Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers with a strict sugar-free requirement

You want to know whether the sugar content meets the sugar-free threshold, not just whether no sugar has been added. According to Voedingscentrum, for solid foods you should check the sugars per 100 g.

Anyone planning quick December breakfasts

You’re looking for plain instant oats with no added sugars that are quick to prepare on a busy morning. Albert Heijn lists a preparation time of two minutes for Quaker Oats Express Naturel, using either a microwave or a saucepan.

Shoppers checking for soya, wheat or barley

You need a product whose ingredients and any warnings are suitable for your diet. Quaker says Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat; the Protein Naturel variety contains soya ingredients.

What should you look for when choosing?

Before doing your Christmas shopping, decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugar. Then compare the preparation method, ingredients and allergens with what you need.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Strictly sugar-free Compare sugars per 100 g with the maximum threshold of 0.5 g per 100 g that Voedingscentrum gives for solid foods. No added sugars is a different claim. If I really need sugar-free food for my Christmas shopping, I don’t want to rely on the words ‘no added sugars’ alone. For around 40% of consumers, this strict sugar threshold comes first.
Quick preparation Check the preparation time and whether you need a microwave, a saucepan or hot water. On a busy December morning, I want to be able to make oats with the equipment I have to hand. For around 30% of consumers, ease of preparation is the top priority.
Protein and ingredients Compare the protein per serving and read the ingredients list. Quaker lists 8.3 g of protein per 45 g serving for Oats Express Protein Naturel, and names soya protein and soya lecithin as ingredients. If the ingredients are what matter most for my breakfast, I want to know what a protein variety adds to the regular oat base. Around 20% of consumers prioritise protein and ingredients.
Allergens Check the current packaging for both the ingredients and any statements about possible traces. Oats as the main ingredient do not, by themselves, mean that a product is gluten-free. If I need to avoid soya, wheat or barley, the packaging tells me whether these oats are suitable for my diet. For around 10% of consumers, suitability is the main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming no added sugars means sugar-free

    Voedingscentrum treats these as different claims: a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally. Quaker Oats Express Naturel lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g, which is above the sugar-free threshold.

    If sugar-free is a strict requirement, check the sugars per 100 g on the packaging.

  • Assuming a fruity instant mix is automatically free from added sugars

    Albert Heijn lists sugar as an ingredient in Elovena Instant Oatmeal Vitality, along with sweetened dried pineapple and papaya. This variety therefore isn’t suitable if you need a product with no added sugars.

    Check the full ingredients list for fruit varieties, too; the flavour name doesn’t tell you which ingredients have been added.

  • Assuming oats are automatically gluten-free or soya-free

    Quaker says Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat. Oats Express Protein Naturel contains soya protein and soya lecithin.

    If you have dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging, and choose only a product with a clear statement that meets your needs.

  • Treating an old product listing as a way to buy it

    Jumbo’s product listing for Młyny Stoisław Instant Havermout says the item is no longer part of its online range.

    Check availability with your chosen retailer before adding this product to your Christmas shopping list.

Brands to consider

Quaker

Quaker offers Oats Express Naturel and Oats Express Protein Naturel, among other products: two instant varieties with different ingredients.

  • According to Quaker, Oats Express Naturel contains wholegrain oats and 1 g of sugars per 100 g. The Protein Naturel variety lists 8.3 g of protein per 45 g serving.
  • The listed sugar levels of 1 g and 1.2 g per 100 g are above the sugar-free threshold. Protein Naturel also contains soya protein and soya lecithin.

Elovena

Elovena Instant Oatmeal Vitality is a flavoured instant oat option for anyone considering a fruity variety.

  • According to the product information from Albert Heijn, this variety is prepared with 125 ml of boiling water or milk.
  • The ingredients list includes sugar and sweetened dried pineapple and papaya. This particular variety doesn’t meet a no-added-sugars requirement.

Młyny Stoisław

Młyny Stoisław Instant Havermout was listed by Jumbo as an instant product containing oats.

  • The product listing describes a three-minute preparation time using warm milk or water.
  • Jumbo says this product is no longer part of its online range, so don’t count on being able to buy it without checking availability first.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between sugar-free and no added sugars?

For solid foods, sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; no added sugars means that no sugars or other foods used for their sweetening properties have been added. Voedingscentrum explains that a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally.

Is Quaker Oats Express Naturel sugar-free?

No, not according to the sugar-free threshold: Quaker lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g, while Voedingscentrum gives a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g. Albert Heijn does, however, list this variety as having no added sugars.

Is Quaker Oats Express Protein Naturel suitable for a soya-free diet?

No. According to Quaker, this particular variety contains soya protein and soya lecithin. Always check the packaging ingredients again when choosing a different product.

Are instant oats automatically gluten-free?

No, the term oats doesn’t mean that by itself. For example, Quaker says Oats Express Naturel may contain barley and wheat; if you follow a gluten-free diet, check that the packaging explicitly confirms the product meets your requirements.

What preparation details should I check before buying?

Check how much liquid and what equipment the variety you’ve chosen requires. Albert Heijn lists a two-minute preparation time for Quaker Oats Express Naturel using either a microwave or a saucepan, while Elovena Instant Oatmeal Vitality is prepared with 125 ml of boiling water or milk according to the product information.