Who are these options suitable for?

Anyone looking to make a quick evening snack

You want to do very little measuring and not wait long. A portion pack cuts down on measuring; with loose fine flakes, you decide how much to make.

Anyone looking for a simple wholegrain oat base

You want to be able to tell from the ingredients list which grain you’re buying and decide for yourself what to add to your porridge. A product made with wholegrain oat flakes gives you a clear starting point.

Anyone choosing oats because of coeliac disease

A label such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘oats’ isn’t enough to establish whether a product is suitable. According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products are only suitable for people with coeliac disease if the packaging carries the official Crossed Grain mark.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re mainly looking for a pre-measured portion, a simple oat base or a pack that will see you through several snack occasions. Then check the preparation instructions and, if you need to, the allergen information on the pack.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this most important for?
Preparation and portion size Check the preparation time and whether the porridge is pre-portioned. If I want something warm late at night, I want to do very little measuring and not wait long. Around 31% of consumers give this combination top priority.
Wholegrain ingredients Check which grain is listed in the ingredients and what else has been added. I want to decide for myself what goes into my evening snack, so I’m looking for a simple wholegrain oat base. For around 31% of consumers, this is the main priority.
Pack size Compare the pack weight and number of individual portions with how often you want to make porridge. If I make porridge late at night more often, I want to have enough in the cupboard without having to open a new pack each time. This matters most to around 23% of consumers.
Gluten and allergens Check the latest allergen information; if you have coeliac disease, look for the Crossed Grain mark. If I need to avoid ingredients because of coeliac disease or an allergy, the packaging needs to meet my requirements. For around 15% of consumers, this is the main reason for checking before buying.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all wholegrain porridge oats are suitable for coeliac disease

    According to the Voedingscentrum, ordinary oat products can be contaminated with gluten. The word ‘wholegrain’ says nothing about whether a product is suitable for coeliac disease.

    Before choosing oats for someone with coeliac disease, check that the current pack carries the official Crossed Grain mark.

  • Confusing wholegrain cereal with porridge oats

    Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour and salt as the ingredients in Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt; according to Jumbo, Brinta Havermout is made from oat flakes. These are different grain products.

    Check the product name and ingredients list if you’re specifically looking for oats or need to avoid wheat.

  • Relying on product information you checked previously

    It’s especially important to check the ingredients and allergens again when packaging has changed.

    Read the label on the pack you’ve actually bought before using it, particularly if you need to avoid certain ingredients.

Brands to consider

These brands offer different products, from express porridge and loose oat flakes to other grain-based options. Choose by product name and ingredients, not just by brand.

Quaker

Quaker offers both individually portioned Oats Express Naturel and regular loose porridge oats.

  • According to Albert Heijn, Oats Express Naturel takes two minutes to prepare.
  • The regular 600 g pack of Quaker Havermout isn’t a box of individual express portions.

Brinta

The Brinta range includes both porridge oats and a separate wholegrain cereal.

  • According to Jumbo, Brinta Havermout contains oat flakes.
  • According to Albert Heijn, Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt contains wholemeal wheat flour and salt, so it isn’t porridge oats.

Albert Heijn

The own-label range includes fine wholegrain oat flakes and a separate gluten-free wholegrain porridge.

  • Wholegrain oat flakes are listed as an ingredient in AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken.
  • Don’t treat the regular fine flakes as the same product as AH Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout; if you have coeliac disease, check the mark on the pack.

Jumbo

The own-label range is worth considering if you’re looking for loose wholegrain oat flakes.

  • Jumbo Grove Vlokken Volkoren lists wholegrain oat flakes as an ingredient.
  • The product information mentions oats and the possible presence of barley, rye and wheat; check the label if you need to avoid these grains.

Golden Bridge

This ALDI own-label range includes fine wholegrain porridge oats.

  • ALDI Nederland lists a 500 g pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before deciding whether this product meets your requirements.

A Joybuy product for quick preparation

This wholegrain express porridge is a good fit if you want something quick to prepare late at night and are happy with added soya protein. Quaker Oats Express Protein is a different product from the Oats Express Naturel mentioned above as an example.

Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g

Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g

A good choice if you’re looking for wholegrain porridge that takes little time to prepare and contains soya protein. According to the Joybuy product description, this variety can be made with hot water in two minutes and contains wholegrain porridge oats with added soya protein. Check the allergen information on the pack if you need to avoid soya or gluten.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is regular wholegrain porridge suitable for coeliac disease?

Not automatically: according to the Voedingscentrum, ordinary oat products can be contaminated with gluten. If you have coeliac disease, only choose oat products whose current packaging carries the official Crossed Grain mark.

How can I identify wholegrain oats in instant porridge?

Read the ingredients list and look for wholegrain oats or wholegrain oat flakes. Also check what else the product contains: for example, according to Albert Heijn, Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt is made from wholemeal wheat flour, so it isn’t porridge oats.

How should I store an opened pack of porridge oats?

Keep the pack tightly closed and follow the product’s storage instructions. Albert Heijn recommends storing its fine wholegrain oat flakes in a cool, dark, dry place and closing the pack after use.