People short on time at lunchtime
If you want to make a hot bowl at work or school without weighing out the oats, sachets are worth considering. Just check that you have access to the required liquid and a suitable microwave or pan.
Who are the different pack types for?
People who like to make up their own portions
If you often have porridge for lunch, loose oats give you the flexibility to choose how much to use and whether to add anything. You’ll need to measure out the portion yourself, though.
People with specific dietary requirements
Compare the ingredients and allergens in each variant, for example if you need to avoid soya. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, if you have coeliac disease, it’s important to look for the official Crossed Grain trademark on oat products.
What matters for a hot lunch?
First, decide how you’ll heat your porridge and whether you want a pre-measured portion. Then consider how much you need for lunch and any requirements you have around ingredients or allergens.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quick preparation | Check the preparation time, required microwave setting and amount of water or milk. | If I have a short lunch break, I want to know whether I can make a hot bowl using the microwave or pan available. For around 33% of consumers, preparation time is the top priority. |
| Pre-measured portion | Check the number of portions, the weight per portion and the type of packaging. | If I’m taking oats with me, I don’t want to have to weigh them out there and then, but the amount still needs to suit my lunch. Pre-measured portions are the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Making it your own | Check the portion instructions and ingredients if you want to measure out your own amount or add something. | If I’m making several lunches from one packet, I want to choose how much porridge and which extras to use. Around 27% of consumers prioritise having this flexibility. |
| Dietary requirement | Check the current label for soya and any gluten-containing cereals; if you have coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain trademark. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the label determines which variant I can choose. For an estimated 13% of consumers, a dietary requirement is the deciding factor. |
What should you watch out for?
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Assuming ‘instant’ means it’s a complete lunch
A pre-measured sachet doesn’t tell you whether the amount of oats is enough for the lunch you have in mind. According to Albert Heijn, each sachet of Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains 27 g.
Compare the weight per portion and decide whether you want to take any other ingredients or a side dish with you.
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Assuming ‘Naturel’ means it’s suitable for coeliac disease
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated with gluten. A product name such as ‘Naturel’ doesn’t confirm that the product is suitable for people with coeliac disease.
Check the current label every time you buy, and if you have coeliac disease, only choose an oat product with the official Crossed Grain trademark.
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Choosing a Protein variant without checking the ingredients
According to the product information from Albert Heijn and Quaker, Quaker Oats Express Protein Naturel contains soya protein; the variant reviewed also lists soya lecithin and possible traces of barley and wheat.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variant you’re actually buying, especially if you need to avoid soya or gluten-containing cereals.
Relevant brands to compare
Quaker
Oats Express offers pre-measured options alongside loose porridge oats for anyone who doesn’t want to weigh out a portion at lunchtime.
- Albert Heijn lists Oats Express Naturel as 12 sachets of 27 g, with a preparation time of 2 minutes.
- The Naturel and Protein Naturel variants reviewed list possible traces of gluten-containing cereals; Protein Naturel also contains soya ingredients.
Brinta
Fine oats for anyone who wants to measure out their own hot bowl.
- According to Albert Heijn, Brinta Havermout contains 100% oats; the pack is 450 g and recommends 40 g of oats with 250 ml of milk.
- The product information lists possible traces of wheat and rye. If you have coeliac disease, check the current label for the official Crossed Grain trademark.
Albert Heijn
Own-brand fine wholegrain oats, with other ingredient variations also available.
- AH fine wholegrain oats come in a 500 g packet; the product information recommends 40 g of oats per 250 ml of water or milk.
- The AH variant with added protein contains ingredients including soya protein isolate, linseed and sunflower seeds. Check the ingredients on each pack rather than making assumptions based on the brand.
Jumbo
Own-brand fine oats, available loose or in individual portions.
- Jumbo lists its fine wholegrain oats in a 500 g packet and says they contain 100% wholegrain oats.
- The label says these fine oats may contain barley, rye and wheat; check the pack if this affects your choice.
Golden Bridge
ALDI own-brand fine wholegrain porridge oats for anyone who wants to measure out their own portion.
- ALDI Netherlands lists a 500 g pack of Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack before choosing this variant for lunch.
Joybuy products for a quick hot bowl
These Quaker products are worth considering if you want porridge that’s quick to prepare. Compare their packaging and current labels individually; one product isn’t automatically the same portion size as another.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option to consider if you don’t want to weigh out your oats for a hot lunch. Before buying, check the portion weight, the amount of liquid needed and the preparation instructions on this pack.
If you have a dietary requirement, the current ingredients and allergen information are what matter; don’t rely on the product name alone.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
Worth a look if you want to compare the ingredients and nutritional information of a Protein product for a hot lunch. Check the number of portions, the amount per portion and the preparation instructions on the current pack.
Read the allergen information carefully too if you need to avoid soya or gluten-containing cereals.
Frequently asked questions
Is one sachet of instant porridge enough for lunch?
Check the weight per sachet and what else you plan to eat with your lunch, rather than assuming there’s a standard portion size. Albert Heijn lists 27 g of oats per sachet for Quaker Oats Express Naturel and 37.7 g per sachet for the Protein Naturel variant reviewed.
Can I eat ordinary porridge oats if I have coeliac disease?
Don’t choose based on the word ‘porridge oats’ alone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated with gluten; if you have coeliac disease, check that the pack displays the official Crossed Grain trademark.
What’s a convenient option if I don’t want to weigh out oats at work?
A portion sachet saves you having to measure out the oats, as long as you have the liquid and equipment needed to prepare them. Albert Heijn recommends 180 ml of milk and 2 minutes at 800 W for Quaker Oats Express Naturel; follow the pack instructions for other variants.
How should I store an opened pack of fine oats?
Seal the pack properly after use and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Albert Heijn recommends storing its fine wholegrain oats in a cool, dry and dark place.