Camper planning breakfast for several days
You’re taking oats for several mornings and can make up your own portions. Once opened, a larger pack will need to be kept in a dry, securely sealed container.
Which pack is best for you?
Camper who’d rather not measure out portions
You want to pack one pre-measured portion for each morning. Even with individual sachets, check that the preparation method suits the liquid, bowl and cooking facilities you’re taking with you.
Camper with coeliac disease
You can’t simply choose ordinary oats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that, for people with coeliac disease, oat products bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol are suitable. Also watch out for cross-contamination during storage and preparation.
What should you look for when camping at a festival?
Decide how many breakfasts you want to take and how you’ll prepare and store the oats at the campsite. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact product variant.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and storage | Compare the amount in each pack with the number of breakfasts you’re planning. If you open a pack, take a dry, securely sealed container for storing it. | I want to take oats for several mornings and divide them into my own portions, without leaving an opened pack lying around. This would be the main consideration for around 40% of consumers. |
| Preparing breakfast at the campsite | Check how much liquid you’ll need and whether your chosen product can be made cold, in a pan or in a microwave. | If I want breakfast without measuring anything out, the preparation method still needs to suit the equipment I have at the campsite. Around 30% of consumers would place most importance on this practical convenience. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Compare the ingredients and nutritional values per portion. For flavoured varieties, check the sugar content and the protein sources used. | I want to know what’s in one portion of my breakfast, rather than assume all types of oats are the same. This would be the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Suitable for coeliac disease | Check the exact pack for the official Crossed Grain symbol and take steps to avoid cross-contamination during preparation. | If I have coeliac disease, I can’t assume ordinary oats are suitable, even for a short stay. For around 10% of consumers, this would be the primary requirement. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘instant’ means you won’t need any equipment
A quick preparation time doesn’t mean you can eat it without a bowl, liquid or heat. Jumbo says Quaker Oats Express Naturel can be made hot with milk, or eaten cold with water, milk, yoghurt or quark.
Read the instructions on your pack before setting off, and take whatever you need to prepare it that way.
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Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free
Oat products can be contaminated with gluten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that, for people with coeliac disease, only oat products bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol are suitable.
Check the label on the exact product and make sure bowls, spoons and storage containers don’t come into contact with food containing gluten.
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Leaving an opened pack loose in your tent
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing oats in a cool, dry, dark place in a securely sealed container. This can also help keep pests away from an opened pack.
Take a dry, securely sealed container with you and close it again after each portion.
Oat brands to consider
Quaker
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is an option with individual sachets if you’d rather not measure out portions at the campsite.
- Albert Heijn lists twelve 27 g portions; Jumbo describes both a hot preparation method and a cold option mixed with water, milk, yoghurt or quark.
- Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the exact pack. The product information lists oats and possible traces of soya, barley and wheat.
Brinta
Brinta Havermout is made with fine flakes in a larger pack, for anyone who wants to make up their own portions.
- According to Albert Heijn, the product page lists 100% oat flakes as the ingredient and says they can be prepared with water or milk.
- These aren’t individual portions. The product information also mentions possible traces of wheat and rye.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both fine wholegrain oats in larger packs and individual portions of oats.
- These pack formats let you choose between making up your own portions and taking pre-measured ones.
- Jumbo lists sugar among the ingredients in Havermout Porties Original. Compare the labels if you want to check how the ingredients differ between varieties.
Lidl
Lidl offers coarse oat flakes in a 500 g pack in store.
- The product page says they can be eaten with milk, yoghurt or quark.
- Coarse flakes aren’t the same as fine instant oats. Read the pack if you need a particular preparation method at the campsite.
ALDI
ALDI lists Golden Bridge fine wholegrain oats in a 500 g pack.
- A larger pack suits campers who want to make up their own portions for several breakfasts.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack if they’re important to your choice.
Oats in individual sachets on Joybuy
This selection features pre-measured portions of oats for anyone who’d rather not measure them out at the campsite. Make sure the preparation method suits the facilities you’re taking with you.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For anyone who wants to take a pre-measured portion for each campsite breakfast.
The product description lists twelve 27 g sachets and a two-minute preparation time in a pan or microwave. Check the exact pack to see which liquid you’ll need and whether you can prepare it with the facilities available at your campsite.
If you have an allergy or need to avoid gluten, also check the ingredients and allergen information on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make instant oats at the campsite using only hot water?
It depends on the exact product, so don’t assume hot water will be enough. Jumbo says Quaker Oats Express Naturel can be made hot with milk, or eaten cold with water, milk, yoghurt or quark. Follow the instructions on your pack and take a suitable bowl.
How should I store an opened pack of oats in a tent?
Keep it dry and securely sealed, in the coolest, darkest place you can find. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping an opened pack in a tightly sealed container to help prevent pests.
Are ordinary oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Not necessarily: oat products can be contaminated with gluten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that oat products bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol are suitable for people with coeliac disease. Check the exact pack and take care to avoid cross-contamination when preparing them.