Lunch planners who count portions
You regularly make warm oatmeal and want to know in advance how many lunches you can get from one pack.
Which pack is right for you?
Households who choose their own toppings
You keep plain oatmeal in the cupboard and add your own toppings for lunch, such as fruit, nuts or a plant-based drink.
Lunch makers short on preparation time
You want a pre-measured portion that you can prepare quickly in a pan or microwave.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the amount you actually use for each lunch. A 40 g portion is a useful example for comparing the Jumbo and Quaker packs covered here, but it won’t suit every lunch.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of lunch portions | Compare the pack weight with your own portion size; 1 kg makes 25 portions at 40 g each. | If you eat oatmeal often, you’ll want to know how long one pack will last without changing your portion size. For around 50% of consumers, the number of lunch portions comes first. |
| Storage and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check whether you can store an opened pack in a cool, dry place with the pack tightly closed. | You like to put your own lunch together and want a plain base close at hand. This is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Portioning and preparation | Check the amount in each sachet, the preparation instructions and whether you can use a pan or microwave. | When your lunch break is short, you don’t want to weigh out oatmeal first. Around 20% of consumers prioritise pre-measured portions and quick preparation. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming regular oatmeal is gluten-free
Regular oats can come into contact with gluten-containing cereals during processing. The standard packs covered here list oats and state that other cereals may be present.
If you need gluten-free oatmeal because of coeliac disease, choose a pack bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol and check the current label when you buy it. The Voedingscentrum advises that regular processed oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease.
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Choosing a large pack without space to store it
A 1 kg pack is most practical if you use it regularly. For the Jumbo oatmeal covered here, the instructions say to close the pack tightly after opening and store it in a cool, dry place.
Think about how many portions you really make and whether you can store the opened pack properly; a 500 or 600 g pack may be a better fit if you use less.
An opened large pack needs more attention to storage to help prevent unused oatmeal from going to waste.
Brands compared
These examples show the pack sizes and formats you can compare. The features listed apply to the products described, not to a brand’s entire range.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s fine wholegrain oatmeal comes in a 1 kg pack, ideal if you regularly put together your own warm lunch.
- The pack lists wholegrain oat flakes as an ingredient and states that it contains 25 portions of 40 g.
- The label lists oats and states that barley, rye and wheat may be present; don’t treat this standard variety as gluten-free.
Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge fine wholegrain oatmeal at ALDI comes in a 500 g pack, making it a good option if you want to start with a smaller amount.
- The 500 g pack takes up less storage space than the 1 kg Jumbo pack described here.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy.
Quaker
In this comparison, Quaker offers both regular oatmeal in a 600 g pack and Oats Express Naturel in pre-portioned sachets.
- The 600 g pack described here states that it contains 100% wholegrain oatmeal and 9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- According to Albert Heijn, Oats Express Naturel contains 12 sachets of 27 g and takes 2 minutes to prepare.
- The products list allergens and state that other cereals may be present; check the label on the variety you choose.
Oatmeal at Joybuy
This 600 g pack is a good fit if you want to portion and customise your own warm oatmeal lunch. Before choosing, compare how much you use per lunch and read the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
A pack for anyone who wants to portion out their own oatmeal for a warm lunch. Check the preparation instructions and, if gluten is a concern for you, the allergen information on the current pack.
Frequently asked questions
How much oatmeal should I use for a warm lunch?
A 40 g portion of dry oatmeal is a useful starting point, based on the Jumbo and Quaker packs described here; adjust the amount to suit your lunch. The 1 kg Jumbo pack states that it contains 25 portions of this size. The preparation instructions for the Quaker oatmeal described here call for 250 ml of milk or water per 40 g portion.
Is regular oatmeal gluten-free?
Regular oatmeal is not automatically gluten-free. According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. If you need gluten-free oatmeal because of coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain symbol and check the current label.
What allergen information should I look for on an oatmeal pack?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack, even if you’ve bought the same brand before. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly stated on the label; the standard products described here list oats and state that other cereals may be present.
How should I store an opened pack?
Store the Jumbo oatmeal described here in a cool, dry place and close the pack tightly after use. Also check the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack you’ve bought.