Lunch planners who portion it themselves
You prepare several lunches in advance and can weigh out oats at home or at work. A large pack suits this routine if you can store the contents properly and have a suitable place to prepare the oats.
Which pack is right for you?
Working days with little time to prepare lunch
You want to take a measured portion with you without having to fill a container first. Check how much liquid and what equipment the sachets you choose require.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
You need to check whether a variety contains ingredients such as soya, wheat or barley. If you need a gluten-free option, the Voedingscentrum recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging when choosing oats.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to weigh out the portions yourself and how you can prepare the oats at work. Then compare the packaging and label of the specific variety.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and portion size | Check the pack size and stated portion size. Consider whether you can weigh out portions yourself and store them in a sealed container. | I prepare lunches for several working days and want to portion them myself from one pack; this kind of meal planning is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Preparation and taking it with you | Check whether the pack contains individual sachets and what liquid and equipment the preparation instructions specify. | On busy working days, I want to take a measured portion that I can prepare at work. Around 33% of consumers say convenience when portioning and preparing takes priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety. If you need a gluten-free option, check for the symbol on the packaging. | I want to know whether the ingredients meet my requirements before packing lunch; this is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a large pack is ready to serve as a lunch portion
With loose oats, you need to measure out a portion yourself. Preparation also varies by product: according to the product information, the 600 g Quaker pack can be prepared by cooking or in a microwave.
Before choosing a large pack for work, check that you have a container for your portion and a suitable place to prepare it.
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Relying on the word ‘oats’ when checking allergens
An oat product is not automatically gluten-free. The Voedingscentrum says oats can come into contact with gluten during processing; varieties with extra ingredients may also contain other allergens.
Read the allergen information on the pack you choose. If you need a gluten-free option, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
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Assuming Brinta is the same as oatmeal
Jumbo lists wholemeal wheat flour and salt as the ingredients in Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt. Its main grain is therefore different from that of oatmeal.
Choose Brinta only if you specifically want a wheat product. If you’re looking for oats, check the main ingredient.
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Not checking the packaging again after buying
Preparation instructions, ingredients, allergens and storage advice apply to the specific variety you’re using. A similar product name is no substitute for this information.
Check the label when dividing the oats into portions, and keep the use-by and storage information with your supplies.
Comparing brands and own-label products
These brands offer different product formats, from loose oats to individual portions. Check the main ingredient and preparation method on each pack: not every grain breakfast is oatmeal, and not every pack of oats contains instant portions.
Quaker
Offers both a larger pack of loose oats and Express varieties in individual portions.
- Albert Heijn lists fifteen 40 g portions in its 600 g pack of oats.
- Check the exact Express variety: the Protein variety listed by Albert Heijn contains soya and may contain wheat and barley.
Brinta
An alternative grain breakfast for anyone who specifically wants wheat instead of oats.
- Jumbo lists a 500 g pack of Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt.
- According to the listing, it contains wholemeal wheat flour and salt, and contains wheat; it is not instant oatmeal.
Albert Heijn huismerk
An option with loose, fine wholegrain oats that you can portion yourself.
- Albert Heijn lists a 500 g pack and a 40 g portion size.
- The preparation instructions say to use water or milk and cook briefly; check whether this is practical at work.
Jumbo huismerk
Offers both a large pack of loose oats and an individually packed portion option.
- Jumbo lists fine wholegrain oats in a 1 kg pack, as well as a variety with five 27 g portions.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation method for your chosen variety separately.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
An own-label option if you want to portion loose wholegrain oats yourself.
- ALDI lists 500 g of fine wholegrain oats and a 1 kg pack available in fine or coarse varieties.
- When choosing between fine and coarse oats, check the preparation instructions on the pack.
Lidl assortiment
An option for comparing a pack of rolled oats with oatmeal that you portion yourself.
- Lidl lists rolled oats in a 500 g pack.
- Check the ingredients and preparation method on the label before choosing them as an instant portion for work.
Quaker Express options on Joybuy
These two Quaker Express products are worth considering if you’re looking for oatmeal that takes little time to prepare for an office lunch. Check whether each pack contains individual portions; choosing a large pack of oats to portion yourself involves different practical considerations.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For anyone who wants to take pre-measured oats to work: Joybuy lists twelve individual portions and a two-minute preparation time in a microwave or saucepan.
Check that you’ll also have the required liquid and a suitable bowl or pan at work. Read the allergen information on the packaging.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
For anyone considering an Express Protein variety for an office lunch and wanting to fit preparation into their available break.
Check the preparation instructions and number of portions on the pack. Read the ingredients and allergen information carefully if soya, wheat or barley are relevant to you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a large pack with instant sachets?
Compare how many lunch portions you’ll get from the pack you choose, and how much work is involved in portioning and preparing them. With a large pack, you weigh out the oats yourself; with individual sachets, check the weight per sachet and what you’ll need at work to prepare them.
Can I prepare instant oatmeal at work without kitchen facilities?
Not necessarily: the preparation instructions will tell you what liquid and equipment you need. Albert Heijn’s listing for Quaker Oats Express Protein specifies milk and preparation on the hob or in a microwave. Check the instructions on the pack you buy.
How should I store a large pack of oats once it’s open?
Follow the storage advice on the pack you choose and seal it properly after use. Albert Heijn recommends storing its fine wholegrain oats in a cool, dark and dry place. If you transfer the contents to a storage jar and lunch containers, keep the use-by and product information with your supplies.
Are regular oats suitable if I need to choose gluten-free?
Don’t assume that regular oats are gluten-free. The Voedingscentrum points out that oats may be contaminated with gluten during processing and says that the packaging must display the official Crossed Grain symbol for oats to be considered gluten-free.
What should I check on the label for an office lunch?
Check the ingredients, allergens, instructions for use and best-before date of the product you’re taking with you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says food labels must include information about contents, use and shelf life, and sets requirements for how allergens are listed.