Parents who pay attention to ingredients
You’re looking for wholegrain oats with no added sugar or salt, in line with the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s breakfast advice for children aged 1 to 3.
Who is this choice important for?
Parents short on time in the morning
You want to spend less time measuring, but you also need to know how much oatmeal is in a sachet and how it needs to be prepared.
Parents who need to check allergens
If your child has a relevant allergy or coeliac disease, or the nursery or school has specific rules, the ingredients, possible traces and current label will all be important when choosing.
What should you look for when choosing?
Compare the ingredients and allergens first. Then decide whether a set sachet size would be useful, or whether you’d rather measure out the amount yourself.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Check that the oats are wholegrain and read the ingredients to see whether sugar or salt has been added. | I want to choose a breakfast cereal that fits the advice for my toddler, rather than relying on the front of the pack. For around 33% of consumers, ingredients are the most important factor. |
| Amount per serving | Compare the contents of a sachet with what your child usually eats; you can measure out loose oats yourself. | If my child doesn’t always eat the same amount, I want to be able to adjust the serving and avoid leftovers. Getting the portion right is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Preparation time | Check how much liquid and preparation time the product requires, and allow time for it to cool. | On a busy morning, I want to spend less time measuring, as long as I can still prepare the porridge and let it cool without rushing. Around 20% of consumers give convenience the highest priority. |
| Allergens and venue policies | Read the current allergen label and ask about the nursery or school’s rules if you’re taking it along. | I need to know whether the ingredients and possible traces are suitable for my child, and whether I’m allowed to bring in breakfast. For an estimated 20% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a sachet is the right portion for every toddler
The Quaker and Jumbo portion products reviewed each contain 27 g per sachet. That pack size doesn’t determine how much is right for your child; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre refers to child-sized portions for toddlers.
Compare the sachet contents with what your child usually eats. If you often need a different amount, you can measure out loose oats yourself.
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Skipping the ingredients because it says wholegrain
Jumbo lists both wholegrain oat flakes and sugar in its Havermout Porties Original. So the word ‘wholegrain’ on the pack doesn’t automatically mean that no sugar has been added.
Read the ingredients list and nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt for babies and toddlers.
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Assuming ordinary oats are automatically gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten. The Quaker Oats Express Naturel pack reviewed lists oats and gluten, and also states that barley and wheat may be present.
If a gluten-free diet is needed, check that the product you choose is labelled gluten-free and take steps to avoid cross-contamination. Check the label again every time you buy it.
Brands compared
Quaker
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is one option if you want oatmeal measured out in advance: Albert Heijn lists 12 sachets of 27 g.
- The Naturel variety reviewed lists wholegrain oats with no added sugar and a preparation time of around 2 minutes.
- A sachet isn’t automatically the right portion for a toddler. Also check the listed gluten and possible presence of soya, barley and wheat.
Brinta
Brinta Havermout is loose oatmeal for parents who want to measure out the amount themselves.
- The variety described by Albert Heijn contains 100% oat flakes and is sold in a 450 g pack.
- You’ll need to measure it out yourself. According to the product information, this variety may contain wheat and rye.
Jumbo
According to Jumbo, Jumbo Havermout Porties Original contains five 27 g sachets.
- The individual sachets save you from having to measure out a set amount.
- The ingredients in this Original variety include sugar. This means it doesn’t fit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice to choose a breakfast cereal with no added sugar.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
ALDI describes Golden Bridge fine and coarse wholegrain oats, sold in 500 g packs.
- With loose oats, you can measure out the amount you need for breakfast yourself.
- Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack for the variety you choose.
Crownfield (Lidl)
Lidl describes Crownfield Organic Oatmeal as loose oats sold in a 500 g pack.
- The loose pack lets you decide how much to use.
- Organic labelling alone tells you nothing about added sugar, salt or allergens; check the label on the pack you choose.
Oatmeal on Joybuy
If you’re considering oatmeal in individual portions, compare the amount in each sachet, the preparation instructions and the allergen label on this Quaker pack with what your toddler needs.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for individual portions for your toddler’s breakfast; check how much is in each sachet before using it as a child-sized portion.
The pack contains 324 g in total. Before use, read the current preparation instructions and allergen information, especially if your child follows a specific diet.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for first when choosing oatmeal for a toddler?
Choose wholegrain oatmeal with no added sugar or salt, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends for breakfast cereals for children aged 1 to 3. If oatmeal replaces bread at breakfast, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends giving your child two slices of bread at another time during the day.
Is one sachet of oatmeal automatically the right portion for a toddler?
No, a sachet’s contents won’t be right for every child. The Quaker Oats Express Naturel and Jumbo Havermout Porties Original portion sachets reviewed each contain 27 g; compare this with what your child usually eats and the rest of their daily menu.
Is ordinary oatmeal suitable if my child needs to eat gluten-free?
Don’t assume that it is: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten. If your child follows a gluten-free diet, check the labelling on the specific product and take care to avoid cross-contamination during preparation. If your child has a wheat allergy, ask which ingredients and possible traces need to be avoided.
Can I take oatmeal to the nursery or school for my child?
Ask in advance about the nursery or school’s rules for food brought from home. Also check the current allergen label; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on prepacked foods.
Is oatmeal with a protein claim a better choice for a toddler?
A protein claim alone isn’t a reason to choose that variety. Compare the ingredients with the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice to choose wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt. The Quaker Express Havermout Proteïne described also contains soya protein and soya lecithin, so check the label if your child has a soya allergy.