Who this choice is for

If you eat porridge regularly

You’re looking for a simple base for your regular breakfasts and want to choose a pack you can use up. You’d rather add your own fruit, cinnamon or yoghurt.

If you compare fibre values

You want to see how much fibre the dry product contains per 100 g in the nutritional information, rather than relying on a description on the front of the pack.

If you need a quick breakfast and check for allergens

You look for fine flakes to make porridge quickly, and also read the ingredients and allergen information. If you have coeliac disease, you should also check for the gluten-free mark, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

What to look for in porridge oats

First, compare the nutritional information for dry porridge oats. Then decide which pack size, flake texture and any allergen requirements suit the way you’ll use them.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Fibre Check the fibre per 100 g of dry porridge oats. EUR-Lex sets the threshold for the EU ‘high fibre’ claim at at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g. If fibre is my main reason for choosing porridge oats, I want to be able to compare the value across products. For around 25% of consumers, this check comes first.
Pack size Check the pack size and choose an amount you can use up if you eat it regularly, and store somewhere dry. When I eat the same breakfast regularly, I don’t want to buy more than I’ll use. For around 25% of consumers, choosing the right amount matters most.
Type of flakes Check whether the flakes are fine or coarse, and read the preparation instructions if you want to make hot porridge. When I need breakfast to be ready quickly, I look for a flake texture that suits the way I prepare it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this.
Allergens Read the allergen information. If you have coeliac disease, check whether the pack carries the official Crossed Grain mark, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If I need to avoid gluten, I need to know whether this particular pack is suitable. For around 25% of consumers, this check comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘source of fibre’ to mean ‘high in fibre’

    These claims don’t mean the same thing. A product can contain fibre without meeting the threshold for the EU ‘high fibre’ claim.

    Check the fibre per 100 g of the dry product; EUR-Lex sets the threshold at at least 6 g per 100 g.

  • Choosing a pack without checking its size

    If you eat porridge oats regularly, it matters whether you can use up the whole pack before the quality starts to deteriorate.

    Compare the pack size with how much you use, and store the oats in a dry place in a tightly sealed container.

  • Comparing prepared porridge with dry porridge oats

    The nutritional value per serving changes when you add milk, water or toppings. This means the nutritional information for a prepared serving cannot be directly compared with that for 100 g of dry porridge oats.

    Check the label to see whether the table refers to the product as sold or to prepared porridge.

  • Assuming regular oats are gluten-free

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products may be unsuitable for people with coeliac disease due to contact with gluten during processing.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the allergen information and official Crossed Grain mark on every pack.

Brands to compare

Jumbo

Worth considering if you’re looking for regular wholegrain porridge oats in a larger pack.

  • The 1 kg pack of Jumbo Fine Wholegrain Flakes lists 10.0 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The pack reviewed lists oats and gluten, and may contain barley, rye and wheat. Don’t judge whether it’s suitable for coeliac disease by its fibre content.

Quaker

Worth considering if you want to compare the fibre and beta-glucan content of a branded product.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the 600 g pack of Quaker porridge oats lists 9 g of fibre and 3.6 g of beta-glucans per 100 g.
  • The product information says it may contain wheat and barley. Check the pack if gluten is a factor in your choice.

Brinta

Worth considering if you’re looking for extra-fine oats for porridge that’s quick to prepare.

  • Albert Heijn describes Brinta porridge oats as extra-fine flakes that are quick to prepare.
  • To compare dry porridge oats, use the nutritional information for the product as sold, not just that for a serving prepared with milk. The product information also says it may contain wheat and rye.

Golden Bridge

An Aldi own-brand option to consider if you’re looking for fine wholegrain porridge oats.

  • The Aldi product information reviewed describes fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack.
  • If fibre is a priority, read the nutritional information on the pack and check the fibre per 100 g.

Porridge oats at Joybuy

These Quaker porridge oats are a branded option if you want to compare the fibre content of the dry product when choosing oats for breakfast or overnight oats.

Quaker Oatmeal, 600 g pack

Quaker Oatmeal 600 g

An option if you want to compare the fibre per 100 g when choosing oats for porridge. Albert Heijn lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g for the 600 g pack of Quaker porridge oats. If you need to avoid gluten, check the allergen information on the pack; if you have coeliac disease, the official Crossed Grain mark is important, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

When can porridge oats be described as ‘high in fibre’?

For the EU ‘high fibre’ claim, EUR-Lex sets the threshold at at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the fibre value for the porridge oats as sold; ‘source of fibre’ is a different claim.

Can I eat regular porridge oats if I have coeliac disease?

Regular porridge oats aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats are only suitable if the pack carries the official Crossed Grain mark. Always check the label of the product you choose.

How should I store a large pack of porridge oats?

Store porridge oats in a cool, dry place and seal the pack tightly after use. Choose an amount you can use up before the quality starts to deteriorate.