Who is this relevant to?

People with coeliac disease

For you, the label on the specific pack is what matters: oats can come into contact with gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing oats with the Crossed Grain symbol wherever possible.

Breakfast eaters who watch their portions

You want to assess the amount of oats and any additions as part of your eating habits. A gluten-free claim doesn’t tell you how much energy the prepared meal contains.

People who want to make a quick choice

You’re looking for a convenient breakfast, but you also want to check the gluten information and nutritional details on portion packs, flavoured varieties or replacement products.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten information on the pack first. Then compare the portion and nutritional information for the oats and anything you add to them.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important for?
Gluten information Look for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the pack. Also check the current ingredients and allergen information. I have coeliac disease and don’t want to assume a product is suitable based on the word ‘oats’ alone. For around 36% of consumers, checking for gluten comes first.
Portion and energy Compare the amount per portion with what you actually use, and factor in any additions when assessing the whole meal. If I’m watching my weight, I want to know how much oats are in my bowl and what the rest of the preparation adds. Around 29% of consumers give this portion awareness top priority.
Ingredients Check the ingredients and compare fibre and sugars on the same basis, for example per 100 g. I want a straightforward wholegrain base and to choose what I add myself. For around 21% of consumers, ingredients are the most important consideration.
Convenience and availability Check the current product listing, and if you choose an alternative, check the gluten information on its pack again. I want to find suitable oats quickly without assuming a replacement is right for me. Convenience matters most to around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all oats are suitable for coeliac disease

    Oats can come into contact with gluten during the supply chain. Quaker states that it cannot guarantee its products are completely gluten-free.

    So check the specific pack for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. Don’t rely on the brand or type of grain alone.

  • Taking a gluten-free claim as an indication of suitability for a weight goal

    Gluten-free doesn’t describe the energy content of the prepared meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 146 kcal for 40 g of porridge oats, before additions.

    Compare the amount you use with the nutritional information per portion, and include milk, yoghurt or toppings when assessing the whole bowl.

  • Using an old product listing as proof that a product is available

    Jumbo stated that the listed 450 g pack of Lekker Vrij van Gluten porridge oats was no longer part of its online range. So an old product page doesn’t tell you what you can buy now.

    Check the current listing or the pack in store. If you choose an alternative, check again that it meets your gluten requirements.

  • Relying only on the online product description

    Albert Heijn warns that product ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change.

    When you buy a new pack, check the ingredients, allergen information and gluten-free label on the packaging.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Gluten-Free Wholegrain Porridge Oats, 450 g, as a specific product variety.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety contains gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes and 11 g of fibre per 100 g. Albert Heijn also states that it is made in a completely gluten-free production environment.
  • Ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. Check the pack you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a Lekker Vrij van Gluten range, which includes a listed 450 g variety of porridge oats.

  • Jumbo’s product information stated that this variety contained gluten-free oats and carried the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • Jumbo stated on that product page that the variety was no longer part of its online range. If you choose another product, check its packaging again.

Quaker

Quaker sells standard porridge oats and portion packs.

  • The range offers different pack formats for people who don’t need gluten-free porridge oats.
  • Quaker says that, because of possible cross-contamination, it cannot guarantee that its products are completely gluten-free. So if you have coeliac disease, don’t treat standard Quaker porridge oats as a gluten-free option.

ALDI

ALDI lists gluten-free porridge oats as part of its gluten-free breakfast cereal range.

  • The range information confirms that gluten-free porridge oats are a product category at ALDI.
  • A general mention in the range doesn’t tell you which variety you’ll find. Check the gluten-free label on the specific pack.

Lidl

Alongside standard porridge oats, Lidl has mentioned a changing range of gluten-free products.

  • If you shop there, it’s worth checking the packaging of any specific product you find.
  • In the range information consulted, Lidl said that additional gluten-free products were not available at the time. Don’t assume a specific variety is available without checking the current product information.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are standard porridge oats suitable if you have coeliac disease?

Not automatically: oats can come into contact with gluten during the supply chain. So check the specific pack for a gluten-free label or, ideally, the Crossed Grain symbol, as recommended for oats by the Dutch Coeliac Society.

Can someone with coeliac disease also react to gluten-free oats?

Yes. Not everyone with coeliac disease can tolerate pure gluten-free oats. If you have symptoms or are unsure about eating oats, speak to your doctor or a specialist dietitian.

Will gluten-free porridge oats help you lose weight?

No, a gluten-free claim says nothing about weight loss. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that long-term weight change is linked to the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. The portion and any additions also count towards the prepared meal.

What should I compare when putting together a bowl of porridge?

Compare the amount of oats you use and the nutritional information for the whole meal, including any additions. If you have coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free label on the porridge oats packaging.