Families looking to limit added sugars
Plain porridge lets you decide what to add to each bowl. Bear in mind that a product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families short on preparation time
If you need to prepare several bowls one after another, both the preparation time and the amount of liquid per portion matter. The Quaker Express options we looked at state a preparation time of two minutes.
Households that need to choose gluten-free
If coeliac disease is a concern, regular oats are not necessarily suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns of possible gluten contamination, so check the current packaging for a gluten-free label and the official Crossed Grain symbol.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the sugar claim and the label. Then compare portion sizes and preparation details for your mealtime. If you need to check for gluten or soya, that takes priority over the convenience of a single-portion sachet.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Read the exact claim and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Also consider what you add to the bowl. | I want to limit added sugar while knowing how much sugar is in the oat base. Around 40% of consumers put this need first. |
| Portions for the family | Compare the grams per sachet, the number of portions and the amount of milk or water needed. | If family members eat different amounts, I want to be able to serve suitable portions. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this flexibility. |
| Quick preparation | Check the preparation time and whether you need a pan, a microwave or just hot water. | When time is short, I want to know whether I can prepare several portions with the equipment available. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Gluten and soya | Read the allergen information. If you have coeliac disease, also check the packaging for a gluten-free label and the official Crossed Grain symbol. | If someone in the household needs to avoid gluten or soya, the label determines which option is suitable. Around 10% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
Quaker’s plain option states that it contains no added sugars, but according to the product information it does contain naturally occurring sugars. Milk, fruit and other toppings also change the amount of sugar in the prepared bowl.
Read the claim alongside the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition table, and compare the dish as you actually plan to prepare it.
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Treating a protein option as pure oats
According to the product information, Quaker Express Protein also contains soya protein and soya lecithin. This matters if someone needs to avoid soya.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact option before choosing protein-enriched porridge for the whole household.
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Assuming regular oats are always gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats may be contaminated with gluten. So the word ‘oats’ alone is not enough to check suitability if you have coeliac disease.
If that applies to you, check the current packaging for a gluten-free label and the official Crossed Grain symbol.
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Assuming a single-portion sachet is the right size for everyone in the family
Quaker Express Natural comes in 27 g sachets, while the Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal we looked at lists 40 g portions. So one sachet will not automatically be the right amount for every family member.
Compare the weight per portion, the number of sachets and the preparation instructions before choosing between single-portion sachets and a larger pack.
Brands to consider
Quaker
The Oats Express range we looked at includes a plain option and a protein-enriched option in single-portion sachets. The product information for both states a preparation time of two minutes.
- The Natural option states that it contains 100% wholegrain oats, no added sugars and 1 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The Protein option also contains soya ingredients, so check it separately if allergens are a concern.
Elovena
The Natural Instant Oatmeal we looked at is individually portioned and labelled gluten-free. According to the product information, you can prepare a portion with hot water or milk.
- The product information states that it contains no added sugars and that each portion is 40 g.
- If you have coeliac disease, you still need to check the current packaging and the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Golden Bridge
The fine wholegrain oats we looked at are worth considering if individual instant portions are not essential.
- ALDI’s product information states that the pack contains 500 g.
- If you are choosing based on sugar, allergens or preparation time, check the details on the specific pack.
Instant porridge on Joybuy
These products are plain and protein-enriched instant porridge options for anyone looking to limit added sugars. Compare the ingredients and portion sizes in particular: the protein option contains soya and is not an equivalent substitute for pure oats.
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Quaker Express Oats 324 g
A plain option that lets you portion it out and choose toppings for each family member.
The pack we looked at contains 12 single-portion sachets of 27 g. The product information states a preparation time of two minutes, no added sugars and 1 g of sugars per 100 g.
If you have allergies, check the current packaging. If you add milk or toppings, include them when comparing sugar content.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
A protein-enriched option to consider if you are specifically looking for this formulation and soya is suitable for the family members sharing the meal.
The product information we looked at states 22 g of protein and 1.2 g of sugars per 100 g, no added sugars and a preparation time of two minutes. The ingredients include soya protein and soya lecithin.
Check the current label for allergens and the weight per portion if you plan to share the porridge between several family members.
Frequently asked questions
Is porridge with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No, the two terms do not mean the same thing. For the plain option we looked at, Quaker states both ‘no added sugars’ and that it contains naturally occurring sugars. So check ‘of which sugars’ on the label too.
How can I make the flavour easy to customise for each family member?
Start with plain porridge and add whatever each person wants to their bowl. If you are keeping an eye on sugar, compare the sugars in the oat base as well as in any milk, yoghurt, fruit or other toppings.
Is regular instant porridge suitable if you have coeliac disease?
Not without checking the packaging. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats may be contaminated with gluten. If you have coeliac disease, look for a gluten-free label and the official Crossed Grain symbol on the current product packaging.
Why should I check the label again after choosing online?
The current label gives you the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for the pack you are using. Check it again in particular if your choice depends on a sugar claim, a gluten-free label or whether the product contains soya.