When comparing instant oats for a high-protein breakfast, check both protein and ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per serving. ‘No added sugar’ does not mean the product is low in total sugars. According to Albert Heijn product information, Quaker Oats Express Naturel Protein contains 22 g of protein and 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g, while some cups with no added sugar have a higher total sugar content. Check the ingredients and allergen information too: protein-enriched varieties may contain soya or milk.
You’re looking for a quick oat base without a sweet flavour mix. Compare the protein per 100 g and per serving: adding milk, yoghurt or fromage frais will change the nutritional value of your prepared bowl.
You want to know whether a product has no added sugar, contains no sweeteners or lists a low amount of total sugars. These are different things to look out for, especially in cups containing fruit or milk powder.
You’re looking for an option that meets your requirements for gluten, milk or soya. Check the allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety, rather than relying on the general product name.
Start with the nutritional information for the dry product and the serving size you actually use. Then read the ingredients and preparation instructions, so a claim on the front of the pack isn’t the only thing guiding your choice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving | Compare protein per 100 g and calculate the amount in your usual serving; also check where the added protein comes from. | If I want to put together a protein-focused breakfast with instant oats, what matters most is how much protein my serving provides. For around 36% of consumers, protein content comes first. |
| Added sugar and sweeteners | Read the ingredients list alongside the statement about added sugar, and check separately for sweeteners. | I want a neutral base and avoid both added sugar and sweeteners. This is the main requirement for around 29% of consumers. |
| Total sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per serving; don’t rely on the claim about added sugar alone. | With a cup containing fruit or milk ingredients, I want to know how much sugar is in the product, regardless of the claim on the front. Total sugar content matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens and preparation | Check the allergen statement, any gluten-free label and whether you can prepare the variety with what you have available. | If I need to avoid soya or milk, or need a gluten-free option, the exact ingredients determine my choice. For around 14% of consumers, requirements like these and the preparation method make all the difference. |
A product can state that it has no added sugar and still contain sugars from its ingredients. According to Albert Heijn product information, AH Oat & Go Appel Kaneel contains 0 g of added sugar but 18 g of total sugars per 100 g; Quaker Protein Naturel contains 12 g of total sugars per 100 g.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the same basis and check how much you use each time.
A figure per 100 g of dry product isn’t the same as the nutritional value of a prepared bowl. For example, Albert Heijn gives figures for Brinta Havermout prepared with 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk.
Compare dry products on the same basis, then assess the nutritional value of your whole serving, including anything you add.
The Quaker Oats Express Naturel Protein described here contains soya and cereals containing gluten; Quaker Protein Naturel also contains milk. So a protein claim doesn’t tell you whether a variety meets your allergen requirements.
Read the ingredients and allergen statement for the exact flavour and pack. Check for a gluten-free or sweetener-free label separately if it matters to your choice.
The differences below apply to the products mentioned, not to a brand’s entire range.
Albert Heijn describes two separate plain protein varieties: Oats Express Naturel Protein and Protein Naturel in a single-serving cup.
The Natural Instant Oatmeal described here is a plain, gluten-free instant porridge in individual sachets.
Its own-brand Oat & Go Appel Kaneel comes in a cup which, according to the product information, is prepared with hot water.
According to Albert Heijn’s ingredient information, the Brinta Havermout described here consists of oat flakes.
This selection focuses on an oat base that’s quick to prepare and has no added sugar. Check the current label if protein or total sugars per serving will determine your choice.
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An option if you want to make porridge quickly with no added sugar; the product description gives a preparation time of 2 minutes.
According to the description, the product contains 85% wholegrain oats and 15% soya protein. It contains soya and cereals containing gluten, and may contain wheat and barley.
Check the current packaging to compare protein and total sugars per 100 g and per serving.
No. A product with no added sugar can still contain sugars from ingredients such as fruit or milk powder. For example, according to Albert Heijn, Quaker Protein Naturel has no added sugar but contains 12 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure too.
First compare the same amount of dry product, then check your actual serving size. According to Albert Heijn product information, Quaker Oats Express Naturel Protein contains 22 g of protein and 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g; gluten-free Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal contains 14 g of protein and also 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g. If you need a gluten-free option, that could lead to a different choice than comparing protein alone.
Yes. According to the product information, the Quaker Oats Express variety and Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal described here can be made with water. Water doesn’t add protein, so assess the protein in the serving of oats you use and in any other ingredients separately.
It depends on the variety. The Quaker Oats Express Naturel Protein described here contains soya and cereals containing gluten; Quaker Protein Naturel also contains milk. Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal is described as gluten-free. Before buying, read the allergen statement on the packaging of the exact product.
