Who is this relevant to?

Quick-breakfast eaters who want to avoid added sugar

They’re looking for a portion that’s quick to prepare and want to choose what to add to plain porridge themselves, rather than relying on a flavour name alone.

Shoppers who pay attention to the source of protein

They’re considering an instant variety with added protein. Quaker Protein contains soya protein, so anyone who needs to avoid soya will need to choose something else.

Shoppers who need gluten-free options

They need to look beyond the word ‘oats’. Voedingscentrum advises people with coeliac disease to check that the official Crossed Grain symbol appears on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether avoiding added sugar, quick preparation or a specific ingredient requirement matters most to you; then check the label of the exact variety you’re considering.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Added sugar and sugar content Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ on the same basis, for example per 100 g. If I want to avoid added sugar, I also want to know how much sugar the porridge I choose contains overall; around 50% of these consumers make this their first consideration.
Preparation and portions Check the preparation instructions and whether the pack contains individual portions. For a quick breakfast, I want to know in advance whether I’ll need a microwave or a pan, and whether a set portion suits me. Around 40% of these consumers prioritise convenience when preparing their breakfast.
Allergens and suitability for a gluten-free diet Read the allergen information; if you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. If I need to avoid soya or am looking for porridge because I have coeliac disease, the exact ingredients determine which varieties are suitable; around 10% of these consumers make this their first consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    Porridge can contain naturally occurring sugars. For example, the nutritional information for Quaker Oats Express Naturel at Albert Heijn lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g.

    As well as reading the ingredients list, check the ‘of which sugars’ line. Compare products per 100 g or per portion, rather than mixing the two measures.

  • Overlooking the source of protein in a protein variety

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Quaker Oats Express Naturel Protein contains soya protein and soya lecithin. This variety is therefore unsuitable for anyone who needs to avoid soya.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact protein variety, even if the protein content was what caught your eye.

  • Assuming ordinary oats are automatically gluten-free

    Voedingscentrum points out that oats can become contaminated with gluten. For people with coeliac disease, the information on the specific packaging therefore matters.

    If you have coeliac disease, check that the official Crossed Grain symbol appears on the packaging of the variety you choose.

Brands to consider

Quaker

The Oats Express varieties reviewed include Naturel in individual sachets and a Protein variety with added soya protein.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, neither of the two varieties reviewed contains added sugar, and both take around 2 minutes to prepare.
  • The Protein variety contains soya protein and soya lecithin. For Naturel, check the allergen information if you need to avoid soya, barley or wheat.

Elovena

The Natural variety reviewed is plain instant porridge in individual portions. According to the product information, it can be made with hot or cold water or milk.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information states that this variety contains no added sugar and is labelled gluten-free.
  • If you have coeliac disease, you still need to check for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging, as Voedingscentrum advises.

Instant porridge on Joybuy

This Quaker Express porridge is an option if you’re looking for something quick to prepare. If you specifically want to avoid added sugar, check the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack you buy.

Quaker Express porridge 324 g

Quaker Express porridge 324 g

For anyone who wants to prepare porridge quickly. According to Joybuy’s product information, this pack takes around 2 minutes to prepare in a microwave or saucepan.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is instant porridge with no added sugar also sugar-free?

No. ‘No added sugar’ doesn’t mean the total sugar content is zero. Albert Heijn lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g for Quaker Oats Express Naturel, so check the nutritional information for the variety you’re buying too.

Can I choose ordinary instant porridge if I have coeliac disease?

Don’t choose based on the ‘porridge’ product category alone. According to Voedingscentrum, oat products can become contaminated with gluten, and people with coeliac disease need to look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. Check the exact variety.

What should I look for in an instant porridge variety with added protein?

Check which ingredients provide the protein and which allergens are listed. According to Albert Heijn, the Quaker Oats Express Naturel Protein reviewed contains 15% soya protein and soya lecithin, making it unsuitable for anyone who needs to avoid soya.

Which label should I check if I’m choosing based on sugar or allergens?

Check the label on the exact pack before use. Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so when checking sugar, look at both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ line.