If your main priority for a large family is avoiding added sugars, plain porridge oats with a short ingredients list are a good place to start. Sachets save you measuring time, while a large pack lets you decide on the portion sizes yourself. If you mean ‘sugar-free’ literally, check the nutrition information: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product carrying this claim may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, while ‘no added sugars’ does not mean that the product contains no sugars.
If you mean ‘sugar-free’ as a specific nutrition claim, the amount of sugars per 100 g is what matters. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g. Check this limit against the nutrition information on the pack, even if it says ‘no added sugars’.
If you’re making porridge for several family members, sachets can save you time measuring. Check the preparation instructions and how many sachets you’ll need for the portions you serve at home.
A large pack lets you measure out a different amount for each family member. Albert Heijn lists the Quaker value pack of oats as containing 600 g; this is not a pack of individual sachets.
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement or whether you simply want to avoid added sugars. Then choose between pre-measured sachets and a pack you can scoop from yourself.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Literally sugar-free | Compare the sugars per 100 g with the maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g that the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. | If ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement for my family, I don’t want to rely only on the wording on the front of the pack. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| No added sugars | Read the ingredients list and the claim on the pack; check the sugars per 100 g separately. | I want to decide for myself what to add to plain porridge oats, without requiring the oats themselves to contain no sugars. Around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Preparation and portions | Compare the preparation instructions, the amount in each sachet and whether you can measure out your own portions. | On busy mornings, I want to spend as little time as possible measuring, but for other family meals I want to be able to adjust portion sizes. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. For the separate ‘sugar-free’ claim, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
If this claim is a strict requirement, check the nutrition table per 100 g rather than relying only on the wording on the front of the pack.
A protein claim doesn’t tell you whether sugar has been added to the product. Albert Heijn lists 0.8 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Volkoren havermout proteïne.
Also read the ingredients of any composite ingredients and compare the nutrition information with your own requirements.
A fixed amount in each sachet saves measuring, but it may not match the portion each family member wants.
Check the amount in each sachet and compare it with a large pack if you want to choose your own portion sizes.
Albert Heijn lists oats and the possible presence of other grains for the Quaker Oats Express varieties; Protein Naturel also contains soya ingredients.
If you have an allergy or other dietary restriction, check the latest allergen information on the pack before use.
Albert Heijn describes Oats Express Naturel and Oats Express Protein Naturel as varieties with no added sugars. The 600 g Havermout value pack is a separate option for those who want to measure out their own portions.
AH Volkoren havermout proteïne is a porridge oats variety with added protein.
Lidl lists a 500 g pack of coarse porridge oats as a store product.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product carrying the ‘sugar-free’ claim may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Products labelled ‘no added sugars’ may still contain naturally occurring sugars, so check the nutrition information per 100 g as well.
Sachets are handy if you want pre-measured portions; a large pack lets you choose the amount for each family member. Compare the amount in each sachet and the preparation instructions with how you make breakfast at home.
Check the latest allergen information on every pack. For Quaker Oats Express Naturel, Albert Heijn lists the possible presence of soya, barley and wheat; Protein Naturel contains soya ingredients and may also contain barley and wheat.
No. Jumbo describes Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Naturel as a crunchy cereal mix, not instant porridge oats for hot porridge. Choose based on the product type and how it’s prepared, not just the sugar claim.
