Choose a large, plain pack if your family already eats porridge regularly and everyone can add their own favourite toppings. If you’re not sure about the flavour or texture, try a smaller pack first and serve a small portion. Individually portioned instant porridge is worth considering if family members eat breakfast at different times; check the ingredients and preparation instructions for each variety.
If someone in your family is hesitant about trying new breakfast foods, start with a small prepared portion before buying a large bag. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends serving small portions to children who eat little.
If porridge is a regular breakfast, the number of portions you’ll get from a pack matters more. Jumbo’s 1 kg pack of fine oats lists 25 portions; check whether that suits how often your family eats porridge.
An individual portion can be handy if everyone eats breakfast at a different time. Quaker describes Oats Express as a porridge product that’s ready in 2 minutes; check the ingredients for your chosen flavour separately.
First decide whether the person eating it is willing to try porridge. Then choose a pack size that suits how much you’ll actually use, and only then consider the convenience of individual portions.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Trying the flavour and texture | Check the texture of the oats and start with a small prepared portion. Fine oats don’t guarantee that someone will enjoy the porridge. | If my child hasn’t tried porridge before, I don’t want to buy a large bag straight away. Being able to try it first is the biggest consideration for around 42% of consumers. |
| Pack size for sharing | Compare the net weight and stated number of portions with how often your family actually eats porridge. | We often have porridge together for breakfast, so I want to know whether the pack size suits our needs. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quick individual preparation | Check the preparation time, portion size and ingredients of the exact variety you’ve chosen. | On mornings when everyone eats at a different time, I want to be able to prepare something quickly for each person. Around 25% of consumers give this top priority. |
A large pack isn’t much help if the person eating it doesn’t like the flavour or texture. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends serving small portions to children who eat little, without pressuring them to clear their plate.
Prepare a small amount first. Only choose a larger pack if porridge becomes a more regular choice.
Otherwise, some of the pack could go unused.
Plain porridge oats and a flavoured variety can have different ingredients. Joybuy’s product information lists wholegrain oats as the ingredient in Quaker Porridge Oats 600 g, while the 330 g cinnamon variety also lists sugar and flavourings.
Read the ingredients list and nutrition information on the pack you’re actually choosing, especially if family members want to choose their own toppings.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten-containing cereals. The Jumbo and Brinta packs reviewed also warn that they may contain traces of other cereals.
If you have coeliac disease, check the latest allergen information and don’t rely on the word ‘oats’ alone.
The Jumbo Wholegrain Fine Oats 1 kg pack reviewed is a plain option for households that already eat porridge regularly.
Brinta Porridge Oats 450 g comes in a smaller pack, with extra-fine oats for trying the texture you prefer.
Quaker Oats Express is an option if you want to prepare individual portions quickly, alongside standard packs of Quaker Porridge Oats.
These two plain packs of Quaker Porridge Oats give you a choice between 375 g to try first and 600 g for regular use. Before buying, check the preparation instructions and oat texture if quick instant preparation or a smooth porridge is important to you.
Image unavailable
A plain option for a household that often eats porridge together and wants everyone to choose their own toppings.
The pack contains 600 g. Joybuy’s product information lists 100% wholegrain oats. Check the latest pack for preparation instructions and allergen information.
Image unavailable
The smaller pack suits families who want to see whether everyone likes the flavour and texture of porridge before buying more.
The pack contains 375 g. Check the latest pack for preparation instructions, oat texture and allergen information.
Don’t automatically go for the largest pack: prepare a small portion first so your child can try the flavour and texture. If porridge then becomes a regular breakfast, you can weigh up a larger pack against how much your family actually uses. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends serving small portions to children who eat little.
Don’t assume it is. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that oats can be contaminated with gluten-containing cereals, so check the gluten-free label and allergen information on the latest pack.
Yes, as one of a range of breakfast options. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests porridge, muesli or other wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as alternatives to bread. Consider their overall diet rather than treating one breakfast food as a permanent replacement.
