Parents keeping an eye on salt
You’re looking for porridge for your child and want to compare the salt content on the labels, rather than relying on the front of the pack.
Who is this choice for?
Parents considering allergens and school rules
Before sending porridge in with your child, you want to know what the packaging says about gluten, milk and possible traces, as well as the rules at their school or childcare setting.
Families looking for something quick to prepare
You want minimal preparation and a clear portion size, without losing sight of the ingredients, salt content and allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
Check the allergen information first if it’s a deciding factor for your child or their setting. Then compare the salt content on the same nutritional basis and see which preparation method suits the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Salt content | Compare the salt per 100 g in similar dry products; check whether the nutritional information applies to the dry or prepared product. | If I want to choose a lower-salt option, I want to compare products on the same basis. Around 27% of consumers put this salt comparison first. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the latest allergen and trace information, check for a gluten-free label if needed, and ask about the rules at the school or childcare setting. | Before I send something in with my child, I need to know whether it’s suitable for the allergens that matter to them and their setting. For around 33% of consumers, this check is the most important factor. |
| Preparation and portion size | Check the amount per portion and the instructions for preparing it with water or milk. | When time is short, I want to be able to prepare a portion without measuring out too much. This convenience comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and adding your own flavours | Read which ingredients have been added and decide whether you’d rather add flavour yourself. | I want to decide what goes in the bowl alongside the oats, so I prefer a simple ingredient list. Around 20% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
Common pitfalls
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Comparing salt levels in dry and prepared products
A figure per 100 g of prepared porridge cannot be compared directly with a figure per 100 g of dry oats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g.
Check what each nutritional table refers to. Compare the dry products first, then look at the amount you’ll actually serve.
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘low in salt’
A gluten-free label says nothing about the salt content. Albert Heijn’s product information for Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal lists both a gluten-free label and salt among the ingredients, with 1 g of salt per 100 g.
Check the gluten-free label and salt content separately on the packaging.
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Focusing only on the flavour of a flavoured variety
Flavoured instant porridge can contain more allergens than you might expect from the flavour name. Jumbo lists milk and cereals containing gluten among the allergens in Upfront Instant Oatmeal with Chocolate Flavour.
If an allergy is relevant, check the ingredients, allergens and any trace information first, before deciding whether the flavoured variety is suitable to send in with your child.
Brands compared
Quaker
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is a single-portion option to compare with regular porridge oats.
- Albert Heijn lists this variety as containing 12 individual portions.
- If you’re choosing based on salt or allergens, compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging of the variety you select.
Brinta
Brinta Oatmeal is an option if you’d like to decide the flavour yourself.
- Albert Heijn lists 100% oat flakes as the ingredient in Brinta Oatmeal.
- The product information mentions possible traces of wheat and rye, so don’t treat this porridge as an explicitly gluten-free product.
Elovena
The Elovena varieties mentioned differ in their gluten-free labelling and ingredients.
- Albert Heijn lists Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal as gluten-free and packaged in 40 g portions.
- The Natural variety contains 1 g of salt per 100 g; the ingredients in the separate Vitality variety include sugar and salt.
Upfront
Upfront Instant Oatmeal with Chocolate Flavour is a flavoured blend.
- Jumbo lists 0.48 g of salt per 100 g for this variety, which you can compare with other products using the same nutritional basis.
- Jumbo’s allergen information lists milk and cereals containing gluten, including oats.
Jumbo
The Jumbo range provides a point of comparison for regular porridge oats and individual portions.
- Jumbo lists both own-brand porridge oats and individual porridge portions in its range.
- Check the latest ingredients, nutritional information and availability on the packaging you choose.
Porridge on Joybuy
This Quaker pack is an option if you’re looking for porridge for a quick meal with your child. Before buying, check the nutritional information and allergen details for this specific pack if salt or gluten is a deciding factor.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option if you’re looking for porridge for your child. The pack contains 324 g; check the preparation instructions, salt content per 100 g and allergens on the latest packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘instant’ mean porridge is low in salt?
No. The preparation method alone tells you nothing about the salt content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g, and checking whether the nutritional information applies to dry oats or prepared porridge.
Is regular porridge automatically gluten-free?
No, don’t assume it is. If you need a gluten-free product, check for an explicit gluten-free label and read the latest allergen and trace information on the packaging too.
What should I check before sending porridge in with my child?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest packaging, and ask about the rules at the school or childcare setting. An online product description can help you choose, but use the information on the product you’re actually sending in when you pack it.
Can instant porridge also be made with water?
It depends on the variety you choose, so follow the preparation instructions on the packaging. For Elovena Natural, Albert Heijn’s product information says it can be prepared with water or milk.