Which oats are right for you?

If you eat oats often

If you regularly eat plain oats, a larger pack may suit how much you use. Then decide whether you prefer fine or coarse flakes.

If you want to avoid added sugars

If you’re looking for a neutral oat base, check both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. A product with no added sugars isn’t automatically sugar-free.

If you need individual portions or a gluten-free label

Individual portions can be useful when you take oats with you. If an explicit gluten-free label is essential for your choice, check the packaging; don’t rely on oats being the only ingredient.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by understanding what the label means, then choose a pack size that suits how much you use. Check the preparation time or gluten-free labelling separately if either is a deciding factor for you.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar labelling Check the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; don’t treat ‘no added sugars’ as another way of saying ‘sugar-free’. I want to avoid added sugars, but also understand exactly what the claim on the packaging means. Around 45% of consumers prioritise this distinction on the label.
Pack size Check the pack contents and choose an amount that suits how often you eat oats. If I eat oats often, I don’t want to choose a pack that doesn’t suit how much I use. Around 35% of consumers prioritise this consideration.
Preparation convenience Check the preparation instructions and whether individual portions would be useful for you. For a breakfast I take with me, measured portions are more practical than a large pack. An estimated 10% of consumers prioritise this convenience.
Gluten-free labelling Look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the current allergen information. If I can only use a product with a gluten-free label, plain oats in the ingredients list aren’t enough. Around 10% of consumers consider this label the most important factor.

Common mistakes

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

    Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, ‘sugar-free’ may only be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn and Jumbo each list 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g for the plain oats mentioned here; the Quaker Oats mentioned contain 1.1 g.

    If this claim is important to your choice, check the sugar content per 100 g on the exact pack you’re buying.

  • Choosing portion sachets when you don’t need them

    Individual portions offer a different kind of convenience from a standard pack. They’re most useful when you want to take oats with you or don’t want to measure out a portion yourself.

    Choose a pack size that suits where and how you prepare your oats.

  • Comparing prepared porridge with dry oats

    Albert Heijn lists 12 g of sugars for a serving of Brinta Havermout prepared with 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk. This figure doesn’t describe the dry oat flakes on their own.

    Compare dry products on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and keep any ingredients you add during preparation separate.

  • Assuming plain oats are automatically gluten-free

    The allergen information for plain oats may also mention other cereals containing gluten or possible traces of them. ‘Oats’ as an ingredient is no substitute for a gluten-free label.

    If you need that label, check the exact pack and the latest allergen information.

Brands to consider

Jumbo

Own brand offering plain wholegrain rolled oats in a range of pack sizes.

  • According to Jumbo, its 500 g fine wholegrain variety contains only wholegrain oat flakes and 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The same variety lists 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g, so it doesn’t meet the EU threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Check the details of the 1 kg pack separately.

Albert Heijn

Own brand for anyone looking for fine wholegrain rolled oats as a neutral base.

  • For AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken, Albert Heijn lists wholegrain oat flakes as the ingredient and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • The same pack lists 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g: here, ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’.

Golden Bridge

Brand of a 500 g pack of fine wholegrain oats listed by ALDI.

  • The product listing describes fine wholegrain oats, so you can compare this pack size with other standard packs.
  • Before choosing, check the ingredients, sugar content and allergen information on the exact pack.

Quaker

Brand offering plain oats and a separate portioned plain variety.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the 375 g pack of Quaker Havermout contains 100% wholegrain oats and has ‘no added sugars’. The product description says Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes around two minutes to prepare.
  • The plain variety lists 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g; for Quaker Oats Express Naturel, too, ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’.

Brinta

A brand to consider if you’re interested in the extra-fine texture of the oats mentioned here.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product description, Brinta Havermout is made from 100% oat flakes, which are extra fine.
  • The listed sugar content for a serving with semi-skimmed milk shouldn’t be mistaken for the sugar content of the dry flakes.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are plain oats automatically sugar-free?

No. Under European Union Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim applies to products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. The plain oats from Albert Heijn and Jumbo mentioned here each list 0.7 g per 100 g; the Quaker Havermout mentioned lists 1.1 g.

What does ‘no added sugars’ mean?

This EU claim means that no sugars or other foods used for their sweetening properties have been added. Sugars that occur naturally may still be present, so check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the pack too.

When are portion sachets useful?

Portion sachets are useful if you want to take oats with you or don’t want to measure out a portion yourself. According to Albert Heijn’s product description, Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes around two minutes to prepare; check that this preparation method suits your routine.

Are all oats labelled gluten-free?

No. Check the exact pack for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and read the allergen information. Albert Heijn lists this label for the Leev Superieur havermout mentioned here; oats as an ingredient alone don’t confirm that a product is gluten-free.