If you have coeliac disease, only choose instant oats with a gluten-free label for the exact product, and check the nutritional information too if you need them to be sugar-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines sugar-free as no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, gluten-free Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal contains 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t sugar-free, even though no sugars have been added. Check both details on the current packaging before you choose.
You want to know whether the specific oats you’re buying are gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production, and recommends choosing a product with the Crossed Grain symbol where possible.
You mean more than ‘no added sugars’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sugar-free means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, so check the total sugars in the nutritional information.
You’re looking for individual portions or oats that are quick to prepare. Even then, the gluten-free label on the exact product—and, if you require it, the sugar content—are what matter.
If you have coeliac disease, the exact product must be labelled gluten-free. After that, the sugar content and how quickly you want to prepare your breakfast will determine which oats meet your needs.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the current packaging for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol for this specific product. Also read any warnings about wheat, barley and rye. | When I choose oats for breakfast, I want to be sure that this specific product is gluten-free, even if a standard instant version seems quicker. For around 46% of consumers, confidence in the product is the top priority. |
| Sugar-free or no added sugars | Check the ‘of which sugars’ value for the dry product per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines sugar-free as no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. | A sachet with no added sugars isn’t suitable for me if it doesn’t meet my strict sugar-free requirement; around 36% of consumers put this requirement first. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the portion size and preparation instructions, but only after you’ve checked the gluten-free label and the sugar content you require. | On busy mornings, I want to prepare a measured portion quickly, as long as the product meets my other requirements. For around 18% of consumers, convenience is the deciding factor. |
A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. Albert Heijn states that Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal contains 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g—above the 0.5 g per 100 g limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for sugar-free products.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g with your requirements, rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production. So the ingredient name ‘oats’ is no substitute for a gluten-free label on the product.
Check the label on the exact product for a gluten-free claim or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read any warnings about the possible presence of wheat, barley or rye.
Nutritional values for a portion made with milk also include what’s added. They can’t be compared directly with the sugar content per 100 g of dry oats.
To assess the dry product, use its own nutritional information per 100 g.
The listing for Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Havermout says the product is no longer part of its online range. So a listing alone doesn’t tell you whether you can buy that particular pack.
Check what’s currently available, and assess any alternative against its own gluten-free label and sugar content.
A brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular type of oats is both gluten-free and sugar-free. The differences below apply to the products listed, not every product in each brand’s range.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal is gluten-free instant oatmeal in five 40 g portions.
AH Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout is labelled gluten-free and prepared at home; it isn’t an individually portioned instant product.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Havermout is described as gluten-free oats bearing the Crossed Grain symbol.
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is a quick-to-prepare, individually portioned oat product.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Havermout consists of oat flakes for making hot porridge.
ALDI lists Golden Bridge fijne volkoren havermout in a 500 g pack.
Lidl lists CROWNFIELD biologische havermout as a 500 g product available in store.
No, not necessarily. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines sugar-free as no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. According to Albert Heijn, Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal contains no added sugars, but it does contain 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g.
Don’t choose standard oats just because the ingredient is oats. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production, and recommends choosing a product with the Crossed Grain symbol where possible. Check the gluten-free label on the exact pack.
No. This specific product isn’t a reliable choice if you’re looking for oats that are both gluten-free and sugar-free. Quaker says it may contain barley and wheat, and states that it contains 1 g of sugars per 100 g.
The label on the product you’re actually using is the reference point for that specific product. Check the gluten-free label, any warnings about gluten-containing grains and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. Don’t compare values for prepared porridge with those for dry oats.
