Luncher short on preparation time
Wants a set portion without having to measure it out. Individual sachets are practical, provided you have the facilities required by the preparation instructions where you eat lunch.
Who are the different pack types suited to?
Lunch planner who likes to put their own meal together
Wants to choose their own portion of oats and add other ingredients to their lunch. A larger pack of fine oats gives you that flexibility, but you’ll need to measure out each portion yourself.
Shopper who checks ingredients carefully
For example, you may be looking for a variety with added protein or need to avoid certain allergens. The Quaker Protein pot reviewed here contains milk powder and soya protein.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the facilities available where you eat lunch. Then consider the portion size, what you’d like to add and the ingredients in the specific variety.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quick to prepare without measuring | Check whether you need boiling water, milk, a microwave or a pan. Also check the portion size. | If I’m short on time, I want a measured portion that I can prepare where I eat lunch. This is said to be the main need for around 40% of consumers. |
| Make it your own | Check the ingredients and suggested portion size, then decide what you’d like to have with your porridge. | I want to choose how much porridge I have and what I add to my lunch. This is said to be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Compare the nutritional information per portion and read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’re considering. | If I’m looking for added protein or need to be mindful of allergens, I want to know exactly what’s in my portion. Around 30% of consumers are said to consider this their main criterion. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming boiling water is all you need for every type of instant porridge
According to the product information, the Quaker Oats Express Naturel sachets reviewed here are prepared with milk in a microwave or pan. For the Quaker Protein pot reviewed here, Quaker specifies boiling water.
Read the instructions for the variety you choose and check what facilities you have where you eat lunch.
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Assuming ordinary porridge oats are gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. So a product simply labelled as oats isn’t necessarily suitable for people with coeliac disease.
If you have coeliac disease, check that the pack carries the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the allergen information for that product.
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Assuming the word Protein tells you everything you need to know
According to Quaker, the Quaker Protein pot reviewed here also contains milk powder and soya protein. Added protein doesn’t tell you anything about the other ingredients or the make-up of your whole lunch.
Compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the variety you’re thinking of buying.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Quaker offers a range that includes ordinary porridge oats, Oats Express portions and a Protein pot.
- According to the product information at Albert Heijn, the Quaker Oats Express Naturel pack reviewed here contains 12 sachets of 27 g.
- Preparation methods vary by variety. Check the allergen information too: the sachets reviewed here may contain soya, barley and wheat, while the Protein pot reviewed here contains milk powder and soya protein.
Brinta
The Brinta Havermout reviewed here comes in a larger pack of fine oats for you to portion yourself.
- According to the product information at Albert Heijn, this variety is made from 100% oats, with a suggested portion size of 40 g.
- The pack states that it may contain traces of wheat and rye. Check the label if allergens or gluten are a consideration for you.
Albert Heijn
The range includes its own fine and coarse wholegrain oats, as well as other oat varieties.
- You can compare the pack types and ingredients of individual varieties.
- A range overview doesn’t mean every variety has the same ingredients or allergens. Read the product label.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both larger packs of fine and coarse wholegrain oats and individual portions.
- The range overview lists 500 g and 1 kg packs, as well as Jumbo Havermout Porties Original in packs of 5 × 27 g.
- Check that the variety you want is available at your store or for your delivery address.
Lidl
The product page consulted shows a 500 g pack of coarse oats.
- A larger pack lets you measure out the amount you want for lunch.
- Lidl says this product is available in store. Check the pack there if you want to compare ingredients or allergens.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
ALDI lists Golden Bridge fine wholegrain oats in a 500 g pack.
- You can portion fine oats from a larger pack yourself.
- Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before choosing this variety.
Quaker Express porridge oats at Joybuy
These two Quaker Express varieties suit different lunch preferences: individual portions that don’t need measuring, or porridge oats with added soya protein. For both varieties, check the instructions and the label on the pack you buy.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal – 324 g
For anyone who wants a measured portion and has the necessary preparation facilities where they eat lunch.
Joybuy Netherlands lists 12 individual portions in this 324 g pack. Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the label.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein – 302 g
For anyone looking for an oat variety with added soya protein and wanting to check the ingredients against their own requirements.
This pack contains 302 g. Check the portion size, preparation method and allergens on the label before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make Quaker Oats Express with hot water alone?
It depends on the variety. According to the product information, the Oats Express Naturel sachets reviewed here need milk and must be prepared in a microwave or pan. For the Protein pot reviewed here, Quaker specifies boiling water. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
Is a portion of porridge oats a complete lunch on its own?
A portion of porridge oats alone doesn’t determine the make-up of your whole lunch. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the preparation method and what you add also matter, so consider your whole meal rather than just the oats.
Are ordinary porridge oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Ordinary porridge oats aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that oats may come into contact with gluten during processing and says that a suitable oat product must carry the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack.
Where can I find allergen information for packaged porridge oats?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the label of the specific pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label and that, for cereals containing gluten, the type of cereal must be clearly stated in the ingredients list.