Who is this choice for?

Shoppers comparing sugar information

You want to avoid added sugars, so you check both the ingredients and the amount of sugars per 100 g.

Shoppers with a short lunch break

You’re looking for porridge that suits the facilities available at work, and want to spend as little time as possible measuring it out.

Shoppers who portion their own oats

You have a bowl and a suitable way to prepare your porridge, and prefer to decide for yourself how much to use.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether an individual sachet or oats you weigh out yourself will suit your lunch break. Then check the sugar information and preparation method for the specific variety.

What to consider What to check before buying Especially relevant for
Sugar information Read the ingredients and compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Don’t rely on ‘no added sugars’ alone. If you want to avoid added sugar, you’ll also want to know how much sugar the product contains overall. This is the main consideration for around 42% of shoppers.
Preparation and portions Check what liquid and equipment you’ll need, and how long the chosen variety takes to prepare. During a short break, you’ll want to be able to prepare your porridge with what’s available at work, without having to weigh it out first. This convenience comes first for around 33% of shoppers.
Portioning your own oats and allergens Check the portion instructions and read the allergen information on the current packaging. If you want to decide how much porridge to make yourself, you’ll also need to consider ingredients relevant to your dietary needs. This is the main consideration for around 25% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

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

    A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. For example, Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g for its fine wholegrain porridge oats.

    For each variety, check both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

  • Assuming a flavoured variety is the same as the plain one

    Quaker Netherlands lists sugar in the ingredients for Oats Express Banaan, while the ingredients list for Oats Express Naturel mentions only wholegrain oats.

    Check the ingredients for the exact flavour and pack you’re choosing.

  • Judging allergens by the product name

    According to Quaker Netherlands, Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat. Albert Heijn also notes that its fine porridge oats may contain other cereals.

    If you have an allergy or need to follow a medically necessary diet, read the allergen information on the current packaging.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Quaker

Oats Express Naturel is a porridge option in individual sachets, prepared in a microwave or in a pan.

  • According to Quaker Netherlands, the only ingredient in Oats Express Naturel is wholegrain oats.
  • Quaker Netherlands notes that it may contain soya, barley and wheat; check the current packaging if this is important to you.

Albert Heijn

AH fine wholegrain porridge oats are an option if you’d like to portion and prepare your lunch yourself.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g for these oats.
  • The product information notes that they may contain barley, spelt, rye and wheat.

Golden Bridge

ALDI lists Golden Bridge Fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack for those who want to measure out their own portions.

  • These fine wholegrain oats give you a base for putting together your own lunch portion.
  • Before choosing this variety to suit your sugar preferences, check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.

A porridge option at Joybuy

This pack of porridge oats may suit you if you’re looking for an individual portion for a quick desk lunch. Compare the preparation instructions, sugar information and allergens on the packaging before choosing.

Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g pack

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

An option for a quick desk lunch if you want to prepare your porridge in individual portions; check the preparation method for this pack.

Pack size: 324 g. Check the sugar value per 100 g and the allergens on the current packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No. ‘No added sugars’ refers to what has been added to the product, while ‘sugar-free’ refers to its sugar content. So also check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars for its fine wholegrain porridge oats, but 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

Can I prepare Quaker Oats Express Naturel without a hob?

Yes. According to the product information from Albert Heijn, you can prepare it in a microwave with milk. The instructions say to heat it for two minutes at 800 W with 180 ml of milk; follow the instructions on the pack you’re using.

Should I check for other cereals and allergens in porridge oats?

Yes, check the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. Quaker Netherlands notes that Oats Express Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat; Albert Heijn’s fine porridge oats may contain barley, spelt, rye and wheat, among other cereals.