Who is this choice relevant to?

If you want to add your own flavour

You’re looking for oats as a neutral base and want to choose what to have with them. Check the ingredients list to see whether a product contains anything besides oats, such as a flavouring mix or added sugar.

If you’re short on time in the morning

You want a portion that’s easy to measure or prepare. For a quick-cook option, check the preparation instructions, ingredients and nutritional information separately; convenience doesn’t tell you what’s in it.

If you’re choosing oats with coeliac disease

Ordinary oats aren’t automatically suitable for you. According to the Voedingscentrum, the official Crossed Grain trademark on the packaging is important for people with coeliac disease because of the risk of gluten contamination.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with your main requirement: do you want to avoid added sugars, save time or choose oats that are suitable for coeliac disease? Your stamppot dinner doesn’t change what to check; these points relate to the oats you want to have at another mealtime.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Added sugars Read the ingredients list and compare the nutritional values per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘of which sugars’ includes naturally occurring sugars too. If I want to add my own flavour, I first want to know whether the oat mix contains any sources of sugar. An estimated 50% of consumers say avoiding added sugars is their main concern when shopping.
Ease of preparation Check the portion size and preparation instructions for the specific product, as well as the ingredients list. On a busy morning, I don’t want to have to measure out a portion first or spend a long time preparing it. An estimated 30% of consumers give convenience the highest priority.
Gluten-free suitability If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging for the official Crossed Grain trademark and read the allergen information. If I need oats suitable for coeliac disease, I can’t rely on the word ‘oats’ alone. This is the top priority for an estimated 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    These statements don’t mean the same thing. According to the Voedingscentrum, the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table includes all sugars in the product, including those that occur naturally.

    When comparing oat products, check both the ingredients list and the nutritional values per 100 g.

  • Choosing ordinary oats when you need a gluten-free option

    Oats can be contaminated with gluten. As a result, according to the Voedingscentrum, an ordinary packet of oats isn’t necessarily suitable for people with coeliac disease.

    Before using the oats, check the packaging for the official Crossed Grain trademark and the latest allergen information.

Brands to consider

Compare specific products, not just brands: plain flakes, quick-cook portions and oats labelled gluten-free meet different needs.

Quaker

Quaker offers both plain oats and Express Naturel and Protein Naturel.

  • Albert Heijn lists the ingredients for Quaker Oats as 100% wholegrain oats; Quaker says Express Naturel contains no added sugars.
  • According to the product information from Albert Heijn, Quaker Protein Naturel contains milk powder and soya protein. If you have an allergy, always check the specific product you choose.

Brinta

Brinta Oats are an option if you’re looking for oat flakes as a simple porridge base.

  • The ingredients list at Albert Heijn states 100% oat flakes.
  • The same product information warns that it may contain traces of wheat and rye. If you need a gluten-free option, don’t choose this product based only on its simple ingredients list.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a separate wholegrain oats product labelled gluten-free.

  • The product information for AH Gluten-Free Wholegrain Oats states that it is produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains added sugars. Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the current packaging too.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s oat range includes fine wholegrain flakes.

  • If you’re looking for a finer flake, you can consider Jumbo Fine Wholegrain Oat Flakes as a separate option.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on each packet; a category label doesn’t describe every product individually.

Oat products at Joybuy

These two oat products are worth considering if you’re looking for a base for a simple breakfast around a stamppot dinner. Check each product’s ingredients, preparation instructions and allergen information against your main requirement.

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

An option to consider if you mainly want a quick breakfast. Check the preparation instructions and read the current packaging for the ingredients, sugars per 100 g and allergens. The name Express alone doesn’t confirm that the product contains no added sugars or is gluten-free.

View at Joybuy
Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g

Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g

An option to compare if you want to decide what goes into your breakfast. The name includes ‘Whole Wheat’ as well as ‘Oatmeal’, so check the packaging to see which grains the product actually contains. Read the information about sugars and allergens before choosing it too.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean that oats contain no sugars?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table includes all sugars present, including those that occur naturally. Check the ingredients list as well to identify any sources of added sugar.

How can I add flavour to plain oats?

You can choose what to add to a plain oat base, such as fruit or nuts. This lets you pick your flavourings separately rather than relying on the ingredients in a ready-made flavour mix.

Are ordinary oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?

Not without checking the packaging. The Voedingscentrum highlights the risk of gluten contamination in oats and says the official Crossed Grain trademark is required for people with coeliac disease. Check the latest allergen information too.

Should I check the packaging after looking at a product online?

Yes. Before using the product, check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging, especially if gluten-free suitability or avoiding a particular ingredient is essential to your choice.