If you want to avoid added sugar
You’re looking for a quick-to-prepare oat base and want to compare a plain option with sweetened flavours. Check both the ingredients list and the nutritional information per 100 g.
Who is this for?
If you want to prepare savoury oats
You want to add your own flavourings to a plain oat porridge. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests ketjap and sambal as possible variations for savoury oats; that doesn’t make oats a traditional part of an Indonesian rijsttafel.
If you need to check for allergens
As well as having ingredient preferences, you have a specific requirement relating to something such as soya or gluten. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, people with coeliac disease should choose oats explicitly labelled gluten-free or bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the flavour and ingredients you want, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g, preparation method and any allergens.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar and ingredients | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g and check whether sweetening ingredients have been added. | If I’m looking for an unsweetened base, I want to know exactly what’s in it, even when it claims to have no added sugar. This is a top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the preparation time, the amount of liquid needed and the quantity per serving. | When I’m short on time, I want to prepare my oats quickly without having to measure them out each time. Around 29% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Neutral flavour | If you want to add your own savoury flavourings, check that the variety doesn’t contain sweet flavourings. | I want to choose the flavour of my savoury oat porridge myself, perhaps with ketjap or sambal. A neutral base matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens and gluten | Read the current allergen information; if you have coeliac disease, look for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. | If I need to avoid soya or have coeliac disease, the suitability of the specific product comes before convenience and flavour. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
A product with no added sugar can still contain naturally occurring sugars.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing the nutritional information of similar products per 100 g, as well as reading the ingredients list.
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Choosing a sweet flavour for a savoury dish
A honey- or fruit-flavoured variety gives you less scope to create the flavour using savoury ingredients alone.
Check the flavour and ingredients before preparing oats with something like ketjap or sambal.
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Assuming plain oats are automatically gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated with gluten. Albert Heijn also states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel may contain barley and wheat.
If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free label or the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Brands to consider
Quaker
The Oats Express Naturel sachets and Protein Naturel variety reviewed have different ingredients, so check each one separately.
- Albert Heijn lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient in Oats Express Naturel; Jumbo says this variety contains no added sugar.
- According to Jumbo, Protein Naturel contains 15% soya protein. Check the allergen information on the packaging of both varieties.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s oats range includes both loose oats and individual portions. These are different packaging formats, not necessarily products with the same preparation method or ingredients.
- You can compare a larger pack with individual portions, depending on how much you want to measure out yourself.
- Check the ingredients, preparation method and nutritional information for each product you choose; the range description alone doesn’t tell you enough.
Młyny Stoisław
The Havermout Instant 500 g described by Jumbo is a loose instant variety.
- Jumbo lists oats as an ingredient and says to prepare it with hot milk or water, then leave it to stand for three minutes.
- Check the current nutritional information and allergen details for this specific pack.
Instant oats on Joybuy
This selection is for anyone who wants to prepare oats quickly and choose whether to serve them savoury. If you’re looking for a lower-sugar option, check the information on the packaging of the variety on offer.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal – 324 g
For anyone who wants to prepare oats quickly and is looking for a neutral base that can be seasoned with savoury ingredients. Before choosing it for this purpose, check the exact variety, ingredients, ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g and allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are instant oats with no added sugar also sugar-free?
No. ‘No added sugar’ doesn’t mean the product contains no sugars at all. For the variety you choose, compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g and read the ingredients list.
Can you eat instant oats with Indonesian flavourings?
Yes, you can prepare oats as a savoury dish: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests ketjap and sambal as variations for a savoury oat recipe. Choose a plain variety if you want to decide on the flavour yourself; don’t treat it as a traditional part of a rijsttafel or an obvious substitute for rice.
Are plain instant oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Not automatically. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated with gluten. If you have coeliac disease, check that the packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or bears the official Crossed Grain symbol, and read the current allergen information.
How should you store an opened pack of oats?
Keep opened oats tightly sealed in a cool, dry, dark place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened oats in a kitchen cupboard for no more than one year; also follow the storage instructions on your product’s packaging.