Who is this choice relevant to?

Salt-conscious brunch host

You want to compare the salt content of the oat base and consider what else goes into the rest of your brunch bowl. Voedingscentrum recommends comparing the nutritional information for products per 100 g.

Time-saving host

You want to serve warm porridge while preparing other brunch dishes. Individual sachets can save you measuring time; fine rolled oats are another option if you’re portioning them out for several guests yourself.

Brunch planner mindful of allergens

You’re catering for guests who need to avoid ingredients such as soya or gluten-containing grains. Read the allergen information on the packaging you choose. If you’re catering for someone with coeliac disease, also check for the official Crossed Grain symbol, as recommended by Voedingscentrum.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide which feature matters most to you for your Easter brunch. Then compare dry oat products per 100 g and check any added ingredients and allergens separately.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Salt in your bowl Compare the salt per 100 g of dry porridge oats and check the ingredients in your chosen toppings too. If I want to limit the amount of salt in my brunch, I look beyond the oat base. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Speed and portions Check the preparation instructions and decide whether individual sachets or oats you measure out yourself would suit you better. When several dishes need to be served at once, I want to make warm portions without lots of measuring. Around 29% of consumers put this convenience first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest ingredients and allergen information; if you’re catering for someone with coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain symbol. If a guest has a relevant allergy or coeliac disease, I want to choose packaging that meets their needs. This is the most important consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Packaging and waste Check the pack size, how many portions you need and the storage instructions once opened. If I’m cooking for several guests, I want to have enough oats without ending up with lots left over. This is the biggest consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Going by the words on the front of the pack alone

    A label such as ‘protein’ doesn’t tell you how much salt the product contains. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains 0 g of salt per 100 g, compared with 0.2 g per 100 g for the Protein variant reviewed.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you choose.

  • Checking the oats but not the toppings

    The salt content of dry porridge oats doesn’t tell you how much salt is in the whole brunch bowl. Anything you add during preparation or when serving counts too.

    For a sweet bowl, for example, add flavour with fruit, cinnamon and unsalted nuts. Check the salt content of savoury toppings separately.

  • Assuming every pack of oats is gluten-free

    According to Voedingscentrum, standard oat products aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease because they may be contaminated with gluten.

    For a guest with coeliac disease, choose a pack bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol and take care to avoid cross-contamination from standard oats and toppings during preparation.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Quaker

Oats Express Naturel and Oats Express Protein are different options in the quick-cooking oat portion range.

  • Albert Heijn lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient in Oats Express Naturel, with a preparation time of around 2 minutes and 0 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The Protein variant reviewed contains soya protein and lists 0.2 g of salt per 100 g. Check the allergen information on the latest packaging for both variants.

Brinta

Porridge oats with fine rolled flakes for anyone who wants to measure out their own brunch portions.

  • Jumbo lists Brinta Havermout as containing 100% oat flakes and 0.01 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The product information warns that it may contain traces of wheat and rye. Don’t assess whether it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease based on the ingredients list alone.

Jumbo

A supermarket own brand with portioned porridge oats and other oat products.

  • Jumbo Havermout Porties Original comes in individual portions.
  • This Original variant contains sugar; Jumbo lists 10.7 g of sugars and 0.10 g of salt per 100 g. Don’t compare it directly with plain, unsweetened oat flakes.

Golden Bridge / ALDI

Fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack, as described by ALDI Nederland.

  • The larger pack may suit you if you want to measure out portions yourself for several brunch guests.
  • For a salt-conscious choice or specific allergen requirements, read the nutritional and allergen information on the packaging.

Lidl / Healthy Fit

A protein porridge option to consider if extra protein is one of your reasons for buying.

  • Lidl lists a Healthy Fit Proteïne havermout product.
  • Before buying, check the salt content, ingredients and allergens on the pack; don’t assume these from the product name.

Oats for individual brunch portions

This Joybuy product is a good fit if you want to make individual portions of porridge for your Easter brunch and choose the toppings yourself. For a salt-conscious choice, compare the nutritional information on the latest packaging.

Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

An option for individual brunch portions, with toppings you choose yourself.

324 g pack. Compare the salt per 100 g on the latest packaging and check the allergen information if you’re buying for guests with specific requirements.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are instant oats always lower in salt than regular porridge oats?

No, the way oats are prepared doesn’t automatically determine their salt content. Compare dry products per 100 g: Albert Heijn, for example, lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel as containing 0 g of salt per 100 g and the Protein variant reviewed as containing 0.2 g per 100 g. Also consider what you add to your bowl.

How can I add flavour to a salt-conscious brunch bowl?

Start with plain porridge oats and add fruit, cinnamon and unsalted nuts, for example. Check the salt content of other toppings separately, rather than considering only the oat base.

Can I use any pack of porridge oats if I have coeliac disease?

No. Voedingscentrum recommends choosing only oat products bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol if you have coeliac disease. Check the latest packaging and avoid cross-contamination during preparation.

Where can I check the ingredients in Lidl porridge oats?

Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the physical packaging. Lidl says it doesn’t provide an online list of this information for food products; you can also contact Lidl with the specific product details to ask.