Who are these options for?

Anyone looking for a quick breakfast on a busy December morning

A warm bowl that takes little preparation and comes in a set portion is ideal for a morning when Christmas dinner also needs your attention.

Anyone who needs strictly gluten-free oats

Regular oats may not be suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises people with coeliac disease to look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.

Anyone putting together their own festive bowl

With a plain oat base, you can choose your own portion and toppings, such as cinnamon, fruit or unsalted nuts.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Added sugars Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across similar dry products. If I don’t want to add sugar to my breakfast, I don’t want to rely on the front of a flavoured pack alone. For around 31% of consumers, checking the label comes first.
Preparation and portion size Check the preparation instructions, stated cooking time and the weight of each sachet or portion. On a busy Christmas morning, I want to know in advance how much effort a warm bowl will take. Around 31% of consumers prioritise speed and convenient portions.
Gluten-free suitability Check the gluten-free claim, the Crossed Grain symbol and the current allergen information on the packaging. If I need strictly gluten-free oats, regular oats aren’t an obvious substitute. This is a priority for around 19% of consumers.
Your preferred taste and quantity Check the ingredients in the oat base, and consider milk, yoghurt and toppings as part of the prepared bowl. For a festive breakfast, I want to decide for myself how big and how sweet my bowl will be. This flexibility is a top priority for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    The ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table also includes naturally occurring sugars. So a product with no added sugars may still show a figure here.

    For flavoured varieties, read the ingredients list too, and compare similar dry porridge products per 100 g.

  • Choosing regular oats when gluten-free is essential

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with cereals containing gluten. So a plain product isn’t automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    Check for the official Crossed Grain symbol and the current allergen information on the packaging.

  • Comparing a sachet directly with a bowl you’ve weighed out yourself

    Different portion weights make it difficult to compare nutrition values per portion. Milk, yoghurt and toppings also change the nutritional make-up of the prepared bowl.

    First compare the dry products per 100 g, then check how much you actually use.

  • Choosing a protein option without checking the ingredients

    The Quaker Protein Naturel variety mentioned contains soya protein and soya; according to the product information, regular Oats Express Naturel lists only wholegrain oats as an ingredient.

    Check that the protein option suits what you’re looking for, and read the current allergen information, especially if soya is relevant to you.

Brands to consider

Quaker

Oats Express Naturel is instant porridge in individual sachets, for anyone looking for a plain base with no added sugars.

  • According to product information from Quaker and Albert Heijn, the Naturel variety contains wholegrain oats and can be prepared in under two minutes.
  • The Naturel variety may contain soya, barley and wheat. The separate Protein Naturel variety contains soya protein and soya, so check which one you’re buying.

Brinta

Brinta Havermout is a loose oat base for anyone who wants to put together their own portion and toppings, rather than use an instant sachet.

  • Albert Heijn lists 100% oat flakes as the ingredients in Brinta Havermout.
  • You’ll need to measure out your own portion. According to the product information, it may contain traces of wheat and rye.

Elovena

Natural instant oatmeal is a plain option in individual sachets for anyone specifically looking for gluten-free instant porridge.

  • Albert Heijn describes this product as gluten-free and with no added sugars.
  • If gluten-free is essential for you, also check the claims and allergen information on the current packaging.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does porridge with no added sugars contain no sugars at all?

No, it may contain naturally occurring sugars. These are listed under ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table. Also read the ingredients list to see what has been added to the product.

How do I compare two types of porridge with different portion sizes?

Start by comparing similar dry products per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis to compare labels. Then check the weight of your own portion, along with the product’s ingredients and allergens.

Can I eat regular porridge oats if I have coeliac disease?

Not necessarily. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that oats may be contaminated with cereals containing gluten, and says people with coeliac disease should look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. Always check the pack you’re buying.

How can I make a less sweet bowl of porridge at Christmas?

Start with a plain base with no added sugars, then choose your own toppings, such as cinnamon, fruit or unsalted nuts. Fruit and milk can contain naturally occurring sugars, so consider the whole prepared bowl if you want to assess the amount of sugars.

How should I store instant porridge after opening?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the opened pack tightly. Also check the product’s best-before date.