If you want to choose the flavour yourself
You want to make a quick porridge base and choose what to add yourself. An unflavoured option with no added sugars gives you that choice; remember to check the ingredients in any toppings too.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re looking for a protein option
You want to compare a serving of instant porridge with a stated protein content against other options. If it contains added soya protein, check the allergen information too.
If you need gluten-free oats
Regular oats aren’t automatically suitable for a gluten-free diet. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, people with coeliac disease should look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on oat products; compare the sugar information separately too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with what matters most for your fakeaway night: choosing the sweetness yourself, picking a protein option or finding suitable gluten-free oats. Then check the nutritional information on the exact pack.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Compare sugars per 100 g and check the ingredients list for sources of added sugar. | If I’m adding my own flavour, I want to know what’s already in the oat base. Roughly 50% of consumers would put checking added sugar first. |
| Preparation and protein | Check the preparation instructions and compare protein per 100 g and per sachet. Read the allergen information too. | On a busy evening, I want a quick-to-prepare serving with a clear protein content. For around 30% of consumers, this would be the first thing to consider. |
| Gluten-free and allergens | If you have coeliac disease, check for the Crossed Grain symbol on the oat product. Also read the allergen information and assess sugars separately. | If regular oats aren’t suitable for me, I first need to establish which pack I can use. This suitability would come first for roughly 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
The ‘of which sugars’ figure also includes sugars that occur naturally in the ingredients. So a statement about added sugars doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains in total.
When comparing unflavoured and flavoured options, check both the ingredients list and the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Using the flavour of a porridge option as a guide to its sugar content
Jumbo lists sugar as an ingredient in Quaker Oats Express Cinnamon, with 19 g of sugars per 100 g. You can’t tell the ingredients of a flavoured option from the brand name alone.
Compare the exact flavour with an unflavoured product if you want to decide how much sugar to add yourself.
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Assuming gluten-free means less sugar
Albert Heijn describes Elovena Raspberry instant oatmeal as gluten-free, but it also lists sugar as an ingredient and contains 18 g of sugars per 100 g. What’s more, regular oats aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease.
Check for the gluten-free certification you need, then compare the ingredients and sugars per 100 g separately.
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Overlooking allergens in a protein option
Quaker lists soya protein in Oats Express Protein Naturel and warns that this option may contain barley and wheat.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before choosing this option.
Brands to consider
Quaker
The Oats Express range includes unflavoured, protein and flavoured options. Compare the exact packs rather than treating the whole range as having the same ingredients.
- Quaker says Oats Express Naturel contains wholegrain oats and no added sugars; for Protein Naturel, Quaker states that each 45 g sachet contains 8,3 g of protein.
- According to Jumbo, the cinnamon option contains sugar as an ingredient and has 19 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the allergens in the protein option too.
Elovena
Raspberry instant oatmeal is a portioned option that Albert Heijn describes as gluten-free.
- Albert Heijn lists 40 g sachets that can be mixed with hot or cold water or milk.
- The same raspberry option contains sugar as an ingredient and has 18 g of sugars per 100 g; a gluten-free label doesn’t mean it contains less sugar.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells its own oat products, including rolled oats and portion packs, as well as Quaker Oats Express Naturel.
- Jumbo Havermout Porties Original is a portioned product you can compare with instant options.
- Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and sugars on each pack or product page before comparing products.
Instant porridge on Joybuy
This product selection focuses on a Quaker protein option for anyone who wants to make porridge quickly on fakeaway night. Check the exact variety and nutritional information on the pack, especially if protein content or ingredients will influence your choice.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein – 302 g
For anyone looking for a quick-to-prepare oat base with added soya protein. The product information gives a preparation time of 2 minutes and says it contains no added sugars; check the exact variety and nutritional values on the pack. Contains soya and may contain barley and wheat.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean instant porridge is sugar-free?
No. Quaker says Oats Express Naturel contains no added sugars, but it does contain 0,3 g of sugars per 45 g sachet. So check both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure.
How do I compare sachets of instant porridge with different serving sizes?
Start by comparing the nutritional values per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this approach because manufacturers choose their own serving sizes; then check each sachet to see what your portion contains.
Is regular instant porridge suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Not automatically. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten, so oat products for people with coeliac disease should carry the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack. Check the label of the product you buy.
Where can I find allergen information for packaged instant porridge?
Read the label on the packaged porridge. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be shown on it; also check whether the exact variety may contain other allergens.