Label-conscious shopper
You want to know how much fat the oatmeal contains and what milk, yoghurt and toppings add to your breakfast. So, don’t compare dry oatmeal directly with the nutritional values of a prepared dish.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Stock-up shopper
You eat oatmeal regularly and are looking for a pack that suits your usage and cupboard space. The pack size alone won’t tell you whether you’re buying a tin, a resealable pack or several individual packs.
Shopper who needs to choose gluten-free
You need a pack of oatmeal with a suitable gluten-free label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary oats are not automatically interchangeable with oats bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol for people with coeliac disease.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the nutritional information for the dry oatmeal and how you usually prepare it. Then choose a pack you can store and use up. If you need to eat gluten-free, check for that label before considering your other preferences.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and preparation | Compare fat and saturates per 100 g, and check separately what you add to the oats. | If I want to limit my fat intake, I want to assess the whole breakfast, not just the dry oats. This is a priority for around 42% of shoppers. |
| Storage and packaging | Check the net weight, packaging material and seal; choose an amount that suits how much you use. | Anyone who eats oatmeal often wants to stock up without being left with an inconveniently large opened pack. This need takes priority for around 33% of shoppers. |
| Portion convenience | Check whether the pack contains individual portions and read the ingredients if you’re considering a flavoured variety. | I don’t want to measure out oats every morning, but I still want to know what’s in my portion. This is the most important consideration for around 17% of shoppers. |
| Gluten-free labelling | Check for the gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the pack. | If I need to eat gluten-free, I can’t rely on the word ‘oats’ alone. Around 8% of shoppers put this requirement first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming oatmeal is automatically low in fat
Under EU rules for the ‘low fat’ nutrition claim, solid foods must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, plain Quaker oatmeal in the 600 g pack contains 8 g of fat per 100 g, so it does not meet the requirements for this claim.
Check the fat content per 100 g on the pack. Also consider your portion and what you add to the oatmeal when assessing your breakfast.
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Assuming a larger pack is a tin
A label such as ‘value pack’ tells you about the quantity on offer, not the material, closure or number of individual packs. Those are the details that determine how well the packaging will suit your cupboard.
Before buying, check the packaging material, net weight and closure, and whether it’s a single pack or a multipack.
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Assuming ordinary oats are the same as gluten-free oatmeal
Oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. For people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says suitable oat products must bear the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack.
Check the label each time you buy, rather than relying on the word ‘oats’.
Brands to consider
Brinta
The Brinta Oatmeal 450 g described here is an option if you’re looking for extra-fine flakes.
- Albert Heijn describes these oat flakes as extra fine and quick to prepare.
- Nutritional values for a preparation with semi-skimmed milk are not the same as those for dry oats or oats prepared with water.
Quaker
The range described includes plain oatmeal in a 600 g pack and Oats Express Naturel in individual portions.
- Quaker lists Oats Express Naturel as containing 12 portion packs.
- According to Albert Heijn, plain oatmeal in the 600 g pack contains 8 g of fat per 100 g. So don’t assume it meets the low-fat nutrition claim just because it’s oatmeal.
Albert Heijn
The AH Gluten-Free Wholegrain Oatmeal 450 g described here is relevant if gluten-free labelling is a requirement for your purchase.
- Albert Heijn states that it is produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
- A gluten-free label does not, by itself, mean that a product meets the low-fat nutrition claim.
Jumbo
The range described includes fine and coarse oat flakes, a 1 kg pack and individual portions.
- The different pack formats let you choose between measuring out your own portions and using individual ones.
- Check whether each product’s packaging suits the way you store it after opening.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
The Golden Bridge range described includes fine and coarse wholegrain oatmeal; the fine variety is listed in a 500 g pack.
- You can choose between different types of flakes within this range.
- For a choice based on nutritional values, read all the information on the pack.
Lidl
The Lidl variety described is made up of coarse oat flakes in a 500 g pack.
- The stated flake type and pack weight help you compare packaging options.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional values on the label if they’re important to your choice.
Oatmeal at Joybuy
These two Quaker products let you choose between a pack of plain oatmeal that you can measure out yourself and an Express variety for convenient portions. If you specifically want a tin, check the packaging format of both products.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
For anyone who eats oatmeal regularly and wants to choose their own portion size and preparation method.
According to Albert Heijn, plain Quaker oatmeal in the 600 g pack contains 8 g of fat per 100 g. Check that the packaging material and closure suit your cupboard.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For anyone who prefers portion packs to measuring oatmeal out of a larger pack each time.
Check the number of portions and the nutritional information for this variety on the pack. The milk, yoghurt and toppings you choose also affect the fat content of your prepared breakfast.
Frequently asked questions
Is plain oatmeal low in fat?
Not automatically. Under EU rules for the ‘low fat’ nutrition claim, solid foods may contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. According to Albert Heijn, plain Quaker oatmeal in the 600 g pack contains 8 g per 100 g. For a lower-fat breakfast, also consider your portion size and how you prepare it.
What should I consider when preparing oatmeal?
Assess the dry oatmeal and your additions separately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes preparing it with semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, or yoghurt, without added sugar or salt. Also consider which toppings you use when working out the fat content of your whole breakfast.
Is all oatmeal suitable if I need to eat gluten-free?
No. Ordinary oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. For people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says suitable oat products must bear the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack.
What should I check when buying oatmeal to keep in the cupboard?
Check the net weight, packaging material, closure and best-before date. A large pack isn’t automatically a tin or a multipack. Also consider whether you can keep the contents dry and securely closed after opening.