Shoppers looking to avoid added sugars
You want to check the label for ingredients such as sugar, honey or syrup. You also want to understand the difference between ‘no added sugars’ and the total sugars shown in the nutrition table.
Who is this for?
Stocking-up shoppers
You’re adding oats to your BBQ shop and want to choose a pack size that suits how often you use them and how you store them.
Busy breakfast planners
You’re looking for oats you can prepare without much effort, perhaps after a late BBQ. Fine flakes or pre-portioned plain sachets can be handy.
What should you look for?
First decide whether checking the ingredients, buying a larger pack or preparing breakfast quickly matters most to you. Then check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details for the product you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugars | Read the ingredients list and, for dry products, compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. | If I want to avoid sources of added sugar, I need to know what’s in the dry oats rather than relying only on the front of the pack. For around 40% of shoppers, checking the ingredients comes first. |
| Pack size | Choose a size that suits how you use the product and check the storage instructions. | If oats are a regular breakfast choice, I want to have enough in the cupboard without needing to use individual portions. Around 30% of shoppers prioritise having a good supply at home. |
| Ease of preparation | Check the preparation time and whether you need to measure the flakes yourself or can use pre-portioned sachets. | After a late BBQ, I want to make breakfast quickly, possibly without weighing anything out. For around 30% of shoppers, convenience is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’
The ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table also includes naturally occurring sugars. Any honey or syrup you add yourself will also change the composition of the prepared porridge.
Read both the ingredients list and the nutritional information per 100 g. Consider any additions separately if you’re keeping track of the sugar content of your breakfast.
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Comparing the nutritional values of prepared porridge with dry oats
For Brinta, the stated values per prepared serving are for oats made with 250 ml semi-skimmed milk. These figures therefore don’t relate to the dry flakes alone.
Check whether the values are for 100 g of dry product, a dry serving or the prepared product. Compare products on the same basis.
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Assuming all oats have the same allergen information
The product information for the Brinta and Quaker varieties discussed here mentions the possible presence of other cereals. So the general name ‘oats’ doesn’t tell you enough about a specific pack.
Check the allergen statement on the exact product if oats, other cereals or possible cross-contamination are relevant to you.
Brands to consider
Quaker
The Quaker product information discussed here includes both standard wholegrain oats and pre-portioned Oats Express Naturel.
- The standard oats list 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredient; Oats Express Naturel states that it contains no added sugars and comes in 27 g portions.
- Check the allergen statement for the specific variety for the possible presence of other cereals.
Brinta
Brinta Oats are an option if you’re looking for fine flakes to make hot porridge.
- The Brinta oats discussed here list 100% oat flakes as the ingredient and have extra-fine flakes.
- The product information mentions possible traces of wheat and rye; check the pack if this is relevant to you.
Jumbo huismerk
Jumbo’s oats range includes fine and coarse own-brand wholegrain flakes, as well as a choice of pack sizes.
- You can choose a flake texture and pack size to suit how you use the product.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product before choosing it to avoid added sugars.
Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge offers 500 g of fine wholegrain oats in the ALDI range discussed here.
- The product is labelled as fine wholegrain oats.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack before deciding whether this variety meets your needs.
Oats at Joybuy
This range includes plain pre-portioned sachets, fine flakes and standard oats in a choice of pack sizes. Choose based on the ingredients, how you want to prepare them and the information on the exact pack.
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Quaker Oats Express Naturel oats 324 g
For anyone who wants pre-portioned plain oats for a quick breakfast. The pack contains 12 portions of 27 g, with a stated preparation time of around 2 minutes. Check the allergen statement on the pack if possible traces of other cereals or soya are relevant to you.
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Brinta Oats 450 g
For anyone who wants fine flakes for hot porridge. The pack contains 450 g; the Brinta Oats discussed here list 100% oat flakes as the ingredient. Check the allergen statement on the current pack, particularly because it may contain traces of wheat and rye.
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Quaker Oats 600 g
For anyone looking for standard oats in a 600 g pack. Read the ingredients list if you want to avoid added sugars, and check the allergen statement if the possible presence of wheat or barley is relevant to you.
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Quaker Oats 375 g
For anyone looking for standard oats in a 375 g pack. Check the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the pack separately; for allergens, also look out for the possible presence of wheat and barley.
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Zonnatura organic wholegrain oats 500 g
For anyone looking for fine oat flakes in a 500 g pack. Check the ingredients and allergen statement on the current pack if possible traces of soya, milk, nuts or sesame are relevant to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean that oats contain no sugars?
No. A product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars. The ‘of which sugars’ figure shows the total amount of sugars; also read the ingredients list if you want to identify additions such as sugar, honey or syrup.
How do I compare the nutritional values of two types of oats?
Compare the nutritional values of similar dry products per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this basis because serving sizes can vary. Also check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact varieties.
Which oats can I prepare quickly after a BBQ?
Fine oat flakes or pre-portioned plain sachets are a good choice for a breakfast that needs little preparation. Brinta gives an example recipe for its oats using 40 g of flakes and 250 ml of milk; Quaker Oats Express Naturel has a stated preparation time of around 2 minutes. Follow the instructions on the pack you’re using.
Are standard oats automatically suitable if I need to avoid gluten?
No. Don’t rely on the product name alone. The Brinta Oats discussed here may contain traces of wheat and rye, while the Quaker varieties discussed here mention the possible presence of other cereals. Check the allergen statement and any gluten-free labelling on the exact pack.