Busy Easter breakfast-makers who choose their own toppings
You want to make a warm bowl of porridge quickly, but would rather add fruit or other toppings yourself than buy a pre-sweetened flavour mix.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families stocking up for several breakfasts
You want to compare packs and portions, checking ingredients, sugars, allergens and nutrition information on the same basis.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
If soya or gluten is a concern for you, the word ‘porridge’ alone isn’t enough to guide your choice. The ingredients list, allergen information and any explicit gluten-free label will help you decide.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ingredients and nutritional information for the dry porridge. Then check whether the preparation method, portion packaging and allergen information suit your Easter breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, using either dry products or the same preparation method for each. | If I want to choose my own toppings, I don’t want a pre-sweetened oat base. Around 36% of consumers prioritise avoiding added sugar. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the preparation instructions, the amount of liquid needed and the number of portions in the pack. | When I need to serve breakfast to several people at once, I want to know how much preparation the porridge requires. Around 29% of consumers prioritise being able to serve it quickly. |
| Allergens | Check the current allergen information; if you need gluten-free food, look for an explicit gluten-free label. | If I need to avoid soya or gluten, I want to be able to assess a product using its label. This check is the first priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quantity | Compare the pack weight with the portion size and the number of breakfasts or brunches you’re planning. | For several Easter breakfasts, I want to estimate in advance how many portions I’ll need. Around 14% of consumers prioritise having enough in stock. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. Quaker Oats Express Naturel, for example, is labelled this way but lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g.
Use the claim as a first filter, then check the ingredients list and nutrition information per 100 g too.
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Comparing dry porridge with a prepared portion
The nutritional information shown for Brinta Havermout is for a portion prepared with semi-skimmed milk. These figures aren’t directly comparable with values per 100 g of dry Quaker Oats Express Naturel.
Compare nutritional information only when it’s based on the same preparation method, and check which liquid has been included in any portion calculation.
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Looking only at the pack when planning several breakfasts
For individually wrapped portions, the number of sachets helps determine whether one pack will be enough for the meals you have planned.
Check the portion size and work out how many portions you’ll need over the Easter holidays.
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Assuming all porridge is gluten-free or soya-free
The information consulted for Quaker Oats Express Naturel mentions the possible presence of soya, barley and wheat. The Protein variety contains soya protein.
If you have an allergy or need gluten-free food, read the current label for the exact variety you’re buying. For a gluten-free option, choose a product with an explicit gluten-free label.
Brands to compare
These examples show why you should compare specific varieties, not just brand names: plain, enriched and sweetened oat products have different ingredients.
Quaker
Oats Express Naturel and the Protein variety are examples of individual oat portions that, according to the product information consulted, take 2 minutes to prepare.
- Oats Express Naturel lists wholegrain oats as its only ingredient and contains 1 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The Protein variety contains soya protein and soya lecithin. Check the information on possible allergens for the Naturel variety too.
Brinta
Brinta Havermout offers loose, extra-fine oat flakes as an alternative to individual instant portions.
- The ingredients list consulted states that it contains 100% oat flakes.
- The nutritional information shown for a portion prepared with semi-skimmed milk isn’t directly comparable with values per 100 g of dry oats. The product may contain traces of wheat and rye.
Jumbo
The Jumbo range shows why oat portions and loose oats should be assessed by their ingredients.
- The ingredients list for Havermout Porties Original makes it clear that this variety contains sugar.
- Havermout Porties Original lists 10.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t suitable if you’re looking for a product with no added sugar.
Instant porridge on Joybuy
This product is a pack of Quaker Express porridge for anyone looking for a quick oat base. If avoiding added sugar is your main priority, check the ingredients and nutritional information for this particular variety.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option to consider if you’re looking for porridge for a quick Easter breakfast. Before buying, compare the ingredients and sugar content on the current pack.
Pack weight: 324 g. Check the allergen information if soya or gluten is a concern for you.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘reduced sugar’?
No. ‘No added sugars’ refers to what has been added to the product; sugars that are already present may still appear in the nutritional information. ‘Reduced sugar’ compares the sugar content with that of a similar product. So check both the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table.
Should I compare sugars per portion or per 100 g?
Start by comparing sugars per 100 g, provided the products are shown on the same basis, for example, both dry. Then check the portion size and preparation method: a portion made with milk can’t be compared directly with dry porridge.
Can I choose any instant porridge if I need to avoid soya or gluten?
No. Always check the specific variety and its current label. Quaker Oats Express Naturel states that soya, barley and wheat may be present; the Protein variety consulted contains soya protein. If you need gluten-free food, look for an explicit gluten-free label.
How can I control the sweetness of my Easter breakfast?
Choose a plain variety with no added sugars and add toppings to suit your taste. Check the ingredients of portion products individually: Jumbo Havermout Porties Original lists sugar as an ingredient.