Parents looking to avoid added sugars
You’re looking for a simple oat base for little ones and want to distinguish between added sugars and the total amount of sugars in the prepared portion.
Who are these options for?
Families who need to consider gluten
If a child needs to eat gluten-free, ordinary porridge oats aren’t automatically suitable. Check the gluten-free label and allergen information on the pack.
Parents who want to prepare a portion quickly
For a meal at home or at childcare, choosing between fine oats and sachets may come down to preparation time and how easy they are to measure. Ingredients and allergens still matter.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose an oat product with ingredients that suit your needs. Then check the allergens and decide which preparation method and portion size will work best for you.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugars | Read the ingredients and compare ‘of which sugars’ with any information about added sugars. Check separately what you add to the prepared portion. | If I’m choosing what to add to the oats myself, I want a base with a clear ingredient list; around 50% of consumers prioritise avoiding added sugars. |
| Gluten and allergens | Check the latest allergen information and, if gluten-free food is essential, the gluten-free label. If food is being provided, ask about the school or after-school club’s rules. | If my child needs to avoid gluten or there are rules about bringing in food, that determines which pack I can choose; around 30% of consumers consider this check the most important. |
| Preparation and portion size | Compare the preparation instructions and the amount per portion or pack. | When mealtimes are busy, I want to choose between quick-to-prepare oats and a pre-measured portion; around 20% of consumers give this convenience top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
Quaker says that its ordinary porridge oats may contain naturally occurring sugars. Milk, yoghurt, fruit and other additions also change the nutritional content of the prepared portion.
Read the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition information. Check separately what you add to the porridge oats.
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Assuming ordinary oats are always gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten. Packs containing only oats as an ingredient may also carry warnings about other cereals.
If gluten-free food is essential, check the gluten-free label and the latest allergen information. If food is being taken in, also ask about the school or after-school club’s policy.
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Choosing a single-portion pack without checking what’s inside
A sachet gives you a measured amount, while a larger pack lets you serve it yourself. The amount in each sachet may not match the portion you want to make.
Compare the number of sachets, the amount in each one and the preparation instructions with those for loose oats.
Brands to consider
Brinta
Brinta Porridge Oats are a fine-oat option if you want to prepare a warm portion.
- Albert Heijn lists 100% oats as the ingredient for this variety.
- The allergen information lists oats and possible traces of wheat and rye; check the pack if gluten is a concern.
Quaker
Quaker offers both ordinary porridge oats and Express Naturel in individual portions.
- The varieties described by Albert Heijn are based on wholegrain oats; Express Naturel contains 12 portion sachets of 27 g.
- ‘No added sugar’ doesn’t rule out naturally occurring sugars. Check the allergen information for each variety too.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s fine wholegrain oats are a simple base that you can prepare yourself.
- The product information lists wholegrain oats as the ingredient and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
- If gluten is a concern, check the allergen information on the current pack.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other options, coarse wholegrain oats if you prefer that texture.
- The coarse variety described by Jumbo lists wholegrain oats as the ingredient.
- The allergen information lists oats and the possible presence of barley, rye and wheat.
Porridge products on Joybuy
These two Quaker packs offer a choice between a portion-sized oat product and a larger pack that you can measure from yourself. Before preparing them, always check the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens on the pack.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g
Worth considering if pre-measured portions would be handy at mealtimes. Check how many portions are in the pack, how to prepare them and which allergens are listed on the label.
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Quaker Oatmeal, 600 g
Worth considering if you want to measure out the amount of porridge oats for each portion yourself. Check how much sugar the oats contain, and read the ingredients and allergen information for this pack.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean porridge oats contain no sugars?
No. Albert Heijn says that Quaker Porridge Oats contain naturally occurring sugars. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition information too, and consider separately what you add to the oats.
Are ordinary porridge oats suitable if a child needs to eat gluten-free?
Ordinary porridge oats aren’t automatically suitable. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten. If gluten-free food is essential, check that the pack you choose is labelled gluten-free and read the allergen information.
How can you prepare porridge without adding sugar?
Start with an unsweetened oat base and don’t add sugar during preparation. Choose whether to use milk, yoghurt or fruit, and bear in mind that these additions change the nutritional value of the finished portion.