Camper without cooking equipment
If you’d rather not bring a bowl but can get hold of boiling water, a pot that you prepare the porridge in could be a good option. Check that the pot you choose is designed to be prepared this way.
Who does the preparation method matter to?
Light packer with their own cup
You’d rather bring individual sachets and use your own cup or bowl. Check each product to see whether it can be prepared cold or whether the hot preparation instructions require other equipment.
Camper with dietary or portion requirements
You’re looking for a product with ingredients that suit your needs or a larger portion. Compare the nutritional information for the whole pack and check the allergen information, rather than relying on the product name alone.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what liquid and eating utensils you’ll have available at the campsite. Then compare the packaging and nutritional information per portion with what you’re looking for at breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and eating utensils | Check which liquid and utensils the preparation instructions call for, and whether you can eat straight from the pot. | If I can only get hold of boiling water, I don’t want to have to bring a bowl or pan. Around 33% of consumers prioritise keeping equipment to a minimum. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current label for relevant allergens and, if you need a gluten-free option, look for the appropriate designation. | I need to be able to check that the ingredients suit my diet; a familiar product name isn’t enough. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Portion size and nutritional information | Compare the weight and nutritional information for the whole portion, not just per 100 g. | For breakfast, I want to know how much porridge is actually in each pack and what ingredients the variety contains. A suitable portion size is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Taking it with you and packaging | Compare the number of portions, the size of the sachets or cups, and any additional utensils you’ll need. | If I’m camping for several mornings, I want to be able to bring my portions without taking up unnecessary packing space. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every sachet only needs hot water
Preparation instructions vary. Albert Heijn says Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal can be mixed with boiling water or milk, while the hot preparation instructions for Quaker Oats Express Naturel call for milk and a pan or microwave.
Check the instructions for your chosen variety before you set off, and bring a cup, spoon and suitable liquid if needed.
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Assuming ordinary oats are the same as gluten-free oats
According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. This makes the exact wording on the packaging important for anyone with coeliac disease.
If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging for the official Crossed Grain mark, which the Voedingscentrum identifies for suitable oat products.
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Overlooking allergens in a protein or flavoured variety
The varieties reviewed have different ingredients: Quaker Pot Protein Naturel lists milk and soya, while Upfront Oats Cup Appel Kaneel contains milk and sulphites, among other ingredients.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging for the exact variety before you take it with you.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Quaker
The Quaker range reviewed includes both individual porridge sachets and pots with a different preparation method.
- Albert Heijn says Oats Express Naturel contains 12 sachets of 27 g. Quaker Nederland says Pot Protein Naturel is prepared by adding boiling water.
- Preparation methods and allergens vary by variety; the pot version lists milk and soya and may contain barley and wheat.
Elovena
The Natural Instant Oatmeal reviewed is labelled gluten-free and comes in individual sachets.
- Albert Heijn says the pack contains five 40 g sachets. Add 200 ml of boiling water or milk to prepare each portion.
- You’ll need to bring your own cup or bowl. If you have coeliac disease, check the designation and mark on the current packaging.
Upfront
The Oats Cup Appel Kaneel reviewed is an individual 75 g porridge cup.
- Jumbo says this cup contains 18 g of protein and 302 kcal per 75 g cup.
- The ingredients include milk and sulphites, among other things. Check the preparation steps on the packaging before you set off.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own porridge range includes both pre-portioned servings and larger packs.
- The range includes Jumbo Havermout Porties Original, a pack of five 27 g portions.
- Compare the preparation instructions and the number of portions you’ll need before choosing a pack for several mornings.
Porridge at Joybuy
This porridge variety is a good option if you can get hot water at the campsite. If you want breakfast without bringing your own eating utensils, first check the type of packaging and how the individual portions are packed.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
For breakfast when you can get hot water: the product description says to prepare it with hot water. Check how many individual portions the pack contains, how to measure out a portion, and whether you’ll need a cup or bowl. Also check the current ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Can I prepare any instant porridge sachet with just hot water?
No, follow the instructions for the variety you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn says to use 200 ml of boiling water or milk for Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal; the hot preparation instructions for Quaker Oats Express Naturel call for milk and a pan or microwave.
Is ordinary porridge suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Not without checking the packaging. The Voedingscentrum points out that oats can come into contact with gluten during processing, and says suitable oat products for people with coeliac disease must carry the official Crossed Grain mark on the packaging.
Which allergens should I look out for in instant porridge?
Check the allergen information for the exact variety, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients. The Quaker pot reviewed lists milk and soya; the ingredients for Upfront Oats Cup Appel Kaneel include milk and sulphites, among other things. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens required by law must be listed on the label.
Is the online ingredients list enough if I have a food allergy?
Use the list to compare products, but check the physical packaging before use too. For the products reviewed, Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional and allergen information may change when products are updated.