Who is this relevant to?

Sugar-conscious eaters short on time

You want to prepare porridge quickly during a busy summer BBQ day, so you compare the ingredients and sugar content per 100 g rather than relying only on the wording on the pack.

Eaters who also keep an eye on protein

You’re looking for the convenience of instant porridge with a higher protein content, and factor in the ingredients of a protein variety, which may include soya, when making your choice.

Label readers with specific dietary needs

You check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety before deciding whether it suits your dietary needs.

What should you look for when buying?

Start with the sugar content and ingredients of the exact product. Then check how to prepare it and whether protein content or allergens are more important for your choice.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugars Compare sugars per 100 g of dry product and check the ingredients list for added sugar. I want a quick portion without choosing a flavour that contains more sugar than I expect. For around 36% of consumers, less sugar would be the main consideration.
Preparation Check the preparation time, liquid and equipment needed, and the type of packaging. On a busy BBQ day, I want to be able to make a portion with whatever I have available. Speed and convenient portions would be the priority for around 29% of consumers.
Protein Compare protein per 100 g on the same basis and check the protein source in the ingredients list. If I’m also keeping an eye on protein, I want to know what the protein variety adds and where that protein comes from. Extra protein would be the main reason for around 21% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the current packaging. If an ingredient isn’t suitable for me, checking this comes before flavour or convenience. For around 14% of consumers, this would be their first consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    Porridge can still contain sugars even if none have been added. Quaker Netherlands states that Oats Express Naturel contains 1 g of sugar per 100 g.

    Check both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ row in the nutrition table.

  • Assuming every flavour is a low-sugar option

    Quaker Netherlands lists sugar as an ingredient in Oats Express Kaneel and states that it contains 19 g of sugar per 100 g, compared with 1 g per 100 g for Oats Express Naturel.

    Compare the exact flavour with the plain variety on the same per-100 g basis.

  • Comparing nutrition values for dry and prepared products

    Adding water changes the nutritional value per 100 g of prepared porridge. Albert Heijn gives the values for Elovena Instant Oatmeal Vitality as prepared with water.

    Compare dry products with one another, or use the same preparation method when comparing prepared products.

  • Overlooking allergens in a protein variety

    According to Quaker Netherlands, Quaker Oats Express Protein Naturel contains soya protein and soya lecithin; possible traces of barley and wheat are also mentioned.

    Check the current allergen information for your chosen variety before buying.

Brands compared

Quaker

The Oats Express portions reviewed show why plain, protein and flavoured varieties should be assessed separately.

  • Quaker Netherlands states that Oats Express Naturel contains 1 g of sugar per 100 g and Oats Express Protein Naturel contains 1.2 g per 100 g.
  • The Kaneel variety contains 19 g of sugar per 100 g. For Naturel and Protein Naturel, also check the allergen information on the pack you choose.

Jumbo

The range gives you a starting point for comparing regular rolled oats with portion packs and instant porridge.

  • You can consider the product format and packaging alongside the nutritional information.
  • Regular rolled oats don’t automatically offer the same portion packaging or preparation method as an instant product.

Elovena

The Instant Oatmeal Vitality product reviewed contains rolled oats, dried fruit and sugar.

  • The ingredients list helps you decide whether this fruit variety suits your preferences.
  • Albert Heijn gives the nutritional values for the product prepared with water; don’t compare them directly with values per 100 g of dry porridge oats.

Instant porridge with extra protein at Joybuy

This product selection features a protein variety for anyone who wants to keep an eye on protein and sugars as well as convenience when choosing instant porridge. Check that the ingredients and preparation method suit your needs.

Quaker Oats Express Protein, 302 g pack

Quaker Oats Express Protein, 302 g

An option if you’re looking for instant porridge and want to take the protein content of this product into account too.

Joybuy Netherlands states that this variety contains 1.2 g of sugar and 22 g of protein per 100 g, with wholegrain oats and soya protein among its ingredients.

This product contains soya. Check the preparation instructions before making it and the current allergen information on the pack before buying.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is instant porridge with no added sugars also sugar-free?

No. A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars: Quaker Netherlands states that Oats Express Naturel contains 1 g of sugar per 100 g. So check the nutrition table and ingredients list too.

How do I compare the sugar content of two instant products?

Compare the value per 100 g on the same basis. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, comparing values per portion can be confusing; also check whether the figures are for dry porridge oats or prepared porridge.

Which instant porridge is best when you have little time to prepare it?

Choose according to the preparation instructions and what you have available. Albert Heijn says Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes around two minutes to prepare in a microwave or saucepan, while Quaker recommends boiling water for Pots Protein Naturel.

What should I check if soya, milk or cereals are relevant to me?

Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety on the current packaging. Quaker Netherlands lists soya protein in Oats Express Protein Naturel, and milk powder and soya protein in Pots Protein Naturel, so the ingredients vary between products.