Camper with access to hot water only
You want to make a hot breakfast without using a pan. Look for a product whose instructions explicitly say you can add boiling water, as Albert Heijn does for Elovena Natural instant oatmeal.
Which option is right for you?
Camper on a multi-day trip
You can use a pan and measure out your own portions. A pack of fine oats is then a handy option to keep in stock, provided you can store it somewhere dry and seal it properly after opening. This is in line with the storage advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Camper with coeliac disease
The word ‘oats’ alone is not enough to guide your choice. For oat products suitable for people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain trademark. Also check the allergen information on the current packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the preparation instructions for the equipment you’re taking with you. Then check the packaging to see whether it suits the length of your trip, and look at the ingredients and allergens that matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Check which liquid and heat source the exact product needs. For Elovena Natural, Albert Heijn says to use 200 ml of boiling water or milk. The instructions for making Quaker Oats Express Naturel hot call for milk and a pan or microwave. | If I only have boiling water, I don’t want to find out that my breakfast also needs a pan. For around 40% of consumers, being able to prepare food with the equipment they have available comes first. |
| Quantity and packaging | Check the best-before date, serving size and storage instructions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing oatmeal in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. | For several breakfasts, I want to be able to keep an opened pack dry and take enough portions with me. For around 30% of consumers, having enough to last takes priority. |
| Label and ingredients | Check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose. If you have coeliac disease, look for the relevant gluten-free certification. Compare plain and flavoured varieties using the nutritional information per 100 g. | If I have a dietary requirement or am looking for a particular recipe, I need to be able to check what I’m taking with me on the packaging. Around 30% of consumers make checking the label their priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all instant porridge only needs hot water
Preparation instructions vary by product. Albert Heijn says to use boiling water for Elovena Natural, but the instructions for a hot serving of Quaker Oats Express Naturel call for milk and a pan or microwave.
Read the instructions for the exact product and make sure you have the liquid and equipment you need.
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Treating individual sachets and a large pack as interchangeable
Individual sachets save you having to measure out portions. With a larger pack, you can choose your own serving sizes, but you’ll need to be able to seal the pack properly after opening.
Only choose a large pack if you can measure out portions and keep the oats dry during your trip.
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Assuming plain and flavoured varieties have the same ingredients
Quaker lists sugar and natural flavourings as ingredients in Oats Express Kaneel, while the ingredients list for Oats Express Naturel names wholegrain oats.
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g for the varieties you’re actually considering.
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Assuming ordinary oats are suitable for coeliac disease
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated with gluten, so the product name alone isn’t enough to go on.
Check for the official Crossed Grain trademark and the allergen information on the current packaging.
Brands and retailers to consider
Quaker
Quaker offers Oats Express portions, among other products. Check the exact variety, as preparation methods and ingredients vary.
- For Oats Express Naturel, Albert Heijn lists 12 sachets of 27 g and hot preparation using a pan or microwave.
- Quaker lists sugar and natural flavourings in its Kaneel variety. Check the allergen information for Naturel too.
Brinta
Brinta Oatmeal is an option if you want to portion out fine oats yourself and have access to a pan or microwave.
- According to the product information on Albert Heijn’s website, Brinta Oatmeal is made from oats, and the flakes are extra fine.
- The hot preparation instructions involve measuring out a portion and using milk. Check the allergen information on the packaging.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product information makes it easier to compare preparation methods for products including Quaker, Brinta and Elovena.
- For Elovena Natural instant oatmeal, Albert Heijn says to add 200 ml of boiling water or milk.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and instructions again on the physical packaging, as product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers fine wholegrain oats for anyone who prefers to measure out their own portions from a larger pack.
- The product information for Jumbo Havermout Fijne Vlokken Volkoren 500 g lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient.
- You’ll need to measure and prepare it yourself. Follow the instructions on the packaging you choose.
Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge is ALDI’s own brand, listed for fine wholegrain oatmeal in a 500 g pack.
- The listing clearly states the type of product and pack size, making it easy to compare with other large packs.
- Before buying, read the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the packaging.
Oatmeal products on Joybuy
These products are suitable if you’re looking for portions or a larger pack of oatmeal for camping. Choose according to the instructions for the exact product; the product name alone doesn’t tell you whether it can be made with hot water only.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
Consider this oatmeal if you want to prepare individual portions at the campsite and the preparation method suits your equipment. Check the packaging to see how the 324 g is divided into portions and which liquid and heat source you’ll need.
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Brinta Oatmeal 450 g
This pack is ideal for several camping breakfasts if you measure out your own portions and keep the oats dry and sealed after opening. According to the product information on Albert Heijn’s website, Brinta Oatmeal contains extra-fine oats. Check the preparation instructions to make sure they suit the equipment you’re taking with you.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
This Protein variety is a separate option from Naturel. Before taking it on your camping trip, check the packaging for ingredients, allergens, portion sizes and preparation instructions. Don’t assume the instructions for Naturel also apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make instant porridge at the campsite with hot water only?
Yes, if the instructions for the product you choose explicitly say so. For Elovena Natural instant oatmeal, Albert Heijn says to add 200 ml of boiling water or milk. The instructions for making Quaker Oats Express Naturel hot, on the other hand, call for milk and a pan or microwave.
How should I store an opened pack of oatmeal on a camping trip?
Store it in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also check the packaging and the condition of the product, especially if you’ve opened the pack several times during your trip.
Can I take oatmeal that’s past its best-before date?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a ‘best before’ date relates to quality. It doesn’t automatically mean an unopened product is no longer suitable as soon as that date has passed. Check that the packaging is intact and inspect the product. If the pack has been opened, storage conditions and the label are still important.
Is ordinary oatmeal suitable for people with coeliac disease?
No, don’t assume it is just because it’s made from oats. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated with gluten. For coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain trademark on the packaging and check the current allergen information too.