Which type of pack suits you?

If you’re trying porridge for the first time

With portion sachets, there’s no need to weigh anything out yourself. Just check how many sachets you’re buying and what the pack says about preparation.

If you eat porridge regularly

Loose oats let you choose your own portion size and add whichever ingredients you like. You will need to measure out the amount yourself, though.

If you keep an eye on ingredients or allergens

Compare the ingredients in plain and protein varieties: the Quaker Oats Express Protein product reviewed contains soya protein and soya lecithin. If you have coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking that an oat product carries the official Crossed Grain symbol.

What should you look for when buying for the first time?

First, decide whether you want pre-portioned servings or would rather measure them out yourself. Then compare the total quantity and check the preparation instructions and ingredients on the pack.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
Pre-portioned servings Check the number of sachets, the amount in each sachet and the preparation instructions. When I’m trying porridge for the first time, I don’t want to have to measure out a portion straight away. Around 31% of consumers say convenience is their top priority.
How much to have at home Compare the total weight with the number of portions you expect to use. I don’t want to buy more than I’m likely to use for my first shop. Around 25% of consumers say this is their top priority.
Portioning it yourself Consider whether you’d prefer to measure out oats from a larger pack and whether the preparation instructions suit your routine. For a regular breakfast, I’d rather decide how much porridge to have each time. That flexibility matters most to around 25% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredient and allergen information; if you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol. If an ingredient or allergen affects my choice, I want to know exactly what’s in that variety. It’s the main thing around 19% of consumers look out for.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing. Other allergens are worth checking too: the product information for Quaker Oats Express Naturel warns that it may contain soya, barley and wheat.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the pack for the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the current allergen information.

  • Treating Brinta and instant oats as the same product

    Brinta also makes products based on wholemeal wheat flour. A wheat product is not a like-for-like substitute for oats; the ingredients and preparation method may differ.

    Before comparing it with an oat product, check the grain and preparation instructions for the specific Brinta product.

  • Relying only on an online product description

    Ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details can change. Albert Heijn points out in its own product information that pack details may differ.

    Check the label on the pack when you buy it, especially if an allergen affects your choice.

Brands and retailers to explore

Quaker

Offers both loose oats and Oats Express portions, as well as an Oats Express Protein variety.

  • Quaker gives a preparation time of two minutes for Oats Express; check the instructions on the pack for your variety.
  • The Protein variety reviewed contains soya protein and soya lecithin, so the varieties don’t have the same ingredients.

Jumbo

Offers examples of loose wholegrain oats and small portion packs.

  • The range reviewed included a 500 g loose pack and Original portions of 5 × 27 g.
  • Check the serving size and preparation method for each product; with a loose pack, you’ll need to measure the oats yourself.

Albert Heijn

A retailer where you can browse product pages for different types of oats.

  • Product pages provide information such as weight, ingredients and preparation instructions.
  • Albert Heijn warns that product information can change, so check the label when you buy it.

Golden Bridge / ALDI

Golden Bridge is worth considering if you’re looking for loose, finely milled wholegrain oats.

  • The ALDI product information reviewed lists a 500 g pack.
  • Check the weight on the pack: the page title and product listing reviewed gave different quantities.

Lidl Healthy Fit

The product information lists a protein porridge product sold in store.

  • One option to explore if you specifically want to compare the ingredients in protein porridge.
  • Before choosing, check the ingredients, allergens and quantity on the specific pack in store.

Brinta

Offers breakfast products made with different grains, including varieties made with wholemeal wheat flour.

  • Worth exploring if you’re also considering a wheat-based breakfast product.
  • Check which grain the specific product contains; a wheat variety is not the same as instant porridge oats.

Portion packs on Joybuy

These two products suit you if you’re looking for pre-portioned oats for your first shop. The plain and protein varieties have different ingredients, so check the preparation instructions on the pack for both.

Quaker Express porridge oats, 324 g pack

Quaker Express porridge oats 324 g

An option if you want to try pre-portioned servings when buying for the first time, without weighing them out yourself.

The product information for this variety lists 12 sachets of 27 g. Check the pack for the preparation method and amount of liquid to use.

If you have an allergy, read the current ingredient and allergen information; the product information reviewed warns that it may contain soya, barley and wheat.

View on Joybuy
Quaker Oats Express Protein, 302 g pack

Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g

A pre-portioned variety to compare if the ingredients in a protein porridge product matter to you.

The product information lists 85% wholegrain oats, 15% soya protein and soya lecithin. The stated nutritional value is 22 g of protein per 100 g.

This product contains soya. Check the current pack for other allergens, as well as the correct preparation method and amount of liquid to use.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are instant oats always quicker to prepare than loose oats?

No, it depends on the product and how you prepare it. According to the product information, Quaker Oats Express Naturel is ready in about two minutes; the loose Quaker oats reviewed take about two minutes to simmer gently or three minutes in the microwave. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.

What should I look for in oats if I have coeliac disease?

Check whether the oat product carries the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing; the name ‘oats’ alone doesn’t confirm whether a product is suitable.

What’s different about the protein variety reviewed?

According to the product information, Quaker Oats Express Protein contains soya protein and soya lecithin as well as wholegrain oats. The stated protein content is 22 g per 100 g; check the ingredients carefully if you avoid soya.

Do I have to make these oats with milk?

No, the Quaker product information reviewed also mentions making them with water or mixing them cold with ingredients such as yoghurt or quark. Check the pack for your variety to see the quantities and preparation steps.

How do I choose the right amount for my first shop?

Compare the total weight with the number of portions you expect to use. The packs reviewed included pre-portioned sachets and loose oats in 500 or 600 g packs; with loose oats, you decide the portion size yourself.