For a fussy eater, start with plain oats and check the label for added sugar; ‘no added sugar’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’. Sachets can make the morning routine easier, while loose fine oats give you more control over portions and preparation. If you have coeliac disease, checking for the official Crossed Grain symbol takes priority over these preferences.
A familiar taste and an adjustable portion can be important if a child is reluctant to try something new. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends offering something familiar rather than introducing a new dish on days when a child is tired or distracted.
When comparing breakfast cereals, you can compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights sugar and fibre among the things to look out for.
If you have coeliac disease, regular oats are not automatically suitable: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. So check the pack for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
If you have coeliac disease, whether the oats are suitable comes first. Otherwise, start by looking for a taste and texture your child knows, then compare the label and preparation method with your morning routine.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and texture | Check whether the oats are plain and whether they are fine or coarse. Prepare them in a way that matches what your child already knows. | If an unfamiliar texture makes breakfast difficult, I want to start with something familiar. For around 34% of consumers, taste and texture come first. |
| Added sugar | Read the ingredients and the claim on the pack; compare the sugar and fibre content of similar products per 100 g. | I want to avoid added sugar, but not confuse natural sugars with added sugar. For around 33% of consumers, this label detail takes priority. |
| Preparation and portion size | Check the preparation instructions and whether a set portion suits you, or whether you would rather measure out the oats yourself. | When there’s little time in the morning, I want a preparation method that fits our routine. For around 25% of consumers, convenience matters most. |
| Gluten-free suitability | If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging for the official Crossed Grain symbol. | If coeliac disease is a factor, I can’t base my choice on taste or convenience alone. For around 8% of consumers, gluten-free suitability is the first requirement. |
A product with no added sugar may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the nutrition claim ‘sugar-free’ is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. Albert Heijn lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g for Quaker Oats Express Naturel.
Check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information. Don’t use the two terms interchangeably.
Milk, yoghurt and toppings change the nutritional value of the prepared bowl. The nutritional information Albert Heijn gives for a prepared portion of Brinta Havermout includes the milk as well.
Compare dry oat products per 100 g, then look separately at what you add to the portion.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten. So the product category ‘oats’ alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable if you have coeliac disease.
Check the current packaging for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests having porridge oats as one breakfast option, but points out that iodine is added to bread, not oats.
Don’t use this as a reason to replace every occasion when you eat bread without considering the rest of your diet.
The differences below relate to the oat products mentioned, not a brand’s entire range. Always check the packaging of the variant you choose before buying.
Oats Express Naturel is a plain wholegrain option available in portions. Jumbo says this variant takes 2 minutes to prepare.
Brinta Havermout is a pack of fine oats that lets you choose the amount of oats and what to add yourself.
AH Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout is a separate option for anyone who needs gluten-free oats.
Jumbo’s oat range includes fine and coarse wholegrain oats under its own brand.
This oat product may suit you if you’re looking for a simple breakfast base. Check the ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions on the pack you choose to make sure they meet the needs of your fussy eater.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an oat-based breakfast. The pack contains 324 g; check the label for added sugar, sugars per 100 g and allergens before choosing a variant.
No, not necessarily. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the nutrition claim ‘sugar-free’ is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. For Quaker Oats Express Naturel, Albert Heijn lists both ‘no added sugar’ and 1 g of sugars per 100 g.
Yes, porridge can be an alternative to bread. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests other wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as alternatives. It points out that bread has a different role in the diet, partly because iodine is added to it.
Choose something your child already knows rather than introducing a new flavour that morning. This is in line with the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice for days when a child is tired or distracted.
Not automatically. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. If you have coeliac disease, check the packaging of the specific product for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Yes, milk and additions affect the nutritional value of the prepared bowl. First compare the dry oat products per 100 g, then consider what your chosen preparation method and toppings add to the portion.
