Choose a larger pack of plain oats if several members of your household eat them regularly and the number of portions suits how much you use. For a low-fat breakfast, don’t just compare the nutritional values of the dry oats: milk, yoghurt and toppings all contribute to the nutritional value of the prepared bowl. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives the average fat content of a 40 g serving of dry oats as 2.5 g.
If several people have breakfast from the same pack, its weight and the number of portions can help you decide whether a larger size is right for you. Jumbo lists 25 portions for its 1 kg pack of fine wholegrain oats; Quaker’s 600 g multipack lists 15 portions.
You’ll want to assess both the dry oats and the ingredients you prepare them with. That way, you can look at the nutritional information for the whole breakfast rather than just the fat content on the pack of oats.
Regular oats aren’t automatically gluten-free. If you have coeliac disease, it’s important to check the specific pack for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
First work out how much oats your household uses, then compare the ingredients and nutritional information. For a low-fat breakfast, also consider what goes into the prepared bowl.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and portions | Compare the net weight and number of portions. If you won’t get through a large pack quickly, check the best-before date too. | If the whole family eats porridge regularly, I want a pack that lasts without being left sitting around. Around 36% of consumers prioritise stocking up for the family. |
| Prepared breakfast | Check the nutritional information for the dry oats and take into account the milk, yoghurt and toppings you use. | I want to be able to assess how much fat is in my usual bowl, not just compare the dry oats. For around 36% of consumers, the nutritional content of the prepared breakfast matters most. |
| Ingredients | Check whether you’re choosing plain oats or a product with other ingredients; compare products using the same serving size. | If you want to decide for yourself what goes into your porridge, you’ll want to know exactly what’s in the pack first. That’s the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free label | If you have coeliac disease, check the specific pack for the official Crossed Grain symbol. | If avoiding gluten is essential, I can’t rely on the word ‘oats’ alone. For around 7% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives the average fat content of 40 g of dry oats as 2.5 g. The nutritional value of a prepared bowl also depends on the milk, yoghurt and toppings.
Compare dry products on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and look separately at what you usually add.
Oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. ‘Wholegrain’ on the pack doesn’t mean they’re suitable for people with coeliac disease.
If you have coeliac disease, check the current label for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
A processed snack may have different ingredients and nutritional values from loose oats. The product name alone won’t tell you how they differ.
Read the ingredients list and nutritional information for the product you actually plan to use.
Jumbo offers own-brand oats, with fine and coarse wholegrain flakes.
Quaker sells loose oats in a 600 g pack and Oats Express Naturel in individual sachets.
Brinta offers extra-fine oats in a 450 g pack.
Albert Heijn is a retailer with both own-brand and branded products in its oats range.
ALDI sells fine and coarse wholegrain oats under the Golden Bridge name.
Lidl lists 500 g of Crownfield organic oats.
The Quaker pack offers 600 g of oats for regular use, while the smaller 450 g Brinta pack focuses on fine flakes and quick preparation. Choose a size based on how many portions your household gets through.
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A pack for households that regularly use loose oats.
Quaker lists 15 portions and 100% wholegrain oats for this 600 g pack. For a low-fat breakfast, also consider the ingredients you prepare the porridge with. If you need a gluten-free option, check the symbol on the pack.
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A smaller pack for anyone who values fine flakes and quick preparation over a large family supply.
Brinta lists around 11 portions for 450 g. Don’t compare the nutritional value of prepared porridge directly with that of dry oats per 100 g; check the reference amount on the label.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an average 40 g serving of dry oats contains 2.5 g of fat, of which 0.4 g is saturated fat. Milk, yoghurt and toppings also contribute to the nutritional value of your prepared breakfast.
Check the nutritional information for both the dry oats and the ingredients you use to make the porridge. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists preparing it with skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, or yoghurt with no added sugar or salt, as an option for a breakfast that meets the Dutch Wheel of Five guidelines.
Store the pack in a cool, dry place and seal it well after use. Check the best-before date on the pack to work out whether you’ll use it in time.
Not automatically: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. If you have coeliac disease, check the specific product for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
