need.
If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free claim first. Then choose between individual portions and a larger bag based on your luggage, preparation options and how long you’ll be staying.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Read the current packaging and look for an explicit gluten-free claim. Also check for warnings about other grains. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘oats’ alone, as regular oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains. For around 50% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Taking it with you and preparing it | Check the portion size and whether you’ll need hot water, milk or other facilities to prepare it. | If I have limited luggage space, I want to be able to bring a measured portion that I can prepare on site. Practical preparation is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Supplies for several days | Check the pack size and consider how you’ll keep the oats dry and sealed. | If I’m camping for several days, I want to be able to measure out my own breakfast portions from the supplies I’ve brought. For around 20% of consumers, being self-sufficient matters most. |
Regular oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains. For example, Quaker Havermout Original states that it may contain barley and wheat.
If you have coeliac disease, choose a product with an explicit gluten-free claim on the current packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends looking for the Crossed Grain symbol where possible.
A large bag means measuring out your own portions and bringing your own utensils. Leev Simply Free overnight oats also need to be covered and refrigerated for eight hours, according to the preparation instructions.
Before buying, check whether you’ll have the liquid you need, a bowl and access to refrigeration. Without reliable refrigeration, this overnight oats preparation isn’t a practical choice.
At a festival food stall, how ingredients are stored and prepared also matters. Contact with products containing gluten could affect whether a dish is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Ask which ingredients are used and how the stall prevents cross-contamination. The Dutch Coeliac Society also mentions dry porridge oats as an option to bring with you.
AH Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout is a basic porridge oat product in a 450 g bag, for those who want to measure out their own portions.
Leev Simply Free gluten-free wholegrain porridge oats are a 450 g basic product that, according to the product information, can also be used to make overnight oats.
Elovena Natural instant oatmeal is labelled gluten-free and comes in five individual 40 g sachets.
Quaker sells regular porridge oats and quick-cooking varieties, but they aren’t automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
No. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production and processing. Choose porridge oats with an explicit gluten-free claim on the current packaging.
That depends on the festival’s rules. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends checking the organiser’s information and contacting them in advance if you want to bring your own gluten-free food.
No. Not everyone can tolerate even pure oats that haven’t been contaminated. The Dutch Coeliac Society says that a small number of people with coeliac disease react to them. Speak to your healthcare provider or a specialist dietitian about what this means for you.
Ask about both the ingredients and the measures taken to prevent cross-contamination during storage and preparation. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends checking with the stall on site rather than relying on the name of a dish alone.
