BBQ shoppers looking to limit added sugar
You’re also looking for a quick oat-based breakfast or snack. With a plain variety, you can check the ingredients and decide what to add yourself; assess biscuits and bars separately.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Campers and weekend guests
You want to bring something that doesn’t need a fully equipped kitchen to prepare. Check each pack to see whether you need hot water or can also use the product with cold milk, water or yoghurt.
Shoppers who need to check for gluten or soya
Look beyond the words ‘oats’ or ‘oatmeal’ on the pack. Voedingscentrum advises people with coeliac disease to look for the Crossed Grain symbol; also check the current ingredients and allergen information, especially for varieties with added soya protein.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ingredients and preparation method that suit your plans for the BBQ weekend. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving, so different pack sizes don’t skew your choice.
| What to check | Check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and any information about added sugars; also compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per serving. | If I’m looking for a plain oat base, I want to choose what I add myself rather than relying on the front of the pack. For around 40% of consumers, checking added sugar and ingredients comes first. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the amount in each sachet and whether the instructions suit the equipment and liquid you have available. | At a BBQ venue, I want to be able to prepare a serving with whatever’s available. Around 30% of consumers prioritise convenient preparation and portability. |
| Gluten and allergens | Check the gluten-free label, the Crossed Grain symbol if needed, and the allergen information for ingredients including soya, wheat and barley. | If gluten or soya is a concern for me, I need to know whether this particular pack is suitable. Checking allergens is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Added protein | Check the amount of protein per 100 g and its source in the ingredients list; if it’s soya protein, check the allergen information too. | I’m specifically looking for a different protein content, not just quick, plain oats. For around 10% of consumers, this distinction makes all the difference. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘instant’ means ‘no added ingredients’
‘Instant’ describes how a product is prepared, not its full ingredients. Products prepared in the same way can contain different ingredients.
Read the ingredients list and compare the nutritional information before choosing a plain or flavoured variety.
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Assuming an oat biscuit is the same as plain oats
According to Voedingscentrum, biscuits and pre-packed bars containing oats often contain a lot of sugar, saturated fat and calories. The presence of oats doesn’t mean they have the same nutritional value as plain oats.
Treat biscuits and bars as separate products on your BBQ shopping list, and check their ingredients and nutritional information.
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Skipping the allergen information
According to Voedingscentrum, oat products aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. The Quaker Protein variety described by Albert Heijn also contains soya.
For every pack, check the relevant gluten-free label or symbol and read the current allergen information.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Quaker Netherlands describes Oats Express Naturel as instant oats made with wholegrain oats. Albert Heijn also lists a Protein Naturel variety containing soya protein.
- Quaker Netherlands states that Oats Express Naturel contains 0.3 g of sugars per 45 g serving; Albert Heijn says this variety contains no added sugars.
- According to Albert Heijn, the Protein variety contains soya. Also check the information about wheat and barley for each variety.
Elovena
Albert Heijn sells Elovena Natural instant oatmeal as a plain variety labelled gluten-free and with no added sugars.
- The product information lists gluten-free wholegrain flakes and salt as ingredients in this variety.
- If you need a gluten-free option, check the current packaging; the claims for this plain variety don’t automatically apply to other Elovena products.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s online oats category includes Jumbo Havermout Porties Original and Quaker Oats Express Naturel.
- The category makes it easy to compare portion packs with other oat products.
- When making your final choice, check the information for the individual product and its packaging, especially the ingredients and allergens.
Instant oats on Joybuy
These two Quaker products are worth considering if you want to take instant oats to a BBQ weekend: one Protein variety and one Express Oatmeal pack. Check the current packaging for both to see the sugar content, allergens and preparation method you’ll need while you’re out.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein – 302 g
An option if you’re looking for a variety with added protein as well as an oat base. The Joybuy product description lists wholegrain oats and added soya protein, and states that it contains no added sugars.
If you need to avoid soya or gluten-containing grains, check the label. Also check the preparation instructions if you won’t have access to hot water.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal – 324 g
An Express Oatmeal pack to consider if you’re looking for a simple oat base for your BBQ weekend.
Before choosing it for your plans, compare the ingredients, ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per serving, allergens and preparation instructions on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean instant oats contain no sugar?
No. Quaker Netherlands states that Oats Express Naturel contains 0.3 g of sugars per 45 g serving. Alongside any information about added sugars, check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information.
Can I prepare instant oats at a BBQ without a microwave or hob?
Some products can be prepared this way, but instructions vary by variety. Albert Heijn describes using Quaker Oats Express Naturel with milk, water or yoghurt, among other options. Check whether your pack can be prepared cold or if you’ll need hot water.
Are regular instant oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Not automatically. Voedingscentrum points out that oats can be contaminated with gluten and advises people with coeliac disease to look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. So don’t rely on the word ‘oats’ alone.
Are oat biscuits or bars automatically a low-sugar choice?
No. According to Voedingscentrum, biscuits and pre-packed bars containing oats often contain a lot of sugar, saturated fat and calories. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for each biscuit or bar as a separate product.