Which type of oats suits you?

If fibre per 100 g is your priority

You want to mix a small amount into yoghurt or a cold bowl, or use it as a topping. Oat bran works well for this, but it isn’t a direct substitute for a bowl of rolled oats.

If you want a neutral base for guests

You want to add your own toppings to porridge and choose between serving it hot or cold. Plain wholegrain rolled oats provide a different base from a pre-sweetened flavoured portion.

If you’re short on time before heading out

You want to measure out a portion quickly or take it with you. For a pre-portioned pack, fibre, sugars and ingredients per 100 g are still key factors in your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to serve a topping or a bowl of porridge. Then compare the nutritional information on the same basis, and make sure you can keep milk or yoghurt chilled if you’re taking it with you.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fibre Compare fibre per 100 g of dry product. For the EU claim ‘high fibre’, Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a minimum of 6 g of fibre per 100 g or 3 g per 100 kcal. If I’m only mixing a little oat into yoghurt, I mainly want to know how much fibre it contains per 100 g. Around 42% of consumers prioritise fibre density.
Ingredients Read the ingredients and compare sugars per 100 g; don’t treat a flavoured variety as the same product as plain porridge oats. For a brunch with my own toppings, I want to decide what goes into my porridge. A plain ingredient list is the top purchasing priority for around 33% of consumers.
Preparing food outdoors Choose a type that suits the facilities available. Store fresh milk or yoghurt at 4 °C, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If I’m taking a bowl to a barbecue, it needs to be practical to prepare and serve chilled. Ease of use outdoors is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘source of fibre’ and ‘high fibre’ mean the same thing

    A wholegrain appearance or a general reference to fibre doesn’t tell you whether a product meets the EU requirements for the ‘high fibre’ claim.

    Check the fibre value in the nutritional information and compare it with the threshold of 6 g per 100 g or 3 g per 100 kcal set out in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

  • Treating a flavoured portion as plain porridge oats

    According to Quaker Nederland, Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains 1 g of sugars per 100 g. For Quaker Havermout Kaneel, Joybuy lists 19 g of sugars per 100 g, and sugar is included in the ingredients.

    Compare the exact varieties before deciding whether you’d rather add flavour yourself with toppings.

  • Comparing nutritional values for cooked and dry products

    The nutritional information shown for Brinta Havermout on Albert Heijn applies to the prepared product. It isn’t directly comparable with 100 g of dry oats.

    When comparing products per 100 g, use the values for the dry product shown on the pack.

  • Leaving a bowl with dairy unrefrigerated

    A cold bowl made with milk or yoghurt needs to be kept chilled. Around the barbecue, bowls and utensils may also come into contact with raw animal products.

    Take dry oats separately, keep fresh dairy at 4 °C as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and use clean bowls and spoons that are kept separate from raw meat and fish.

Brands to consider

Quaker

Offers both plain porridge oats and quick portions; ingredients vary by variety.

  • Albert Heijn lists Quaker Havermout 600 g as 100% wholegrain oats, with 9 g of fibre per 100 g. Quaker Nederland also lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g for Oats Express Naturel.
  • A flavoured variety isn’t interchangeable with a plain one: Joybuy lists 19 g of sugars per 100 g for Quaker Havermout Kaneel.

Brinta

Offers extra-fine rolled oats for hot preparation.

  • The fine oats are a good option if you’d rather not use coarser rolled oats.
  • The nutritional values for Brinta Havermout on Albert Heijn apply to the prepared product. For a comparison with dry oats, use the values on the pack.

Jumbo

Offers fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats for anyone putting together their own bowl or brunch bowl.

  • For the fine and coarse wholegrain products listed, Jumbo gives 10 g of fibre per 100 g and lists wholegrain rolled oats as an ingredient.
  • With loose oats, you’ll need to measure out the portions and arrange the preparation yourself.

Lidl

Lists coarse rolled oats in a 500 g pack.

  • The type of product and pack size can help you decide whether coarse oats suit your planned preparation.
  • Check the fibre per 100 g and the ingredients on the pack you choose before classifying it as high fibre.

Aldi / Golden Bridge

Golden Bridge offers, among other products, fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack.

  • Fine oats have a different texture from coarse rolled oats.
  • If fibre per 100 g is a deciding factor for you, compare the nutritional information for the exact variety on the pack.

Oats as a base for your barbecue

These porridge oat products suit a plan to put together your own breakfast or brunch bowl. Choose how you’ll prepare them before you set off, and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g on the pack for the variety you want.

Quaker porridge oats, 600 g pack

Quaker porridge oats 600 g

An option if you want to take porridge oats as the base for a brunch bowl you can customise yourself.

Check the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and preparation instructions on this pack before deciding what to prepare in advance.

View at Joybuy
Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal, 500 g pack

Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g

An option for a porridge bowl with your choice of toppings.

Check the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g on the pack, and choose a preparation method that’s practical at the barbecue.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

When can porridge oats be called ‘high fibre’?

Under the EU requirements in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘high fibre’ claim can be used when a product contains at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g or 3 g per 100 kcal. Check the nutritional information for the exact variety: Albert Heijn lists 15 g of fibre per 100 g for Smaakt Haverzemelen and 9 g for Quaker Havermout 600 g; Jumbo lists 10 g for the wholegrain porridge oats mentioned above.

Can I take porridge oats with yoghurt to a barbecue?

Yes, as long as you can keep the yoghurt chilled and serve the bowl hygienically. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing fresh dairy products at 4 °C; keep bowls and spoons separate from raw meat and fish too.