Families who eat oats regularly
If you make porridge regularly, a larger pack may be worth considering. Check that the net weight suits your household’s needs and that you can store the contents somewhere dry and keep them well sealed after opening.
Which pack size is right for you?
Families who like to add their own sweetness
Plain wholegrain oats leave you free to add your own fruit or cinnamon. If you’re also considering flavoured varieties, compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g.
Families with busy mornings
Pre-measured portions save you the effort of measuring. Just check how many portions are in a pack and whether that’s enough for your family.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how much oats your family uses. Then choose between a plain base you can flavour yourself and a pack that makes measuring easier.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Net weight and storage instructions; choose a large pack that suits how much you use. | If oats are a regular breakfast, I want to have enough in the cupboard without leaving a pack open for too long. Around 42% of consumers prioritise having the right amount in stock for their household. |
| Adding your own sweetness | Ingredients and nutritional information, including added sugars and salt per 100 g. | I’d rather add my own fruit or cinnamon than choose a pre-sweetened base. For around 33% of consumers, having their own choice of flavourings matters most. |
| Convenience in the morning | Preparation instructions and the number of portions in a pack. | On a busy morning, I don’t want to measure out oats every time. Avoiding the need to measure is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing based on sweetness alone
Flavoured varieties may list sugar, honey or syrup among their ingredients. With plain oats, you can decide how sweet to make them by adding fruit or cinnamon, for example.
Read the ingredients and compare the nutritional information per 100 g before choosing a pack to stock up on for your family.
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Assuming individual portions and a large pack provide the same amount for your family
Individual portions save you measuring, but a pack won’t necessarily contain the amount a family needs for regular use. For example, Quaker describes Oats Express Naturel as a pack containing 12 portions.
Count how many breakfasts you want to get from the pack, and choose individual portions if the convenience of having them pre-measured matters to you.
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Assuming ordinary oats are suitable for people with coeliac disease
According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing. Brinta Havermout may contain traces of wheat and rye.
If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, check every time that the pack carries the official Crossed Grain symbol.
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Opening a large pack without planning where to store it
A larger pack is only practical if you’ll use all the contents and can store them properly after opening.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you use, and store the oats somewhere dry with the pack tightly sealed.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo offers fine and coarse wholegrain oats, including a value pack of 1 kg of fine oats.
- The 1 kg pack is an option for households that eat oats regularly.
- Choose the larger pack only if its size suits your usage and storage space.
Albert Heijn
AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken comes in a 500 g pack, for anyone who wants to add their own flavourings.
- For this specific variety, Albert Heijn lists wholegrain oat flakes as the ingredient and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
- Don’t assume this product information applies to other AH varieties without checking the label.
Quaker
Quaker offers plain oats and Oats Express Naturel in pre-measured portions.
- According to Quaker, Oats Express Naturel contains 12 individual portions.
- If you’re choosing a pack of individual portions, check that the total amount is enough for the number of breakfasts you want to make.
Brinta
Albert Heijn describes Brinta Havermout, 450 g, as a product made with extra-fine oat flakes.
- According to the product information, this variety is made from 100% oat flakes.
- The pack warns that it may contain traces of wheat and rye; check the label if avoiding gluten is essential.
Golden Bridge
ALDI offers Golden Bridge wholegrain oats in fine and coarse varieties.
- The fine variety listed comes in a 500 g pack, making it handy for trying a particular oat texture first.
- If you’re looking for a larger pack, check the net weight of the variety you choose.
Crownfield
Crownfield is a Lidl brand to consider when comparing oats for breakfast.
- Lidl lists a 500 g pack of oat flakes.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions on the label of the pack you choose.
Oat packs at Joybuy
These Quaker packs let you choose between different amounts of plain oats and an Express variety. Choose a pack size that suits your family’s needs, and check that the Express variety’s preparation method fits your morning routine.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
A pack to use for making your own sweet breakfasts several times over. It contains 600 g; store the oats in a dry place according to the product information and seal the pack well after opening.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An Express variety to consider if convenience is important on busy mornings. The pack contains 324 g; check the preparation method on the pack and how many breakfasts you can make with it.
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Quaker Oatmeal 375 g
A smaller pack for trying oats in breakfasts you put together yourself, or if you don’t use much. It contains 375 g; compare this with the amount your family usually gets through.
Frequently asked questions
Can plain oats be the basis for a sweet family breakfast?
Yes. You can add your own fruit or cinnamon to plain wholegrain oats or oat flakes for a sweet flavour. The Voedingscentrum recommends checking breakfast cereals for added sugars and salt, too.
Are all oats suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing. If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, choose a pack carrying the official Crossed Grain symbol.
How should I store an opened large pack of oats?
Store the oats somewhere dry and seal the pack well after use. Also check the storage instructions on the pack you buy.
Is a large pack always more convenient than individual portions?
No. A large pack is best if you use oats regularly and have enough storage space. Pre-measured portions can be more convenient if you want to avoid measuring on busy mornings. Either way, check how many breakfasts the pack will provide for your household.