Who is this choice relevant to?

Time-pressed cook watching their salt

You want to prepare a hot base quickly on a busy weeknight. So you compare the salt content per 100 g and consider the ingredients you’ll add yourself.

Cook short on time or without a hob

You’re looking for a portion that can be made with hot water or in the microwave. You weigh up the convenience of a cup or portion pack against the flavour and nutritional information.

Savoury porridge enthusiast

You want to pair porridge with ingredients such as vegetables and egg, and prefer to choose the flavourings for your bowl yourself. The salt in those extras counts too.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by choosing a flavour that works with a savoury dinner. Then compare salt content on the same product basis and check which preparation method is practical on a busy evening.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Salt Compare the salt per 100 g of dry product and check the salt in stock, sauce or other additions separately. If you season your own savoury bowl, you’ll want to keep an eye on the salt in both the base and the toppings. Around 42% of consumers put checking salt first.
Preparation Check the preparation time and whether you need hot water, milk, a microwave or a pan. If you need a hot portion ready quickly after getting home late, what you can make with the equipment you have is what matters most. For around 33% of consumers, ease of preparation is the top priority.
Savoury uses Read the ingredients, the sugar content per 100 g and the allergen information for your chosen variety. For a dinner with vegetables or egg, a plain flavour may work better than apple and cinnamon; ingredients you need to avoid matter too. Roughly 25% of consumers put suitability for their needs first.

Common mistakes

  • Comparing a prepared portion with dry porridge

    The 0.25 g of salt shown for Brinta applies to a prepared portion made with 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk. It isn’t directly comparable with a figure per 100 g of dry product.

    First compare nutritional information per 100 g of product in the same state, then assess milk and other additions separately.

  • Choosing a sweet variety as a plain base for dinner

    Jumbo Havermout Porties Original is sweetened and lists 10,7 g of sugars per 100 g. AH Oat & Go apple and cinnamon also has a sweet flavour. Both therefore call for a different approach when paired with savoury ingredients.

    Check the flavour and ingredients before choosing a variety for a savoury bowl.

  • Looking only at the salt in the porridge

    According to Voedingscentrum, ingredients such as sauces and other savoury additions can contribute a lot of salt. So the salt content of the porridge doesn’t tell you how much salt is in the whole bowl.

    Check the nutritional information for stock, cheese, sauces and ready-made toppings too.

  • Assuming the allergens from the word porridge

    Quaker Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat. The AH Oat & Go apple and cinnamon cup described contains milk and almond.

    Check the current allergen information and warnings on the packaging of the exact variety you’re buying.

Relevant brands to consider

Quaker

Oats Express Naturel is sold in individual portions for quick, hot preparation.

  • Quaker Nederland lists 0 g of salt per 100 g for Oats Express Naturel; according to the product information, the porridge is ready in 2 minutes.
  • The product information warns that this variety may contain soya, barley and wheat.

Brinta

According to the product information, Brinta Havermout is made from extra-fine oat flakes and can be ready hot in just a few minutes.

  • The variety described is made from 100% oat flakes.
  • The 0.25 g of salt shown applies to a prepared portion with 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk, not to 100 g of dry product.

Albert Heijn

The Oat & Go apple and cinnamon cup is made with hot water and then left to stand for 4 minutes.

  • The cup described doesn’t need a pan.
  • Albert Heijn lists 0.20 g of salt per 100 g for this variety; the cup has a sweet flavour and contains milk and almond.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers both regular oat flakes and pre-measured portions of porridge oats.

  • Jumbo Havermout Porties Original lists 0.10 g of salt per 100 g.
  • These portions are sweetened and list 10,7 g of sugars per 100 g; consider whether that flavour works with a savoury dinner.

Porridge on Joybuy

This Quaker porridge is an option if you want to put together a hot bowl quickly. If you’re watching your salt, check the nutritional information on this pack and for any ingredients you add.

Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g pack

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

You can use this porridge as the base for a hot evening meal made to your taste.

The pack contains 324 g. Check the current salt content per 100 g and the allergen information on the label for this variety.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare the salt content of instant porridge?

Compare the ‘salt’ figures per 100 g on labels that describe the product in the same state. Quaker Nederland lists 0 g per 100 g for Oats Express Naturel, Jumbo lists 0,10 g per 100 g for Havermout Porties Original, and Albert Heijn lists 0,20 g per 100 g for Oat & Go apple and cinnamon. Factor in any additions to the meal separately.

Can you use instant porridge for a savoury dinner?

Yes, porridge can be the base for a savoury bowl. Voedingscentrum publishes recipes including versions with mushrooms and egg, or with courgette and cheese. Choose a flavour that suits your ingredients and, if you’re watching your salt, check the stock, cheese and sauces too.

Are all instant porridge varieties suitable if I avoid certain allergens?

No, allergen information varies by variety. Quaker Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat; the AH Oat & Go apple and cinnamon described contains milk and almond. Always check the current packaging of the product you’ve chosen.

Does 0 g of salt on the label automatically mean a product is called ‘low salt’?

No, a listed salt content and a nutrition claim aren’t the same thing. According to EUR-Lex, nutrition claims for food within the EU are regulated. When comparing products, use the label value per 100 g without assigning a claim to a variety yourself.