If you want to control how sweet your recipe is
If you use oatmeal for biscuits, crumble or porridge, a plain base lets you choose what to add. Check both the ingredients list and the nutritional information per 100 g.
Which option is right for you?
If you have little time to prepare food
For Christmas breakfast or a small brunch, pre-measured plain portions can save you weighing ingredients. Just check that the portion size suits what you’re making.
If protein content matters to you
You can compare the protein content per 100 g when choosing oatmeal for a meal. If you’re considering a variety with added soya protein, check the allergen information for your guests too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a loose base for a recipe, a pre-measured portion or a variety with added protein. Then compare dry products per 100 g and assess milk and toppings separately.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetening it yourself | Read the ingredients list and compare total sugars per 100 g of dry oatmeal. Check any ingredients added to the recipe separately. | When I make biscuits or porridge, I want to choose which sweetening ingredients go in. For around 45% of consumers, that control could be the main reason to buy. |
| Measuring and preparing quickly | Check the portion size and preparation instructions, and choose an amount that suits your dish. | At a busy Christmas breakfast, I want to be able to make a portion without weighing it first. Speed could be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Protein content | Compare the protein content per 100 g and check where the protein comes from, including the allergen information. | When oatmeal makes up a meal, I want to know whether added soya protein is right for me. Extra protein could be the deciding factor for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
The nutrition table also includes sugars that are naturally present. Milk, fruit and other additions will also change the sugar content of the dish.
Check the ingredients list and the sugars per 100 g. Then assess separately what you add to the oatmeal.
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Comparing a prepared portion with dry oatmeal
For a portion prepared with milk, the sugars shown won’t necessarily come from the oatmeal alone. This means the values for a prepared portion and dry oats can’t be compared directly.
Compare dry oatmeal products per 100 g, and account for milk, yoghurt and toppings separately in your recipe.
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Assuming ordinary oatmeal is gluten-free
The Quaker and Brinta varieties described may contain other cereals, including wheat, barley or rye. So the product name alone won’t tell you whether a variety is suitable for a guest’s dietary requirements.
If a guest has coeliac disease or a relevant allergy, check the label on the exact product and make sure your choice fits their dietary requirements.
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Assuming a flavour name tells you about sugar
A festive flavour doesn’t, in itself, tell you anything about the ingredients or total sugars in an oatmeal variety.
For a flavoured product, check the ingredients and nutritional information. With plain oatmeal, you can choose flavourings separately.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Among the varieties described, you can choose loose oatmeal, quick-cook plain portions or a plain variety with added soya protein.
- Quaker Netherlands states that Havermout Original contains 100% wholegrain oats, no added sugars and 1.1 g total sugars per 100 g. Jumbo describes Oats Express Naturel as a pack of 12 portions.
- The varieties described may contain other cereals; according to Albert Heijn, the Protein variety also contains 15% soya protein. Check the packaging if you have allergies.
Brinta
The oatmeal described is made from fine oat flakes, suitable for porridge or a recipe where you choose the additions yourself.
- Albert Heijn lists 100% oat flakes as the ingredient. Joybuy states that Brinta Oatmeal contains 0.8 g total sugars per 100 g.
- According to the product information, this oatmeal may contain rye and wheat. Check the label if you’re cooking for a guest.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands describes coarse oat flakes in a 500 g pack, available in store.
- Coarse flakes are another product type to consider if texture matters for your recipe.
- If sugar content or an allergen will determine your choice, check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging of the exact variety.
Oatmeal products on Joybuy
This selection includes pre-measured plain portions alongside oatmeal products for dishes where you choose the other ingredients yourself. Check the packaging of the exact product for the sugar and allergen information relevant to your recipe.
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Quaker Express oatmeal 324 g
For anyone who wants to prepare a pre-measured plain portion quickly. Joybuy describes a pack of 12 portions, with a preparation time of around 2 minutes. If you have allergies, check for possible traces of soya, barley and wheat.
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Brinta oatmeal 450 g
For anyone looking for oat flakes as a base for porridge or a recipe they can put together themselves. The product information lists 100% oat flakes and 0.8 g total sugars per 100 g of dry product. According to Albert Heijn, the product may contain rye and wheat.
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Quaker oatmeal 600 g
For anyone who wants to use loose oatmeal as a base and choose their own additions. Quaker Netherlands states that it contains 100% wholegrain oats, no added sugars and 1.1 g total sugars per 100 g. If you have allergies, check for the possible presence of barley and wheat.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
For anyone considering an oatmeal product for a Christmas dish they’re putting together themselves. Compare the ingredients and sugars per 100 g on the packaging with other varieties, and check the allergen information before serving it to guests.
Frequently asked questions
Is oatmeal with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the nutrition table also lists sugars that occur naturally in a product. Quaker Netherlands states that Havermout Original has no added sugars, but does contain 1.1 g total sugars per 100 g.
How do I compare nutritional values if the packaging shows a prepared portion?
First compare dry oatmeal per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends when comparing labels. For a prepared portion, check whether milk or other ingredients are already included in the values shown.
Can I serve ordinary oatmeal to someone with coeliac disease?
Don’t assume it’s suitable. The Quaker and Brinta products described may contain other cereals, including wheat, barley or rye. Check the label on the exact product and take your guest’s dietary requirements into account.
Should I still read the packaging after buying online?
Yes. Before use, check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information on the packaging you receive. This is particularly important if you want to avoid an ingredient or are cooking for a guest with an allergy.