Who is this distinction important to?

People who need a strictly sugar-free option

You want ‘sugar-free’ to apply literally, so you check the sugars per 100 g rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the pack.

People who want to prepare oats quickly

You’re looking for a plain option with no added sugars that requires little measuring and is quick to prepare.

People who need gluten-free oats

You’re looking for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and don’t assume that standard oat products are suitable.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement. Then compare the preparation method and packaging. Check separately for a gluten-free label if you need one.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar claim Read the claim and check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. For the ‘sugar-free’ claim, EUR-Lex sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. If ‘sugar-free’ needs to be literally true for me, I don’t want to rely on ‘no added sugars’ alone. This is the most important requirement for around 50% of consumers.
Preparation and portions Check the preparation time and whether you’re buying pre-measured sachets or loose oats. When I’m busy, I want to do as little measuring as possible and still be able to prepare oats quickly. Convenience comes first for around 40% of consumers.
Gluten-free label Look for an explicit gluten-free label on the product and check the latest allergen information. If I need gluten-free oats, I can’t simply choose a standard oat product. For roughly 10% of consumers, this label is the most important requirement.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    Oats can contain sugars even when no sugars have been added. According to Albert Heijn, Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g, while Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal contains 1.2 g per 100 g.

    If you need a product to be strictly sugar-free, check the amount per 100 g. According to EUR-Lex, Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets the limit for this claim at a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

  • Comparing prepared oats with dry oats

    The nutritional values on the Albert Heijn product page for Brinta Havermout apply to prepared oats made with semi-skimmed milk. The sugar content isn’t directly comparable with a value per 100 g of dry oats.

    Compare nutritional information on the same basis and take into account any milk or other ingredients you add during preparation.

  • Assuming standard oats are automatically gluten-free

    The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that oats can become contaminated with gluten. So, the presence of oats as an ingredient doesn’t mean a product is labelled gluten-free.

    If you need a gluten-free option, choose a product with an explicit gluten-free label and check the latest allergen information.

Brands to consider

Quaker

Oats Express Naturel is a portion-packed oat option designed for quick preparation.

  • According to the Albert Heijn product page, Oats Express Naturel is ready in around 2 minutes and contains no added sugars.
  • The label also lists 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g, so ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’ in this case.

Elovena

Natural Instant Oatmeal is a portion-packed instant oat option with a gluten-free label.

  • The Albert Heijn product page states that it is gluten-free and contains no added sugars.
  • Its stated 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g is above the limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

Brinta

According to the Albert Heijn product page, Brinta Havermout is made with extra-fine oat flakes. It’s a loose oat base rather than individual portion sachets.

  • The ingredients list states 100% oat flakes.
  • The nutritional values shown are for oats prepared with milk and aren’t directly comparable with values per 100 g of dry oats.

Albert Heijn

AH Glutenvrij Volkoren Havermout is an own-brand option with an explicit gluten-free label.

  • The product page states that it contains 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • The same page states that it contains 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g. AH Volkoren Havermout Proteïne is a different product and does contain added sugars.

Jumbo

Jumbo Havermout Fijne Vlokken Volkoren is loose oats that you can portion yourself, not instant portion sachets.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists wholegrain oat flakes as an ingredient.
  • If you’re choosing based on the sugar claim or preparation time, compare the nutritional information and preparation instructions on this specific pack with those of an instant option.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’?

‘Sugar-free’ has a limit for the total sugar content: in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, EUR-Lex sets this at a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t mean that a product contains no sugars at all; according to Albert Heijn, Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g.

Can I compare the sugar content of Brinta Havermout with that of dry instant oats?

Not directly: the nutritional values shown for Brinta Havermout at Albert Heijn are for a prepared portion made with 40 g of oats and 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk. First compare values on the same basis, then count any ingredients you add separately.

What should I look for if I need gluten-free oats?

Choose a product with an explicit gluten-free label and check the latest allergen information. The Dutch Coeliac Association highlights the risk of standard oats being contaminated with gluten; according to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij Volkoren Havermout is produced in a gluten-free environment.

How does the sugar content change if I prepare oats with milk or yoghurt?

The nutritional value of the prepared portion also includes the milk, yoghurt and any other additions. So, when comparing, first check the value per 100 g of dry oats, then assess separately what you add during preparation.