Breakfast eaters keeping an eye on salt
You want to make porridge quickly, while also being able to see how much salt comes from the dry product and the ingredients in your prepared bowl. So compare nutritional values on the same basis.
Who is this relevant for?
People short on time in the morning
You’re looking for a hot breakfast and choosing between pre-measured sachets and fine oats, where you decide how much to use. Check which preparation method fits your morning routine.
Shoppers with allergen requirements
If you have coeliac disease, a standard mention of oats isn’t enough. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking for the official Crossed Grain symbol on oat products; also read the allergen information on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by comparing salt on the same preparation basis. Then decide how much convenience, freedom to add your own ingredients and allergen information you need for breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Salt in your bowl | Compare salt per 100 g of dry product or per equal dry portion. Check separately what the milk, drink and toppings you add contribute. | I want to judge how much salt is in my breakfast without attributing the value for a prepared bowl to dry oats. Salt content is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ease of preparation | Check the preparation method and time, and whether you want a pre-measured portion. | When I’m short on time, I want to know how many steps it takes to make a hot breakfast. Convenience is the first consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Flavour and ingredients | As well as salt, check the sugar per 100 g and the ingredients list for the exact variety. | I want to choose my own fruit or other additions, or know what’s already in a flavoured variety. For around 21% of consumers, this freedom of choice is the deciding factor. |
| Gluten and allergens | If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the allergen information on the packaging. | If I need a suitable product because of coeliac disease or an allergy, this check comes before speed or flavour. It’s the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing a prepared bowl with dry oats
Nutritional values for porridge made with milk include the milk too. Albert Heijn lists 0.25 g of salt per portion of Brinta Porridge made with 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0 g for 40 g of plain porridge oats without this preparation.
First compare equal quantities of dry product. Then look separately at what the liquid and other additions contribute.
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Using one nutritional value to judge the whole product
The salt content doesn’t tell you how much sugar a flavoured variety contains. The Quaker cinnamon product on Joybuy lists 0 g of salt and 19 g of sugar per 100 g; it also contains sugar and flavourings.
Check salt, sugar and ingredients together. Choose a plain variety if you’d rather decide what to add yourself.
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Assuming products from the same brand are alike
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Porridge is made from oat flakes, while Brinta Wholegrain Cereal Breakfast is a wheat product with added salt. They aren’t interchangeable when comparing salt or allergens.
Check the full product name, ingredients and nutritional values for the specific variety you want to buy.
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Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free if you have coeliac disease
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products may be contaminated with gluten. So the type of grain shown on the front of the pack isn’t enough to give you clarity if you have coeliac disease.
Check for the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the current allergen information.
Brands compared
Quaker
Quaker Oats Express Plain is an option if you’re looking for portion sachets for a quick, hot breakfast. Compare the ingredients for each flavour and variety.
- According to product information from Quaker and Albert Heijn, the plain variety is available in pre-measured portions.
- The cinnamon variety has different ingredients and nutritional values, so don’t assume its salt or sugar content applies to all Quaker products.
Brinta
Brinta Porridge, made with fine oat flakes, is an alternative to instant portion sachets if you want to choose your own quantity and additions.
- The ingredients list for Brinta Porridge at Albert Heijn names 100% oat flakes.
- Brinta Wholegrain Cereal Breakfast is a separate wheat product; don’t compare its salt content as if it were the same porridge oats.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn also offers its own fine wholegrain oats, which you can compare with portion sachets and other porridge products.
- Separate product information is available for AH Wholegrain Fine Porridge Oats.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the current packaging for the specific product.
A Joybuy product for weekday breakfasts
This Quaker Express porridge is worth a look if you want to make breakfast quickly on weekdays. Before choosing, compare the salt content and preparation basis on the packaging with those of other porridge products.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal – 324 g
If both preparation time and salt matter for your weekday breakfast, you can compare this Quaker Express variety with other porridge products.
Pack size: 324 g. Check the label to see whether the nutritional values are for the dry or prepared product, and read the allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Is instant porridge automatically low in salt?
No. The salt content of plain porridge oats doesn’t automatically apply to every instant or flavoured variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0 g of salt for a 40 g portion of plain porridge oats. For another product, check its own nutritional information and remember to include any additions in a prepared bowl.
Why might prepared porridge list more salt than dry oats?
The nutritional value for a prepared bowl may also include the liquid used. For Brinta Porridge, the 0.25 g of salt per prepared portion listed by Albert Heijn applies to 40 g of porridge oats made with 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk; don’t compare this directly with dry oats.
Are ordinary oats suitable if you have coeliac disease?
Not without checking the specific oat product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the possibility of gluten contamination and says to check for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging if you have coeliac disease.
What should I check on the packaging of instant porridge?
Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information, including salt and sugar per 100 g. Also check whether any values per portion refer to the dry product or to a preparation made with liquid.