Which option is right for you?

Salt-conscious shopper

You’re looking for plain porridge oats as a base for breakfast or cooking, and want to be able to check the salt in the oats and any extras you add.

Shopper looking for a quick breakfast portion

You want minimal preparation and a measured portion. As well as checking the preparation instructions, check the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety.

Shopper with a strict gluten-free requirement

You need oats explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the label. Regular oats aren’t automatically suitable as a substitute.

What should you look for in porridge oats?

First, compare dry porridge oats per 100 g. Then decide whether the pack size and preparation suit the way you’ll use them, and check for a gluten-free label if you need one.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Salt and ingredients Compare the salt per 100 g of dry porridge oats and read the ingredients list. Consider your liquid and toppings separately. If I want to make porridge without adding salt, I want to know what’s in the oats and what I’ll add later. This is the main priority for an estimated 36% of consumers.
Pack size Choose a pack size that suits how much you use, and check the best-before date. For my first stock-up, I want to choose an amount I’ll actually use. This is the deciding factor for an estimated 29% of consumers.
Quick preparation Read the preparation instructions and check whether the portions are individually wrapped. When time is short in the morning, I want a portion I can prepare quickly. This is the main priority for an estimated 21% of consumers.
Gluten-free oats Check for an explicit gluten-free label and read the allergen information on the pack. On a strict gluten-free diet, I need to be able to check which oats I’m buying and which allergens are listed. This check is decisive for an estimated 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the salt content of dry oats with that of prepared porridge

    The salt content of a prepared portion can also depend on the liquid and extras you use. For example, the nutritional information for Brinta Porridge Oats describes a portion made with semi-skimmed milk.

    Compare dry products per 100 g, then look separately at what you add to your porridge.

  • Assuming regular oats are always gluten-free

    According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, oats can come into contact with cereals containing gluten during production. So an ingredients list that contains only oats isn’t the same as an explicit gluten-free label.

    If you’re following a strict gluten-free diet, choose oats explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the label again when you buy them next time.

Brands to consider

Brinta

Brinta Porridge Oats are an option if you’re looking for fine oats for a warm bowl of porridge.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Porridge Oats are made from 100% oat flakes.
  • The product information states that it may contain traces of wheat and rye. The nutritional value shown for a prepared portion isn’t directly comparable with that of dry oats.

Quaker

Quaker offers a choice between regular porridge oats and individually portioned Oats Express Naturel.

  • Quaker Netherlands lists Oats Express Naturel as containing 12 portion packs and 0 g salt.
  • According to the product information, this variety may contain soya, barley and wheat. Check the label if you need to avoid these ingredients.

Albert Heijn

AH Gluten-Free Wholegrain Porridge Oats are a separate product option if you’re looking for oats explicitly labelled gluten-free.

  • Albert Heijn states that this product is made in a completely gluten-free production environment and contains 0 g salt per 100 g.
  • A gluten-free label doesn’t replace the need to compare salt content; check these features separately.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 1 kg pack, among other options.

  • This pack size could suit someone who eats porridge oats regularly.
  • Check the salt content and allergen information on the label for your chosen variety.

Golden Bridge

Golden Bridge Fine Wholegrain Porridge Oats are an ALDI own-brand option if you’re stocking up on regular oats.

  • ALDI Netherlands lists a 500 g pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats.
  • Check the salt content and allergen information on the pack before choosing this variety.

Porridge oats at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are regular porridge oats automatically low in salt?

No, don’t assume every variety has the same salt content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists the average salt content of porridge oats as 0 g per 40 g serving. For the pack you’re buying, compare the salt per 100 g and read the ingredients list.

Which salt value should I compare on two packs of porridge oats?

Compare the value per 100 g of dry porridge oats so you’re comparing the same type of product. Nutritional information for porridge made with milk or other ingredients doesn’t describe the dry oats alone.

Can I make porridge oats without adding salt?

Yes, you can prepare porridge without adding salt yourself. If you’re watching your salt intake, also check the nutritional information for the liquid and toppings you use.

Are regular oats suitable for a strict gluten-free diet?

Don’t choose based on the word ‘oats’ alone. The Dutch Coeliac Society notes that oats may come into contact with cereals containing gluten during production, so check for an explicit gluten-free label and read the product’s allergen information.

What label information can help me choose?

Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values, including the salt per 100 g. Your Europe explains that salt is included in the nutrition declaration for prepacked foods in the EU; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels.