Shoppers checking vegan ingredients
You want to check whether the ingredients suit a vegan diet. If allergens are relevant to you, read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements too.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Busy breakfast eaters comparing fibre
You’re looking for porridge oats that are quick to prepare and want to compare the fibre content per 100 g alongside the other nutritional information.
Shoppers keeping an eye on the protein source
You’re looking for a quick plant-based breakfast with a protein-enriched option and want to know which ingredients it contains, such as soya.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a vegan breakfast, check the ingredients first, then compare fibre per 100 g. Preparation time and protein source can then help you choose between a plain and a protein-enriched option.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list for animal-derived ingredients, and look at the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements. | If I eat a vegan diet and allergens are relevant to me, I want to know whether both types of information suit my needs. For around 37% of shoppers, this may be the top priority. |
| Fibre and ingredients | Compare fibre per 100 g; at least 6 g per 100 g is one EU condition for making a ‘high fibre’ claim. Check sugars, salt and ingredients too. | I want to choose porridge oats that demonstrably qualify as high fibre without overlooking the rest of the ingredients. For around 36% of shoppers, this may be the main consideration. |
| Preparation and protein source | Check the preparation instructions and, for a protein-enriched option, the protein source used and the protein content per 100 g. | If I need breakfast to be quick or am looking for a protein-enriched option, I want to know in advance how to prepare it and which protein source it contains. For around 27% of shoppers, speed or extra protein may be the main reason for choosing it. |
Common mistakes
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Treating a fibre claim as an overall assessment
The EU condition for making a ‘high fibre’ claim relates to the fibre content, not to every other quality of a product.
Use fibre per 100 g as a point of comparison, and also read the nutritional information, ingredients and serving size.
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Assuming ordinary oats are automatically gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats may come into contact with gluten during processing. This matters if you have coeliac disease.
If you have coeliac disease, check the packaging for the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the allergen information.
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Overlooking soya in protein-enriched porridge oats
The protein varieties from Albert Heijn and Quaker included in this comparison use soya as a protein source. This is relevant if you avoid soya or are allergic to it.
Read the ingredients list and choose only an option with a protein source that suits your needs.
Brands to consider
Quaker
The Oats Express Naturel and Protein options have different ingredients for a quick porridge breakfast.
- Quaker Netherlands says Oats Express Naturel is made from wholegrain oats; the stated nutritional information lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat. The Protein option contains soya protein; check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety.
Albert Heijn
AH Wholegrain Protein Porridge Oats is a quick-to-prepare option labelled as vegan.
- Albert Heijn lists 9.1 g of fibre and 20 g of protein per 100 g for this option.
- The product contains soya and states that it may also contain milk, among other allergens. Check the packaging if allergens are relevant to you.
Elovena
Natural Instant Oatmeal is a plain, portioned option labelled as gluten-free.
- Albert Heijn lists gluten-free wholegrain flakes and salt as ingredients for this product, with 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
- If you’re looking for an explicit vegan label, check the current packaging. Preparing it with milk is not vegan, so choose a suitable plant-based liquid instead.
Jumbo
Jumbo stocks both fine wholegrain porridge oats in a large pack and individual portions of porridge oats.
- A large pack lets you measure out your own servings, while portion packs offer another way to get the amount right.
- For each own-brand option, check the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and preparation instructions before choosing it as a high-fibre instant option.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge Fine Wholegrain Porridge Oats is a basic option in a 500 g pack.
- The fine flakes are an option if you want to measure out your own servings.
- Check the packaging to make sure the ingredients, fibre content and preparation suit your choice of vegan instant porridge oats.
Comparing three types of porridge oats
This combined ranking takes into account a vegan label or the listed ingredients, fibre per 100 g and quick preparation. It is not a ranking from an independent product test; product information comes from Albert Heijn and Joybuy.
| Position | Product | Features | Why is it in this position? | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AH Wholegrain Protein Porridge Oats 350 g | Labelled as vegan; 9.1 g of fibre and 20 g of protein per 100 g; takes around 2 minutes to prepare. | Albert Heijn lists a vegan label, fibre content and quick preparation. The product contains soya. | Albert Heijn |
| 2 | Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal Gluten-Free 5 x 40 g | 11 g of fibre and 14 g of protein per 100 g; wholegrain flakes and salt; can be prepared with hot water. | Albert Heijn lists ingredients with no animal-derived ingredients and gives the fibre content. Check the packaging if you also require an explicit vegan label. | Albert Heijn |
| 3 | Quaker Express Protein Porridge Oats 302 g | 7.2 g of fibre and 22 g of protein per 100 g; takes around 2 minutes to prepare; contains soya. | Joybuy lists a vegan diet preference and the nutritional values shown. For your own choice, also read the current ingredients and allergen information, including statements about soya, wheat and barley. | Joybuy |
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can instant porridge oats be called ‘high fibre’?
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product meets one of the conditions for making a ‘high fibre’ claim if it contains at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g or 3 g per 100 kcal. Check the nutritional information to see which unit the stated fibre content refers to.
Are instant porridge oats automatically vegan?
No. Check the ingredients of the specific variety for animal-derived ingredients. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, vegans avoid dairy, eggs and additives of animal origin, among other things. If you have an allergy, check the separate allergen information too.
Can I choose ordinary porridge oats if I have coeliac disease?
A general description such as porridge oats is not enough to establish this. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the possibility of gluten contamination during processing and advises people with coeliac disease to choose oat products bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol. Check the allergen information too.
Which plant-based drink can I use with porridge oats?
Choose a plant-based drink with ingredients that suit your diet and follow the preparation instructions for the porridge oats. If nutritional value matters to your choice, compare the drink’s nutritional information, including any added nutrients.