Hosts keeping an eye on salt
You’re looking for a neutral oat base and want to choose the flavourings yourself. The salt content on the label helps you compare products before putting together a recipe.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts preparing portions in advance
You want to be able to prepare several portions shortly before serving. Individual sachets can make measuring easier, but you’ll still need to plan how to prepare them and how much to make for your guests.
Hosts catering for guests with dietary requirements
As well as checking the salt content, you’ll check the ingredients, allergens and any gluten-free labelling on the exact variety you plan to serve.
What should you look for?
If your guests have dietary requirements, first check whether a product is suitable for them. To compare salt levels, then look at the figures per 100 g and consider whether the preparation fits your plans.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Salt content | Compare the salt per 100 g on the packaging and consider which salty ingredients you’ll add to the dish. | I want to flavour the oats myself without unknowingly adding too much salt from the base. A low salt content is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the preparation instructions, preparation time and number of portions per pack. | If I’m making several bowls shortly before serving, I want to know how much work it will involve. Speed and measured portions are the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens and gluten | Read the ingredients and allergen information; if gluten-free is required, look for an explicit statement on the packaging. | I want to know whether the variety I choose meets my guests’ dietary requirements. For around 27% of consumers, this check matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all instant porridge oats are equally low in salt
Salt content varies between varieties. Quaker lists 0 g of salt per 100 g for Oats Express Naturel; Albert Heijn’s product information lists 0.2 g per 100 g for the Protein variety and 1 g per 100 g for Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal.
Compare the salt content per 100 g before choosing based on flavour, protein or portion packaging.
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Serving regular oats as gluten-free without checking
Albert Heijn’s product information says that Quaker Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat. For people with coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain mark on the packaging.
Ask about your guests’ dietary requirements and check the labelling and allergen information on the pack you actually buy.
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Thinking a portion pack is a complete dish
Instant porridge oats still need to be prepared with liquid. The ingredients you add afterwards also affect the flavour and salt content of the finished dish.
Decide in advance what you want to serve, and try preparing it with the ingredients you plan to use before your guests arrive.
Brands to consider
Quaker
The Oats Express varieties reviewed include a plain product and a variety with added soya protein.
- Albert Heijn lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient in Oats Express Naturel; Quaker lists 0 g of salt per 100 g.
- The Protein variety contains soya and, according to Albert Heijn, has 0.2 g of salt per 100 g. Check each variety for warnings about other allergens too.
Elovena
Natural Instant Oatmeal is an individually packed option that Albert Heijn’s product information describes as gluten-free.
- The explicit gluten-free label is useful if you’re looking for a suitably labelled product for a guest.
- Albert Heijn lists salt as an ingredient and gives a salt content of 1 g per 100 g for this variety.
Upfront
The Oats Cup Chocolade reviewed is a flavoured cup, not the same kind of neutral oat base as a plain variety.
- The cup format could suit you if you’re looking for an individual portion with a chocolate flavour.
- Jumbo lists 0.48 g of salt per 100 g for this cup; check the ingredients too, including milk.
Instant porridge oats at Joybuy
These plain instant porridge oats are an option if you want to choose the ingredients for your dinner party dish yourself. To compare salt levels, check the value per 100 g on the packaging.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
A plain oat base if you want to choose what to add during preparation.
324 g pack. Before serving it to guests, check the salt content per 100 g and the allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does no added salt mean 0 g of salt?
No. ‘No added salt’ refers to what has been added during production; the salt figure in the nutrition table shows the salt content of the product. So compare instant porridge oats by their salt content per 100 g, as the Voedingscentrum also advises when comparing labels.
Can I serve regular instant porridge oats to a guest with coeliac disease?
Not without checking which pack is suitable for that guest. For people with coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain mark on oat products. Ask your guest which products are suitable and check the label of the variety you choose.
What should I check on the packaging for a dinner party?
Check the salt content per 100 g, ingredients, allergens, preparation instructions and best-before date. If gluten-free is required, also check for an explicit product label, and bear in mind the ingredients you’ll add to the dish yourself.