If you plan lunches in advance
You make several lunches for work each week and can portion out the oat flakes yourself. A larger pack lets you choose how much to take for each lunch.
Who are these options for?
If you have little time between meetings
You don’t want to measure out a portion at work and are looking for a pre-measured serving that you can prepare using the facilities available.
If you need to choose gluten-free oats
If you have coeliac disease, checking the gluten-free label and the official Crossed Grain mark is more important than convenience. The Voedingscentrum warns that ordinary oat products aren’t automatically suitable.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to portion the oats yourself at work and what you can use to prepare your lunch. Then check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen.
Instant oats in individual portions
Choose this if: you want to take individual portions with you and don’t want to measure them out at work.
Bear in mind: how the product needs to be prepared. A portion designed for the microwave requires a bowl, liquid and a microwave.
Fine oat flakes from a larger pack
Choose this if: you prepare several lunches in advance and want to decide how many oat flakes to take with you.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to portion them out and take your servings with you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and packaging | Check the pack size and whether it contains individual portions or you’ll need to measure them out yourself. | When I prepare lunches in advance, I want to decide how much to take each day. Around 46% of consumers say this flexibility is their top priority. |
| Preparing it at work | Check how much liquid you’ll need and whether the instructions call for a microwave, pan or hot water. | Between meetings, I want to be able to make lunch with the facilities available at work. For around 36% of consumers, a quick, practical preparation method comes first. |
| Gluten and allergens | Check the current ingredients and allergen information. If you have coeliac disease, also look for the official Crossed Grain mark, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. | If I have coeliac disease, I need to be able to identify which oats I’m choosing, even if they’re quick to prepare. Checking the label is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing instant oats without checking the preparation instructions
Quick microwave instructions aren’t much help if you don’t have a microwave, bowl or the liquid you need at work.
Read the pack instructions before taking portions with you for several working days.
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Assuming ordinary oats are suitable for coeliac disease
According to the Voedingscentrum, ordinary oat products aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease, as oats can come into contact with gluten during processing.
Check the current label and, in this case, choose oats bearing the official Crossed Grain mark.
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Choosing added ingredients without reading the label
A plain oat product and a blended powder mix won’t necessarily have the same ingredients or nutritional information.
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific variety you intend to use.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Offers both regular oats and the individually portioned Oats Express range.
- Jumbo lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel as containing twelve portions, with two minutes’ microwave cooking at 800 W.
- Check that this preparation method suits your workplace, and read the allergen information for the variety you choose.
Brinta
An option if you’re looking for fine oat flakes and want to make up your own portions.
- Albert Heijn describes Brinta Havermout flakes as extra fine; the product information states that they’re 100% oat flakes.
- If you need a gluten-free option, check the label: this variety may also contain traces of wheat and rye.
Jumbo huismerk
Worth considering if you want to buy fine wholegrain oat flakes in a larger pack and portion them yourself.
- Jumbo lists fine wholegrain oat flakes in 500 g and 1 kg packs.
- With a larger pack, you’ll need a way to portion out servings to take to work.
ALDI Golden Bridge
An option if you’re looking for a basic pack of fine wholegrain oats to portion out yourself.
- ALDI lists Golden Bridge Fijne Volkoren Havermout in a 500 g pack.
- Check the pack for preparation instructions, ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose.
Lidl havervlokken
An option if you’re looking for regular oat flakes and prepare your lunches in advance.
- Lidl describes a 500 g pack of oat flakes.
- Check the pack for preparation instructions and ingredients; regular oat flakes aren’t necessarily instant portions.
Products for lunch at your desk
These oat products and powdered oat mixes could be suitable for lunch at work. For each product, decide whether you want oat flakes or a blended mix, and whether you can prepare it at your workplace.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g
An oat option if you want to keep preparation to a minimum for lunch at your desk. Check the pack to see what liquid and heating facilities you’ll need.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein, 302 g
An oat product for a quick lunch if you can follow the preparation instructions at work. Check the ingredients for this Protein variety, and don’t assume it comes in individual portions without checking the label.
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Family Whole Oatmeal Breakfast Powder, 838 g
An oat breakfast powder for anyone who wants to prepare a mix during their lunch break. This isn’t a pack of regular oat flakes, so read the ingredients and check that you can prepare it at work.
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Family Whole Oatmeal Walnut Powder, 838 g
A powdered oat mix with walnut for anyone who wants to prepare a mix at lunchtime instead of using regular oat flakes. Check the current allergen information and follow the preparation instructions on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
When are instant portions handy for lunch at your desk?
Instant portions are handy if you don’t want to measure out the oats yourself and can prepare them as directed at your workplace. Check in advance how much liquid you’ll need and what heating facilities the product requires.
Can I have regular oats for lunch too?
Yes. The Voedingscentrum also lists oats as an option for lunch. Choose a portion size and preparation method that suit your lunch break.
Are oats automatically gluten-free if you have coeliac disease?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ordinary oat products aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. Check the current label and look for the official Crossed Grain mark on the pack.
What should I look for in the allergen information for oats?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists the specific type of grain, such as oats in oat flakes, as relevant information in the ingredients list.
How should I store an opened pack for future lunches at my desk?
Follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. For Brinta Havermout, Joybuy recommends storing it in a cool, dry place and closing the pack securely after opening.