Parents keeping an eye on salt
With plain rolled oats, you can choose what to add to lunch yourself, such as fruit or unsalted nuts. Check the salt content on the exact pack before choosing a product.
Who might find this choice relevant?
Families short on preparation time
A single-portion pack can save you measuring time. Check how it needs to be prepared, though, and whether you’ll have water, milk or a way to heat it at the lunch venue.
Shoppers considering coeliac disease
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. Look for the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the allergen information on the pack you choose.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide between measuring out your own portion and choosing a pre-portioned pack. Then check the salt content, ingredients and preparation instructions for the exact variety. The same label checks apply to a protein variety: a protein claim on its own tells you nothing about its salt content.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Salt and ingredients | Compare the salt per 100 g of dry product and read the ingredients list for the variety you choose. | I want to decide for myself what goes into lunch, without relying on the word ‘plain’. Around 29% of consumers put this check first. |
| Preparation | Check the preparation instructions and what you’ll need to prepare it at the lunch venue. | If lunch needs to be ready quickly, I want to know in advance whether it’s practical to prepare there. For around 29% of consumers, this is the most important factor. |
| Customising your bowl | Check whether a plain base works with the toppings you want to add separately, and check for any allergens. | Not everyone at the table wants the same additions, so I prefer to keep them separate. For around 21% of consumers, this flexibility is the main priority. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the pack size, the number of portions you expect to make and whether you can store any leftovers. | If I’m planning several lunches, I want to know whether one pack is practical or whether individual portions would suit me better. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘plain’ means the salt content is confirmed to be low
A product name or a claim about sugars won’t tell you how much salt it contains. Nor does the average value for ordinary porridge automatically apply to a particular instant variety.
Read the nutrition information and ingredients on the pack you choose, and compare products on the same basis, such as per 100 g of dry product.
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Assuming all oats are suitable for people with coeliac disease
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. The Brinta Havermout product described by Albert Heijn also carries a warning that it may contain traces of wheat and rye.
If you have coeliac disease, choose only a pack displaying the official Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information too.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Worth considering if you want to compare ordinary porridge oats with a quick, pre-portioned option or a protein variety.
- Albert Heijn describes Quaker Oats Express Naturel as a pack containing 12 portions. Quaker Netherlands also describes a Protein Naturel pot that is prepared with boiling water.
- The product format or a protein claim doesn’t confirm a low salt content. Check the nutrition information and allergens for each variety.
Brinta
A plain porridge base for anyone who wants to measure out their own portion and choose what to add.
- The Brinta Havermout described by Albert Heijn lists 100% rolled oats as its ingredient.
- That product listing also says it may contain traces of wheat and rye. Always check the salt content and allergens on the pack you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both loose rolled oats and pre-portioned porridge under its own brand.
- The product listings include fine wholegrain oats and Porties Original, so you can compare both pack formats.
- The pack format tells you nothing about the salt content of the exact variety.
Golden Bridge
A porridge brand to consider if you’re looking for loose rolled oats.
- ALDI describes Golden Bridge Fijne Volkoren Havermout in a 500 g pack.
- Check the ingredients, salt content and allergens on the pack before comparing it with other porridge products.
Porridge products on Joybuy
These products offer two ways to plan a porridge lunch: Quaker Express Oatmeal if you’re looking for something quick to prepare, and Brinta Oatmeal if you want to measure out your own portion. If salt is an important factor in your choice, check the nutrition information on the pack you select for either product.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option to consider when quick preparation matters. The pack contains 324 g; check the preparation instructions, salt per 100 g and allergens on the label.
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Brinta Oatmeal 450 g
An option to consider if you want to measure out your own portions and choose additions separately. The pack contains 450 g; read the ingredients, salt content and allergens on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Is ordinary porridge automatically a low-salt choice?
No. Check the pack you choose and what you add to it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 0 g of salt for 40 g of ordinary porridge oats, but that figure doesn’t determine the salt content of every instant variety or prepared lunch.
When should I choose loose oats and when should I choose instant portions?
Loose oats are a good fit if you want to measure out your own portion and choose what to add; instant portions can be more practical if measuring is difficult. For pre-portioned products, check how they need to be prepared and compare the nutrition information for the exact variety.
Can someone with coeliac disease eat ordinary porridge oats?
Don’t assume that ordinary porridge oats are suitable for someone with coeliac disease. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain symbol on oat products; also read the allergen information on the pack.
What should I check on the label of pre-packed porridge oats?
Check the ingredients, allergens, nutrition information and preparation instructions for the variety you choose. The European information from Your Europe and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains what information should appear on labels for pre-packed foods. To compare salt content, the stated amount of salt per 100 g is particularly useful.