Choose porridge for your office lunch based on the ingredients list and the preparation options available at work, not just the ‘sugars’ value in the nutrition table. Single-serve sachets save you measuring it out, while loose oats need to be portioned at home. If a pot requires boiling water, make sure you can access it at work.
You want to know whether sugar has been added to your porridge. To check, read the ingredients list alongside the nutrition table: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘sugars’ value includes naturally occurring sugars too.
You’re looking for a portion that’s easy to take with you and can be prepared using the facilities available at work. If a pot requires boiling water, as Quaker’s does, you’ll need access to it.
You don’t mind putting oats into a container at home. This lets you use a larger pack, but you’ll need to portion the oats yourself and bring everything you need to prepare them.
Start by asking yourself whether you want to avoid added sugar. Then choose a pack and preparation method that suit what you can prepare at home and use at the office.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Read the ingredients list and check for a ‘no added sugars’ claim. Compare nutrition information on the same basis, for example per 100 g; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘sugars’ value alone doesn’t tell you where the sugars come from. | If I want to limit added sugar, I don’t want to assume a product is sweetened or unsweetened based on one number. This would be the main consideration for around 42% of consumers. |
| Preparation at the office | Check whether the product needs boiling water, a microwave or a pan, and whether you’ll need to bring a bowl and spoon. | If I eat lunch at a workplace with limited facilities, I need to be able to prepare it there. An estimated 33% of consumers would put this first. |
| Portions and packaging | Check whether you’re buying individual portions or need to measure out the oats at home. Also consider how much you want to take for one lunch. | I prepare my lunches in advance and want to know how much measuring and packing space that will involve. This would be the first consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the nutrition table lists all sugars together, including those that occur naturally in ingredients. So the figure alone doesn’t tell you whether sugar has been added.
Compare the nutrition information per 100 g, and also read the ingredients list and check for any claims on the packaging.
Not all breakfast cereal porridge is made from oats. For example, Jumbo describes its Volkoren Ontbijtpap as a product made with wholegrain wheat flakes, which are a different grain.
If you’re specifically looking for porridge oats for your lunch, check the type of grain in the ingredients list.
Even products with a simple name may state that other grains could be present. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Havermout may contain traces of wheat and rye; Quaker says that Pot Protein Naturel may contain barley and wheat.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging of the exact product you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
Quaker offers several ways to take porridge with you. According to Quaker Netherlands, Oats Express Naturel comes in single-serve packs, and this specific variety carries a ‘no added sugars’ claim. For Pot Protein Naturel, you add boiling water.
Brinta Havermout is an option if you want to portion out the oats yourself. Albert Heijn’s product information lists 100% oats as the ingredient.
Jumbo Ontbijtpap Volkoren is a breakfast cereal product in a larger pack, but Jumbo describes it as being made with wholegrain wheat flakes.
These two porridge products suit different ways of preparing lunch for the office: an Express pack to take with you, or a larger Brinta pack to portion yourself. For both products, check the ingredients and preparation instructions for the version you choose.
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For anyone who wants to take porridge to the office for lunch. The preparation instructions specify a microwave or pan, so don’t assume boiling water alone will be enough.
Check the ingredients list and any claim about added sugars on the packaging of this version.
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For anyone who wants to prepare their own portion of porridge at home to take for lunch. This pack doesn’t contain individual portions, so measure out a suitable amount to take with you.
Check the ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions on the pack you choose, especially if you only have access to boiling water at the office.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugars’ in the nutrition table includes all sugars present, including those that occur naturally in ingredients. To check for added sugar, also read the ingredients list and look for any claims on the exact product.
Check that the claim appears on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that ‘no added sugars’ means, among other things, that no mono- or disaccharides have been added. The nutrition table may still list sugars.
Yes, if the preparation instructions for your chosen product say so. Quaker’s instructions for Pot Protein Naturel say to add boiling water; remember to bring a spoon too. Don’t assume the same method will work for other pots, sachets or loose oats without checking first.
Yes, if the presence of other grains matters to you. Albert Heijn states that Brinta Havermout may contain traces of wheat and rye; according to Quaker, Pot Protein Naturel may contain barley and wheat. So check the allergen information on the current packaging of the product you’ve chosen.
